Wrangling a family out of the house and onto bikes for a day is never as straightforward as it sounds, especially if you’re a family of mixed-ability cyclists. Choosing to ride at a trail centre can make it that little bit easier with a range of trails, cafes, easy parking and, most importantly, toilets.
If you’re planning to head out this summer, here’s our guide to some of the UK’s best trail centres for families.
We’ve selected some of the best trail centres for family riding. We’ve prioritised centres with good, family-friendly trails and accessible facilities, and paid special attention to those that offer hire of adaptive bikes.
We’ve also outlined the basics of a trail centre, including trail grading, and tips on how to have the best time possible.
For more information on trail centres in each nation of the UK, you can check out our guides to trail centres in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you’re new to mountain biking, check out our guide on how to start mountain biking for absolute beginners.
What is a trail centre?
While there are plenty of family-friendly places to cycle across the UK, purpose-built and well-maintained trail centres are a one-stop destination for off-road cycling.
Found throughout the UK, they generally have a range of trails from green (beginner) to red or black (more technically demanding).
The nature of the trails will depend on the local terrain, but they are built to welcome a range of riding skillsets and abilities.
If you’re visiting as a family, the attraction of a trail centre may well be in the off-bike facilities they offer. At a minimum, you can expect plenty of parking (although it often comes at a price), a cafe and toilet facilities.
Forestry England is rolling out Changing Places disabled changing facilities at its forest centres, and is working hard to provide accessible cycling trails at its trail centres.
Many trail centres boast a bike shop, bike hire and bike cleaning facilities. Some have a mechanic on site for emergency repairs, while others have tool stations to assist you in making your own repairs.
While you always need to ride to your own ability and the prevailing weather conditions, choosing to ride at a trail centre gives peace of mind that the trail will be built safely and there will be no unexpected features.
If you’re looking to build confidence or skills, have a look at the riding groups, guides and coaching that are often available at trail centres.
Top tips for riding at trail centres
- Make sure your bike is in good working order and suitable for the riding available
- Always wear a helmet. If you’re hiring a bike, check the hire centre provides them or take your own for comfort
- Take plenty of water and snacks for out on the trails
- Check out the trails and facilities on offer beforehand to make sure it has what you need
- Ride within your ability and don’t be afraid to stop and walk if you’re uncomfortable
- Be polite and respectful to other trail users – many ‘family’ trails are shared with walkers and horse riders
- Check the weather forecast and bring waterproofs and/or a change of clothes for afterwards
Trail-centre grading
Each trail centre will use the same colour-coding system so you know which are the easiest and hardest in that location. However, there is no unified classification across the country, so it’s not possible to say that a green trail will be the same everywhere.
Instead, trail centres offer descriptions of each trail, including features you’ll encounter, length and amount of climbing or descending. Some trail centres will have a ‘test’ feature at the start of the trail, which can be used as a benchmark for the remainder of the trail.
Another benefit of trail centres is that many of the runs are all-weather and hold up to winter riding better than natural trails.
Trail-centre difficulty ratings – what do they mean?
- 🟢 Green: the easiest trails, both in length and features. These trails are often wide and flow easily. They have relatively smooth terrain. Generally aimed at beginners and novices
- 🔵 Blue: intermediate trails for those with some bike skills, looking to progress. They may include berms (banked corners) and rollers
- 🔴 Red: difficult trails for confident riders with good skills. Depending on the location, these trails will include features where your wheels leave the ground
- ⚫️ Black: the hardest trails, for experienced mountain bikers. These trails will require a high level of off-road handling skills. Pay attention to trail descriptions, including whether features are avoidable
Family-friendly trail centres in the UK
Best family-friendly trail centres in England
Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest, Kent
Bedgebury offers a scenic 9km family trail that can be split into shorter loops, plus 13km of singletrack. Facilities include a café, toilets (including Changing Places), parking and other non-cycling activities for a full family day out.
Swinley Forest and Bike Hub, Surrey
Swinley is home to 24km of green, blue and red trails, with on-site bike hire, a bike shop and cleaning facilities. There’s a great café, parking and coaching available at The Summit for growing riders.
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest, Dorset
This accessible cycling hub includes graded blue trails and a Wheels for All centre. With bike hire, a café, Changing Places facilities and ample parking, it’s a welcoming spot for riders of all ages and abilities.
Lanhydrock House and Garden, Cornwall
Lanhydrock has green to red trails, a multi-use route and recumbent trike hire. Facilities include a bike shop with repairs, accessible toilets, a café and generous parking, all set in beautiful National Trust grounds.
Blickling House and Garden, Norfolk
Blickling offers family-friendly cycling on non-graded trails, including a four-mile all-weather loop suitable for trailers, ebikes and mobility vehicles. Bike hire includes balance bikes, trailers and recumbents, with scenic routes across historic parkland.
Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire
With trails from green to black, Sherwood Pines caters to all riders. There’s bike hire, an easy-access route, a Changing Places facility, café and plenty of parking.
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Gloucestershire
The Forest of Dean boasts graded trails and an accessible MTB route – plus lots of off-piste riding and uplift days for more adventurous and experienced riders. Bike hire, repair shop, café, bike wash and Changing Places toilets are all available, making this a versatile base for family riding.
Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
Cannock Chase offers green to black trails and a traffic-free multi-use path. Expect cycle hire, a welcoming café and well-maintained facilities, all set in a sprawling woodland that’s popular with both beginners and enthusiasts.
Grizedale Forest, Cumbria
Grizedale features forest roads and blue to black trails, plus bike hire, toilets and a picnic area. It’s an ideal stop for a relaxed ride with younger family members or a more adventurous spin.
Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire
Dalby’s extensive trail network runs from green to black, with adaptive bike hire, coaching, a shop, café, bike wash and Changing Places toilets. It’s one of the UK’s best-equipped centres for inclusive family cycling.
Best family-friendly trail centres in Scotland
Glentress, Tweed Valley
Glentress is a flagship trail centre with routes from green to black, plus bike hire, a shop, a great café and accessible toilets. It’s well suited to beginners, progressing riders and families wanting a challenge.
Laggan Wolftrax, Highlands
Laggan offers a wide mix of trails and fantastic mountain views. With a cosy café, toilets and showers on site, it’s a remote but rewarding destination in a beautiful part of the world for families seeking a more rugged Scottish riding experience.
Best family-friendly trail centres in Wales
BikePark Wales, South Wales
Better known for gravity trails, BikePark Wales also offers green and accessible options. Families will appreciate the bike hire, repairs, uplift service, bike wash and on-site café. It's a great spot for growing confidence.
One Planet Adventure, Llandegla, North Wales
Llandegla is a versatile centre with graded trails and off-piste options. The bike shop, hire, café and coaching make it a favourite for both first-timers and more experienced riders looking for progression.
Best family-friendly trail centres in Northern Ireland
Gortin Glen Forest Park, County Tyrone
Gortin Glen offers blue and red routes, bike hire, a wash station and café. Its peaceful setting and manageable trail network make it a great place for families looking for a low-key riding experience.
Castlewellan, County Down
Castlewellan has trails from green to black, with bike hire and mountain bike coaching available. Set in a beautiful forest park, it’s an excellent choice for a varied day out with riders of all skill levels.
