Quiet country lanes, muddy tyres, riverside picnics and five brilliant places to get the bikes out in Heartland Northumberland — each one with somewhere very good to stop for cake at the end of it.
There's something wonderfully simple about exploring Northumberland on two wheels.
No rushing from one attraction to the next, no complicated itinerary, just fresh air, quiet country lanes, muddy tyres, beautiful views and the inevitable family chorus of “Are we nearly there yet?”
While Northumberland's beaches might steal the summer spotlight, head inland and you'll discover another side of the county that's made for family adventures. Heartland Northumberland is a patchwork of pretty villages, rolling countryside, woodland, rivers and quiet lanes, with plenty of opportunities to get the bikes out and explore at your own pace.
And, of course, there's one very important part of any family cycling adventure…
Where are we stopping for cake?
Luckily, we have that bit covered
Five Running Fox sites across Northumberland — Felton, Longhoughton, Powburn, Longframlington and Kirkharle Courtyard — with free water refills at every one of them, so tired legs and empty bottles are never far from a rescue.
Why cycle in Heartland Northumberland?
Northumberland is a brilliant place to explore by bike, with hundreds of miles of cycling routes ranging from gentle family friendly paths to challenging off-road adventures.
But you don't need to be a serious cyclist to enjoy it.
For families, some of the best days are the simplest ones — a few miles through beautiful countryside, a village to explore, somewhere to stop for a picnic and plenty of time to discover what's around the next corner.
And because the countryside around the Coquet Valley is particularly peaceful, it makes a lovely change from busy roads and crowded attractions.
The River Coquet
The River Coquet winds its way through the heart of the valley, passing through Rothbury and some of Northumberland's most beautiful countryside. The area is popular with both walkers and cyclists and gives you that wonderful feeling of being properly away from it all.
Five places to get the bikes out
From a gentle riverside spin to big-sky lanes for confident young cyclists — and exactly which family each one suits.
1
Rothbury to Thropton
Best for: A gentler ride the whole family can manage
A family favourite.
If you're looking for a genuinely family-friendly place to start, Rothbury and Thropton are a brilliant choice.
Northumberland National Park has identified the Rothbury to Thropton River Route as a family route and accessible cycle route, making it one of the strongest options in the area for families looking for a gentler ride.
The route follows the beautiful River Coquet, with countryside views, open fields and plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the scenery. And that's exactly what we love about family cycling — it doesn't have to be about how many miles you can clock up.
And when everyone's legs are starting to feel it, head back towards Rothbury for something delicious. Rothbury itself is surrounded by countryside and has a lovely village atmosphere, with cafes, shops and places to stop for refreshments.
Running Fox tip: Make the ride part of a bigger family day out. Explore Rothbury, enjoy a little cycling along the river and then reward everyone with lunch, coffee and cake. Because we're firm believers that cake tastes better after you've earned it!
2
Felton & the Coquet
Best for: Families with younger children — countryside close to home
For families who don't want to commit to a long distance cycle.
Felton is a lovely place to start exploring. There are several routes around Felton and the River Coquet, including shorter options through the surrounding countryside and woodland — the sort of cycling we think works particularly well for families with younger children.
You can keep things flexible.
The beauty of a shorter ride is that the day doesn't have to revolve entirely around the bikes. You can combine a little cycling with a riverside walk, a picnic or a visit to one of the local attractions.
When you're ready for that all-important refuelling stop, you'll find us waiting at The Running Fox, Felton. Think freshly baked treats, proper coffee, generous lunches and the sort of food that makes tired cyclists very happy indeed.
3
Longframlington & the Coquet Valley
Best for: A base for exploring the quieter side of Northumberland
Just a little further inland.
Longframlington makes a great base for families wanting to explore the quieter side of Northumberland. The wider Coquet Valley stretches through some of the county's most beautiful landscapes, linking villages including Rothbury, Longframlington and Alwinton.
This is where you start to get that proper “Northumberland adventure” feeling. Think winding country roads, wide open views, stone villages, fields full of sheep and hills rising in the distance.
For younger children, we'd recommend keeping to shorter, quieter sections rather than attempting one of the longer road cycling routes. For families with older children or confident young cyclists, there are plenty of opportunities to make the ride longer and more adventurous.
And if you start or finish your adventure in Longframlington, there's an obvious place to refuel — The Running Fox. A very good reason to put the brakes on.
4
Powburn & the Breamish Valley
Best for: Adventurous families and confident young cyclists
If your children are a little older and comfortable on their bikes.
Head further north towards Powburn and the Breamish Valley. This is beautiful cycling country, with the Cheviot Hills providing an impressive backdrop and quiet countryside stretching in every direction.
For families, the real attraction here is the scenery. You can make the day less about reaching a particular destination and more about exploring.
And enjoy the feeling of having miles of Northumberland countryside almost to yourselves.
Some of the longer routes are better suited to fitter riders and e-bikes, so it's worth choosing your route carefully depending on the age and ability of your children.
When you're ready for a proper pit stop, The Running Fox at Powburn makes a brilliant place to recharge.
5
Kirkharle & the countryside beyond
Best for: Older children and confident cyclists
Another beautiful corner of Heartland Northumberland.
The countryside around Kirkharle is criss-crossed with quiet country roads and longer cycling routes, making it particularly appealing to families with older children and confident cyclists. There are routes connecting Kirkharle with surrounding villages including Capheaton and Matfen.
This is quintessential Northumberland cycling.
And when you've had enough pedalling, there's another very good reason to stop — The Running Fox at Kirkharle. Grab a coffee, settle down with lunch and let the children decide which cake they've earned.
Make a day of it
The bike ride doesn't have to be the whole day. Why not turn it into a proper Northumberland adventure?
Start with
breakfast
Get on
your bikes
Stop somewhere
beautiful
Explore
There is always something interesting hiding just off the roadFinish at The
Running Fox
And if you're visiting Northumberland on holiday, cycling is also a fantastic way to see a little more of the countryside without spending the whole day in the car.
A few tips for family cycling
Before you head off, a little preparation goes a long way.
And finally… don't worry about how far you've gone.
Family cycling isn't about breaking records. It's about getting outside together, discovering somewhere new and making memories along the way.
Your Northumberland adventure starts here
From the banks of the River Coquet to the rolling countryside around Powburn and Kirkharle, Heartland Northumberland is full of places waiting to be explored.
So dust off the bikes, pack a few snacks and set off to see where the road takes you.
And when little legs — or big ones — finally say they've had enough?
We'll have the coffee on.
The lunch ready. And quite possibly a rather large slice of cake waiting for you. See you at The Running Fox. 🦊
Before you set off: please always check the current route conditions, access restrictions and suitability of a route before setting off, particularly with younger children. Routes and conditions can change.
Image credits & licences
Countryside photography sourced from Wikimedia Commons and Geograph Britain and Ireland, reused under Creative Commons licences.
- Cyclists crossing Thropton Bridge (banner) © Russel Wills — CC BY-SA 2.0
- River Coquet at Rothbury © Andrew Curtis — CC BY-SA 2.0
- River Coquet, Felton © Graham Robson — CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sunrise in Holystone © LunaToastie — CC BY-SA 4.0
- Breamish valley above Ingram © Derek Harper — CC BY-SA 2.0
- Kirkharle © Peter McDermott — CC BY-SA 2.0
