Finding cycle routes suitable for kids in the capital is not the easiest thing. You can of course just plot your route using Google Maps’ cycling option, but it’s highly likely that the “cycle lane” will lead you and the family onto congested roads at some point. It is possible to cycle traffic-free in London though, so check our seven family-friendly cycling paths suitable for even the youngest members of the family!
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is one of the most child-friendly parks in London with several family bike ride options. It’s less manicured than the Central London parks, like Hyde Park and Regent’s Park, but on the other hand, you get to see wild deer roaming freely!
If you’re not bringing your own bike, you can rent one from Roehampton Gate where they also have plenty of options for children including, seats, trailers and tag-a-longs. Check the official visitor map to make sure you stay on the designated cycle paths and remember that pedestrians have priority.
- Distance: 9 km
Highlights:
- Roehampton Cycle Hire
- Pen Ponds Cafe
- Wild deer that roam freely around
- Isabella Plantation
- Pembroke Lodge
- King Henry’s Mound
Lewisham to Sydenham via River Pool
If you live in South East London, here’s a good one for you! Starting from Ladywell Station in Lewisham there’s a connecting chain of traffic-free parks going south along Pool River and Ravensbourne Gardens. Actually, you can cycle all the way from Deptford Creek by the Thames and follow the river south to Lower Sydenham. The route is called the Waterlink Way and Lewisham Council has made an excellent map highlighting the best cycling route, and how to negotiate the few points that are not traffic-free.
- Distance: 5 km
- Web: https://lewisham.gov.uk/
Highlights:
- Ladywell Fields Adventure Playground
- Ravensbourne Park Gardens
- River Pool Linear Park
- Bellingham Play Park
Thames Path from Tower Bridge to North Greenwich
The Thames Path is our favourite family cycling route, although it can get really busy during summer weekends. Pedestrians take priority, and when cycling with small children it can be difficult to go slalom between everyone strolling along the river. The cycling route is not entirely traffic-free as you will have to use some side-streets here and there, but these are usually without much traffic.
If you’re interested in British maritime history, the route takes you past several points of interest like the Mayflower Pub, the Docks, Deptford Wharf, Cutty Sark and the Old Naval College. If you’re going with kids, stopping by Surrey Docks Farm is a good option, as well as the Children’s Gallery in the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Distance: 13 km
Highlights of the Thames Path (going eastward)
- Tower Bridge
- Shad Thames
- The Mayflower Pub
- Brunel Museum
- The Salt Quay Pub
- Surrey Docks Farm
- Greenland and South Docks Marina
- Cutty Sark
- The National Maritime Museum
- Old Naval College
- The 02 Arena, North Greenwich
Battersea Park Circular Cycle Route
The only issue cycling in Battersea Park is that there are so many cool things for kids to see that you’ll be tempted to stop all the time 🙂 From Go Ape and play areas to the Children’s Zoo and a Boating Lake, you’ll find plenty of kids activities to fill the day. Renting bikes is very expensive, but if you haven’t tried riding a recumbent before, this might be a good time to test it out! The park gets really busy during weekends, so make sure to stay on the designated paths when plotting your cycle route through Battersea.
- Distance: 2 km
- Web: https://www.letsride.co.uk/
Highlights:
- Battersea Park Children’s Zoo
- Australian Memorial Garden
- Pear Tree Cafe
- Rosery Gardens
- Boating Lake
- Battersea Play Park
- Go Ape Battersea Park
- Old English Garden
Central London family-friendly cycle route
We wouldn’t recommend cycling through Central London’s with kids, except for this specific mostly traffic-free route. Riding through London’s most scenic of cycle routes, you’ll be tempted to make frequent stops to absorb all the glorious Royal splendour. You’ll take advantage of Central London’s green belt, cycling through four Royal Parks; Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Green Park and St James’s Park. Rent a “Boris-bike“, keep your journeys under 30 minutes and you’ll get the most cost-efficient sightseeing trip you can get in the capital!
- Distance: 13 km
- Web: https://www.letsride.co.uk/
Highlights
- Diana Memorial Garden
- Kensington Palace
- The Albert Memorial
- Princess Diana Memorial Fountain
- Wellington Arch
- Buckingham Palace
- 10 Downing Street
- Speakers’ Corner
- Serpentine Gallery
Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden Lock
Little Venice does not look like the original Venice, but it’s a nice little neighbourhood with narrowboats on the canals and terraced Georgian and Victorian houses typical for the area. Regent’s Canal is very unique, and thanks to the towpaths that were once constructed for horses to tow barges we can now enjoy a wonderful traffic-free cycling route between East and West London.
The path is not exactly as wide as a boulevard, so be careful not to manoeuvre into the wet elements. You can’t be too much in a hurry cycling this route, so take your time and get off the bike if too crowded. We have just highlighted the cycling route from Little Venice to Camden Lock, but if you could like to continue on further you can cycle canalside all the way to East End and the Limehouse Basin by the Thames.
Distance: 5 km
Web: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/
Highlights
- Little Venice
- Grove House
- London Zoo
- Regent’s Park
- Primrose Hill Playground
- Camden Lock
- Camden Market
Following River Lea and Lee Valley from Stratford to Waltham Cross
This is the longest family cycle route on our list, and it starts from the modern-looking Queen Elisabeth Olympic Park, featuring impressive venues like the London Aquatics Centre built for the 2012 London Olympics. The route takes you north following River Lea, which played a significant role historically as the border river between Saxon Wessex and Viking Danelaw in East Anglia. Luckily most of the cycle route is on the western side of the river, so you’re safe from bloodthirsty Vikings 😉
On route to Waltham Abbey, a traditional market-town, you’ll pass a number of wetland reservoirs supplying London with freshwater.
Distance: 21 km
Highlights
- Queen Elizabeth Park
- Olympic Swimming Pool
- London Aquatics Centre
- River Lea
- Walthamstow Wetlands
- Waltham Abbey
Do you have a favourite cycle route for kids in London? Let us know in the comments!