If you’re looking for a family friendly walk in the Bath area, then I have just the thing for you – the Bath Skyline. Now, you may well balk when I tell you that the Skyline is a six mile walk that takes up to four hours (I’m with you – there’s no way I’d consider attempting that with two young whippersnappers in tow). However, the walk can be broken up into shorter sections, meaning that the whole family can enjoy it, even if those little legs aren’t willing to wander far. 

The section of the Skyline that I’d recommend for families with young children is the area around Claverton Down. This is where we found ourselves last week. The Skyline is managed by the National Trust and, during school holidays (February to October), those lovely National Trust folk put on a little thing called Wild Wednesdays – a group that runs from 10:30-12:30pm providing nature themed activities for children (at a charge of £2 per child). What’s even better is that Wild Wednesdays takes place in a gorgeous area of woodland that has been transformed into an incredible woodland play area. So not only can you partake in such activities as potato printing, crown making and leaf collaging, you can also enjoy a scavenger hunt AND go crazy on an abundance of natural wooden play structures that are scattered amongst the trees in what was once a working quarry.

We’re talking a course of not just stepping stones, but stepping logs too, wobble beams, traverse ropes, a walk on see-saw, wooden hop-skotch, a winding woodland walk, a den building area, and an amazing rope swing! The Little Big One was in her element. 

As well as being home to an incredible adventure playground, this section of the Bath Skyline is also home to the Long Wood Elf and Fairy Foray. On the short amble through the woods to the play area (about 400m), there are 15 elf and fairy doors to be found. A great incentive to encourage little ones to stay on the ground (and off your shoulders!)

One thing to mention about the Bath Skyline is that there are no parking facilities. However, in the school holidays when Wild Wednesdays is running, the National Trust put on event parking at Ralph Allen School (the entrance to the Skyline walk from here is across the road, through a field, into the woods and around a 400m walk, which is where the elf and fairy trail comes in mighty handy). If you’re visiting outside of school holidays or at the weekend, you can park in the city centre and catch a bus to your desired starting point. This handy little guide has all the details you need. 

For more information on family friendly activities being run by the National Trust on the Bath Skyline, check out their Facebook page.