Activities |

Harestanes Park Review For Families

March 3, 2025 by Ryan

If you are visiting the borders or live close to Jedburgh then we are a huge fan of Harestanes Park

We’ve been lucky enough to visit this gem twice—once in the summer of 2021 and again during the February half-term. The first time we went Matilda was 5 and Barney was 9 months old so it was an entirely different experience.

It’s become one of those places we wished we had on our doorstep. Unfortunately, it’s 4 hours away! Harestanes has it all—and it’s perfect for little adventurers of all ages.

Cragside National Trust Review For Families

February 27, 2025 by Ryan

Nestled in the heart of Northumberland, Cragside offers a perfect blend of history, innovation, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for families with children of all ages.

We visited Cragside in the February half term when on a short break to Northumberland. It’s a part of the country we love due to its expansive open land and beautiful scenery. Cragside didn’t disappoint on this.

With gardens, stately home, lakes, play parks and much more you could easily spend a couple of days exploring this National Trust location. Unfortunately, we only had a couple of hours but still managed to cram plenty into the trip.

Free Public Play Areas Within the Wakefield District

February 26, 2025February 25, 2025 by Ryan

$Pontefract Park Review$

As a Wakefield-based family, we love to explore the free public play areas within the district. The recurring theme with all the recommended parks is that they are completely free of charge and are open to all of the public.

We have chosen a breadth of options located within a 10-mile radius of the city centre so they appeal to all families within the district.

These spaces are managed by the local council and community organisations, ensuring accessibility for residents and visitors. Below is a detailed table of the identified play areas, their pros, cons, and overall ratings, reflecting their suitability for family outings. These ratings are based on our own experience. All free play areas are an asset to the community however some are better updated than others which is reflected in the reviews.

We have also included detailed information on each park as well as links to our reviews of specific parks. This is more extensive with photography from our own visit to the park. Even though we live here there are still parks we are yet to visit so stick with us!

Sandal Castle Review for Families

February 13, 2025 by Beth

I can’t believe we haven’t reviewed Sandal Castle – we have been here so many times and have so many memories here! It has been so nice looking at all our photos and choosing some to add to the article.

We live close to Sandal Castle and there are a few walking/cycling routes we can take to get there. We have visited at various different stages of our lives since we moved here…when we had Matilda and she was in a sling, then a pram, then running around, and then on her bike. We then had Barney and did all of the same but as a family of four. It is somewhere we have met with family and friends and I would say it is quite special to us for all of these reasons.

When Should a Child Learn to Ride a Bike?

February 10, 2025 by Ryan

What Age Should You Learn to ride a bike

Learning to ride a bike is a milestone in a child’s life, not just for the physical benefits but also for the confidence and independence it fosters. The question of when a child should learn to ride a bike really should be as EARLY as possible. Of course, we are biased here at Family Cycling 🙂

Our daughter was 4 years old when she was comfortable pedalling, and our son is of a similar age and can cycle, too (although he needs a little more persuasion).

But the question of when is the best age for a child to begin cycling, and how to support them through the process, is one that many parents face.

While the age range can vary depending on the child, evidence suggests that starting early can be immensely beneficial.

In this article, we explore the optimal ages, key stages, and the importance of early cycling, with insights from the UK and other successful countries, including the Netherlands and the Nordic region.

Case Study: Walking & Cycling to Secondary School – Can we get to 60%?

February 6, 2025February 5, 2025 by Ryan

As part of our case study into walking and cycling, we wanted to look at the impact of getting more secondary school students to walk or cycle to school.

The numbers are currently ‘ok’ but should be better. At secondary school age, the freedom and autonomy of cycling/walking to school should be something that is embraced. But what impact could it have on emissions, air quality and the level of cars on the road? Not only that but can it have a positive impact on the mental and physical health of our teenagers?

The scenario-based case study below looks at an 18% rise in students embracing active travel across England to get to and from school.

The elephant in the room when it comes to cars is that we have too many people driving. We haven’t the space or infrastructure to accommodate the level of journeys via car and as such congestion will get worse before getting better.

