Things to do at Half Term: Family Walks Across the UK

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Parents probably won’t need reminding, but half term is coming!

The good news is the forecast (if we can rely on it!) is predicting plenty of sunshine around the UK. Make sure you’re prepared to get out and about with one of our family-friendly walking guides!

All of these titles from our Kiddiwalks series are packed with child-friendly walks, plus loads of other exciting activities to look out for along the way! And with a large range to choose from, there's sure to be guide for your local area.

Family Walks in the South East

Kiddiwalks in Hampshire & the New Forest

Discover the mizmaze of St Catherine's Hill; a Bronze Age boat and round house at Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve; learn about the smugglers of Burley and life in a Victorian kitchen at Beaulieu; conquer mysterious castle ruins at Portchester and Odiham; visit a steam railway at Alresford, and a silk mill at Whitchurch. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in Oxfordshire

The specially selected routes give children the opportunity to race up and down the sides of Watlington Hill; spot birds and animals at Foxholes Nature Reserve; hunt for mini beasts in the beetle banks at Badbury Clump; feed the ducks on the Oxford Canals; explore the ruins of Abingdon Abbey, and discover a mysterious statue in Park Wood at Mapledurham. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in East Sussex

Get stuck into coastal walks at Birling Gap, Eastbourne and Cuckmere Haven; woodland walks at Crowhurst, Guestling and Forest Row, follies at Brightling and the fairytale castle at Bodiam. The routes here are simple, short and a winner with kids. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in the Chilterns

Explore the Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve and the magnificent Tree Cathedral at Whipsnade; enjoy wonderful views from the Ridgeway and Ivinghoe Beacon and the ancient castle ruins at Wallingford. There is also the chance to visit Pitstone windmill. Children can have have fun and learn about natural history.

The walks vary in length between 1 and 5 miles and there is a recommended pub, cafe or picnic spot near every route. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in Hertfordshire

Discover the homes of Winnie the Pooh and his friends in 100 Acre Wood in Aldenham Country Park; follow the sculpture trail in Broxbourne Wood to find a Roman soldier; watch the colourful narrowboats go through the locks on the Grand Union Canal; feed the ducks on the millpond at Norton Bury; and visit the Forge Museum in Much Hadham to see a real blacksmith at work. Find out more and buy it now

Family Walks in the North

Kiddiwalks in Cumbria & the Lake District

Here you'll find 20 safe walks in the wonderful landscape of Cumbria and the Lake District, devised with children in mind. Packed with fun things to see and do, each route in this book offers a great outing.Along the way children can hunt for the stone circle on Birkrigg common at Bardsea; scramble over Biskey Howe at Bowness-on-Windermere; investigate Kendal castle; discover the secret Japanese garden at Eskdale Green; explore the Lacy's Caves and find the secrets it keeps. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in Cheshire

The routes are simple with not too many hills and climbs and most are less than 3 miles. There are nature trails, rocks to scramble over, wide open spaces, birds to spot, places to fly kites and of course refreshment stops - from tea gardens and ice creams to cafés and family friendly pubs with good food.

Discover the magic and mystery of the massive woods at Alderley Edge; the herds of red and fallow deer at Lyme Park; the huge canal lock complex at Audlem; a walk along the walls of Roman Chester; and a host of other great outings. Find out more and buy it now

Family Walks in the Midlands

Kiddiwalks in Lincolnshire

Explore the "English rainforest" at Willingham Woods, the dambusters' den at Ostler's Plantation, sand dunes and seagulls at Gibraltar point and scret hideaway at Deeping Lakes. 20 safe child-friendly walks in the beautiful Lincolnshire countryside, devised especially with children in mind. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in the Peak District

There are 20 circular routes here, with birds to spot, ducks to feed, standing stones and caves to investigate, and ancient hill forts and ruins to conquer.

Scramble up Crook Hill and see the breathtaking view from the twin gritstone peaks; see the boulders at Dovestone Reservoir, said to be the result of two giants fighting; and visit the monument of the Duke of Wellington, hero of Waterloo. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in the Shropshire

Conquer the Iron Age hill forts on The Wrekin and Bury Ditches; investigate the quarry at Llanymynech Rocks and imagine life as a miner; search for fossils on Wenlock Edge; explore the secret rooms and spooky staircases of Ludlow Castle; discover the mysterious tower on Selattyn Hill; feed the ducks at Ellesmere; and wonder at a full-sized mammoth skeleton at the Secret Hills Discovery Centre at Craven Arms.

These are all simple routes (most are less than 3 miles) with recommended refreshment stops - from tea gardens and ice creams to cafés and family-friendly pubs with good food. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in & around Birmingham

A selection of 20 short and safe family walks in and around Birmingham. Top recommendations include zip wires and stepping stones at Cannock Chase; a search for the wolf spider plus the chance to wave at chugging canal boats by Pooley Fields; the magical woodland area of Lickey Hills; and the peaceful perimeter trail of the vast Shustoke Reservoir. Find out more and buy it now

Family Walks in East Anglia

Kiddiwalks in Norfolk

These child-friendly Norfolks walks are between 1 and 4 miles, and offer plenty of variety. The specially selected routes give children the opportunity to spot birds, animals and insects in the woods of Rishbeth, Foxley and Wolferton; explore the dunes and play on the beach at Winterton Dunes; investigate the castle ruins at Buckenham; play Pooh sticks on the River Tas as Caistor St Edmund and feed the ducks on the River Wensum at Ringland. There is also the chance to visit the grounds and imposing Palladian mansion of Holkham Hall. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in Suffolk

Get out in the beautiful Suffolk countryside with this book of 20 family-friendly walks. Each route is packed with fun things to see and do, with the opportunity to spot birds, insects and other animals, identify trees and wild flowers; feed ducks and swans; and explore ancient forests and beaches.

Visit Clare Castle Country Park and discover the castle ruins; learn how flour is made at Pakenham Watermill; climb the ruins of the Norman castle at Eye, or perhaps try your hand at crabbing at Walberswick. Find out more and buy it now

Kiddiwalks in Cambridgeshire

Run up and down the slopes at Barnack's Hills and Holes Nature Reserve; spot birds and animals in Aversley Wood; play Pooh Sticks at Houghton Meadow; and feed ducks at Ferry Meadows Country Park.

There is also the chance to visit Wandlebury Country Park on the Gog Magog Hills and discover an ancient hill fort, an underground ice house and the grave of an Arabian stallion; watch students punt along the river at Grantchester Meadows; and explore the historic village of Kimbolton. Find out more and buy it now

Family Walks in the South West

Kiddiwalks in Dorset

Make the most of the school break with this family-friendly guide to getting out and about in Dorset. There are nature trails to follow, beaches to investigate, wide open spaces to run in, birds to spot, and ancient ruins to explore. All walks also have a recommended café or family friendly pub serving good food!

Highlights include the great ramparts of Bradbury Rings where legend has it that King Arthur defeated the Saxons; the sea and sand of Lulworth Cove; the superb walk to the top of Golden Cap with views across the whole of Lyme Bay; and a host of other wonderful outings for the whole family. Find out more and buy it now