There is a distinct magic to the British summer. It is not found in guaranteed sunshine, but in the sudden, glorious breaks in the clouds, the smell of hot tarmac yielding to damp bracken, and the chaotic, hopeful ritual of cramming the car boot with waterproofs, picnic rugs, and enough snacks to cross a continent.
As Marketing Manager for Drivalia UK, I spend my days thinking about the mechanics of journeys, the right vehicle, and the smoothest booking.
The truth is that the best part of any drive is where the road runs out. This summer, as the staycation keeps its rightful place in our plans, the true luxury is the freedom to chuck the family in the car and find a quiet corner of the countryside.
Here are five of the finest, family-tested walks across Britain. They are short enough to keep the complaints at bay, but wild enough to feel like a proper adventure.
1. The Gentle Classic: Tarn Hows, Lake District
Distance: 1.8 miles (Circular) | Difficulty: Easy (Buggy-friendly)
If you want to introduce your children to the poetry of the Lake District without subjecting them to a gruelling ascent, Tarn Hows is your absolute best bet. Donated to the National Trust by Beatrix Potter, this man-made body of water looks entirely and convincingly natural.
The tranquil, buggy-friendly paths of Tarn Hows. Source: National Trust
The path is a well-maintained, gravelled loop that accommodates sturdy pushchairs and reluctant toddlers alike. Framed by the craggy peaks of the Coniston hills and the Langdale Pikes in the distance, it delivers high-drama scenery for very little physical effort. Pack a flask of tea and let the children skim stones while you soak in the fell views.
The Drive: The approach from Coniston or Ambleside involves some deliciously winding, narrow Lake District lanes. If you have rented an SUV for the trip, you will appreciate the elevated driving position here. Picking up your car hire in Lancaster with Drivalia puts you straight onto the M6 gateway to the Lakes, with the fells less than an hour up the road.
2. The Stepping Stone Thrill: Dovedale, Peak District
Distance: 2 to 3 miles (Out and back) | Difficulty: Moderate (Stepping stones require balance)
There is something universally appealing about crossing water on foot. At Dovedale, the River Dove cuts a dramatic, limestone-flanked ravine through the Peak District, but the star attraction for younger walkers is the famous sequence of stepping stones.
The famous stepping stones across the River Dove. Source: History Hit
Once you have crossed the stones (prepare for a short queue on sunny weekends, as it is a rite of passage), the path snakes alongside the river beneath towering limestone crags like Lover’s Leap and Ilam Rock. It is a landscape that feels almost prehistoric, perfect for stoking young imaginations. The terrain is largely flat alongside the river, making it an easy ramble before heading back the way you came.
The Drive: Dovedale is easily accessible from the M1 or M6, making it a brilliant day-trip intercept if you are driving between the north and south.
3. The Coastal Reward: Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
Distance: 1 mile (each way from Stackpole Quay) | Difficulty: Moderate (Uneven coastal path and steps)
You cannot drive directly to Barafundle Bay, and that is precisely what keeps it so pristine. Consistently voted one of the best beaches in the world, let alone Wales, it requires a short but spectacular yomp along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path to reach it.
The golden, isolated sands of Barafundle Bay. Source: Visit Pembrokeshire
Park at Stackpole Quay, haul your beach gear up the cliff steps, and walk across the grassy headland. The moment the bay reveals itself, a crescent of golden sand flanked by pine-topped cliffs and lapped by water that looks surprisingly Caribbean, is pure magic. The walk down the stone steps onto the beach feels like arriving at a secret island.
The Drive: Pembrokeshire’s coastal roads are sweeping and scenic. You will want a comfortable ride with plenty of boot space, because by the time you leave Barafundle, you will be carrying half the beach’s sand back with you.
4. The Highland Time Machine: Loch an Eilein, Cairngorms
Distance: 3 miles (Circular) | Difficulty: Easy (Flat and sheltered)
If you are venturing north of the border, the Cairngorms offer a scale of wilderness that is hard to find elsewhere in the UK. Yet Loch an Eilein (literally “Loch of the Island”) remains incredibly accessible for little legs.
The 13th-century island castle ruin at Loch an Eilein. Source: Rothiemurchus
Sheltered by the ancient Caledonian pines of the Rothiemurchus estate, the flat path hugs the edge of the water. The undeniable highlight is the brooding, 13th-century ruined castle sitting on a tiny island in the middle of the loch. It looks like something pulled straight from a fantasy novel, guaranteed to spark a few pirate or knight and dragon stories on the way round.
The Drive: The sweeping, cinematic curves of the A9 through the Scottish Highlands are what driving was invented for. You will want a spacious estate car with enough room for the obligatory mid-journey picnic and changing weather gear.
5. Walking Among Giants: Tall Trees Trail, New Forest
Distance: 1.5 miles (Circular) | Difficulty: Easy (Flat, wide gravel paths)
Down on the south coast, the New Forest offers a completely different kind of drama. The Blackwater Arboretum’s Tall Trees Trail is a short, deeply sensory walk through majestic conifers planted in the 1850s, including towering Douglas firs and colossal redwoods.
Walking among giants on the Tall Trees Trail. Source: New Forest
The path is wide, flat, and forgiving, making it perfect for buggy-pushers and small children who like to wander off the track to inspect pinecones. Beyond the sheer scale of the canopy above, the New Forest’s greatest trump card for families is the wildlife, as you have a very high chance of encountering the free-roaming wild ponies grazing between the trees.
The Drive: The M27 gives way quickly to the dappled, canopy-covered lanes of Hampshire. A quiet, smooth-riding EV from our fleet is perfect here, allowing you to glide through the ancient woodland with the windows down, breathing in the pine scent without disturbing the livestock.
Ready for the Road with Drivalia
If you need a spacious estate for the dog and the walking boots, or a comfortable SUV to command the winding country lanes, having the right car turns a stressful journey into part of the holiday. At Drivalia UK, we are here to help you get out there and find your own slice of the great British summer. Book your vehicle today, pop the keys in the ignition, and let’s go.
Written by Danny Green, Marketing Manager