Let’s dive into the numbers, shall we?

Case Study: The Impact of Switching to Cycling for Short Family Journeys

February 4, 2025 by Ryan

I’ve always been a fan of case studies. They are an excellent way for someone to visualise a situation and are incredibly relatable.

We’ve banged the drum about the importance of cycling to school for the children and parents alike. The data shows it benefits your kids hugely and I have two examples of my own children who couldn’t visualise any other way to get to school, whether via bike or on foot. Once the habits are ingrained they are difficult to break.

But what about specific numbers and outcomes, and how can we make YOU want to do the same? Introducing our case study series. These will document real-life & fictional families and the benefits of switching your lifestyle to one which is more active. These will look at the financial, social and health benefits of doing so. Not only that but the time angle where if you provide your kids with the tools for independence early, it’s something which will benefit you as adults too in the long run!

New Financed Car vs a Second-hand car – Why you should switch? (and cycle too!)

February 6, 2025January 28, 2025 by Ryan

As you may or may not have worked out I’m not a huge fan of car finance deals and PCPS’s. They trap many people into incredibly expensive finance deals and burden them with huge monthly payments. They are inflexible and unnecessary. Most of the recent tech with cars is tech for the sake of it! I’d much prefer to have the money in my pocket to shape my life in different ways.

In the years of low interest rates, you could argue that having a brand-new car with a monthly payment was worth it. I think those days are gone now. Your typical car finance is nearly 6.9% and many families face the burden of hefty car finance payments, often exceeding £400 per month. With rising living costs and the growing cost of living crisis, more people are questioning whether a new, financed car is truly worth the expense. I would recommend all families question the popular narrative and look at the difference it could make to their lives if they opt out of this.

Families can enjoy significant financial, health, and social benefits by opting for a reliable second-hand vehicle and incorporating cycling into daily routines.

Let’s explore this transformational shift in depth and provide several scenarios to help you make what I believe is a life-changing decision for your health and your wealth.

Best Places to Teach a Child to Ride a Bike in West Yorkshire

January 28, 2025January 27, 2025 by Ryan

Teaching your child to ride a bike is one of the most rewarding experiences you can share as a parent. It’s a rite of passage that builds confidence, encourages physical activity, and opens the door to a lifetime of adventures.

We taught our daughter in lockdown 2020. She had just turned 4 and we were able to take advantage of the quiet streets and car parks to teach her with ease. It’s a little more challenging in normal times.

With pavement parked cars, busy streets and traffic it’s a real challenge to give your child the wings of cycling unaided to set them free.

Finding the right place to start can make all the difference and since we have started to teach Barney we’ve realised these things need to be carefully thought through!

That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best spots in West Yorkshire to help your child take those first wobbly pedals free from traffic and the pressures of other road users. We’ve tested many local spots to find the best places for beginners and the list we have below are just some of our favourites. You’ll understand the types of places we are looking at and maybe be able to find similar ones closer to your home. Most of these are within a 20-minute radius of our home and are regular, familiar places to get started.

The key? Flat, even paths and plenty of space to practice. Here are our top recommendations, along with tips to make it into an entire day of fun versus a grind for you and your child.

Spurn National Nature Reserve Review for Families

January 24, 2025 by Ryan

One of our hobbies as parents is to find all the awesome things to do within a radius of our home. We live in West Yorkshire which is geographically strong. It’s landlocked but is in the middle of the country meaning you can get places quite easily.

A place which has piqued my interest which we’ve never quite been able to get to is Spurn Point in East Yorkshire. It takes approximately 2 hours from home, which is too far for a day trip. Fortunately, over the Christmas school break, we stayed close to Beverley for a few nights and knew we had to take the trip to Spurn National Nature Reserve.

It’s one of those places when you look on a map you feel you have to go. It jets out from the East Coast and is a small slither of land. It’s quite a wonder, to be honest!

Spurn Point offers an unforgettable mix of natural beauty, history, and hands-on exploration that captivates children and adults alike. Here’s our full review based on our visit over the Christmas school holidays.