Rother Valley Country Park Cycling Review For Families

Rother Valley Country Park is located near Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, just off the M1 at Junction 31, only a short drive away from the popular Gulliver’s Valley theme park. The park spans 750 acres, offering a mix of lakes, woodlands, and trails perfect for a family cycling day out.

Brief History

As is commonplace in a lot of South Yorkshire, Rother Valley Country Park was created in the 1980s on land previously used for opencast coal mining. The River Rother, which runs through the park, was rerouted in the 1950s to facilitate mining, and the excavated sites were later flooded to form the park’s four lakes.

Route Description and Highlights

Rother Valley offers several cycling trails, with the Green Cycle Route and Blue Trail being most suitable for younger children. 

The Green Cycle Route is a 5 km flat, all-weather loop around the two main lakes, featuring smooth, wide gravel paths that are easy to navigate. The route takes about 30 minutes at a gentle pace, with benches for breaks, although we managed it round without needing one, especially if you set off clockwise from the car park so the finish is at the playground for extra incentive!

The Blue Trail (Axel Trail), a 4.2 km extension, is slightly more adventurous but still accessible for kids. It crosses the River Rother via the A-frame bridge by the playground. The Blue Trail introduces gentle turns and varied terrain to build confidence. It consists of a steady climb up, and then a fairly open trail through the forest. Both trails are waymarked with coloured posts, although I found it not as clearly marked as the trails in Sherwood. There is a map of the routes available for free on the Rother Valley website here

Ride Suitability

The Green Cycle Route is perfect for beginners and young children, and is one of the smoothest trails I’ve been on. Its flat, all-weather surface suits all bike types, including those with trailers or training wheels. Most of it is tarmacked or smooth gravel trails, making it very easy for little legs to make progress. 

The Blue Trail, graded moderate, is suitable for kids ready for a bit more challenge, with some uneven sections and gentle inclines that might require a push for younger riders on single-speed bikes. Both trails are entirely traffic-free, minimising hazards, but parents should watch for other users like walkers or dogs on the Green route, especially on busier days.

Facilities and Amenities

Rother Valley Country Park is well-equipped, there is a café, toilets, a playground and a cycle hire. Everything is located in the central courtyard. The park features play areas and miniature train, keeping kids entertained off the bike as well. Water sports, paddleboarding, and an aqua park add extra activities for older kids, though these will cost extra. From our cycle route of the lake they looked really fun though, with lots of waterski jumps!

Suitability for Children

Rother Valley is highly suitable for younger children. The Green Cycle Route’s 5 km length and flat terrain make it ideal for kids on balance bikes or single-speeds, taking about 30-40 minutes  with breaks. The Blue Trail (4.2 km) adds a bit more challenge but remains manageable for children aged 7–8 who are gaining confidence, though very young riders might need assistance on uneven sections.

Is There a Cafe?

Yes, there’s a café located near the visitor centre. The food and drink there is very reasonable as well, you’re talking £2-3 for a coffee, £4 for a beef burger, they also do hot and cold sandwiches. Plenty of cold drinks and ice creams as well. It opens at 08:30 and has indoor and outdoor seating with views of the lakes. It can get busy on weekends, with waits of 15–20 minutes during peak times, so bringing snacks is a good backup. Prices are typical for a park café—expect £2–£5 for drinks or snacks.

How Much is it?

Entry to Rother Valley Country Park is free, but parking fees apply: 

Parking is as follows:

Up to 1 hour £1.80

Up to 2 hours £2.90

Up to 3 hours £3.90

Up to 4 hours £4.90

Up to 5 hours £5.90

Over 5 hours / day £6.50

Bike hire from the Cycle Centre is affordable, with children’s bikes typically £10–£15 per day and family bikes or trailers slightly more (exact rates may vary, so check on-site). As mentioned previously, café costs are around £2–£5 per item, though bringing a picnic can save you money. Additional activities like the miniature train or water sports have separate fees, but please check they are running on the day that you are going if you are wanting to do these.

Final Thoughts

Rother Valley Country Park is great, the Green cycle route is one of the smoothest we’ve been on, and there’s plenty of facilities for a great day out! Very handy to get to, just a short distance away from the M1.

Pros & Cons

Cycle route enjoyment rating

Last Updated on April 28, 2025 by Ryan