Cycling at Kingsbury Water Park With Kids: A Family Day Out
Days Out · Warwickshire
Two boys, fifteen lakes and no cars: a day at Kingsbury Water Park
Some days you want a mountain and some days you just want flat, easy miles where the kids can ride and ride without a hill or a car in sight. Kingsbury Water Park is firmly in the second camp, and it's about an hour from home, so this time we took Albie and Bobby and made a proper day of it.
If you've not been, it's a big country park up in North Warwickshire, near Tamworth, built around fifteen lakes with something like fifteen miles of flat, surfaced, traffic-free paths threading between them. That combination is gold for families. There's enough space that two excitable boys can be let off the leash, and enough going on, water, boats, birds, that they don't get bored of pedalling.
Just add two bikes and a flask
We parked up near the visitor centre, sorted helmets and a shared bag of snacks, and rolled straight out onto the paths. The beauty of Kingsbury is that you don't need a plan. You just follow a path, pick a lake, and see where it takes you. Lose the thread and you're never far from a sign or another family pointing you the right way.
The boys, of course, turned the whole thing into a race within about ninety seconds. That's the joy of somewhere this flat and this safe: they could go for it, chase each other round the water, skid to a halt to look at a swan, and set off again, and we could actually relax and let them, because there was nothing to run into but the odd dog walker.
More than just a lap of the lakes
What makes Kingsbury work for a full day is that it isn't only cycling. When the legs wanted a break we stopped at one of the big play areas near the car park, which bought us a solid half hour of climbing frames while we sat with a coffee. There are ducks and geese to feed, bird hides for the patient ones, and enough picnic benches that you can always find a spot for lunch by the water.
You can keep the riding as gentle or as long as you like. The main surfaced loops are pram-and-beginner smooth, and if you want a bit more there's a rougher bridleway round the southern edge for older, more confident riders. We stuck to the smooth stuff, linked a few laps together, and by mid-afternoon had covered a genuinely respectable distance without either boy noticing they'd done it. That's the trick with flat, traffic-free miles.
Why the light bike matters here
A place like this is exactly where a light bike pays off. There are no descents to be brave on and no rocks to soak up, so it isn't about suspension. It's about the boys being able to cover distance for hours without flagging, and being light enough to sprint, stop and mess about for the fun of it. Albie was on his blue Hopton, our lightweight hybrid, and he was still racing at three in the afternoon. On a heavy supermarket bike that day ends at lunchtime with a grump and a lift home. That's the whole reason we build them light, and Kingsbury shows it off perfectly.
The right bike for flat, easy miles
You don't need a mountain bike for Kingsbury. A light hybrid is ideal for the smooth, flat paths, and a balance bike is perfect for the littlest ones on the sections near the centre.
Handy to know before you go
- Where it is. North Warwickshire, near Tamworth, just off the A51 and close to the M42. Roughly an hour from Shropshire.
- Parking. There's a large pay-and-display car park by the visitor centre. Take some change or check the app, and go earlier on sunny weekends when it fills up.
- It's flat and traffic-free. The main surfaced paths are ideal for beginners and balance bikes. The southern bridleway is rougher if you want more.
- Facilities are good. Visitor centre, café, toilets, two big play areas and loads of picnic benches, so it works for a whole day and mixed ages.
- No bike that day? Cycle hire runs at weekends and school holidays, though bringing your own light bike is far nicer.
- Water everywhere. Fifteen lakes means lots of edges. Keep younger riders on the path side and stay close near the water.
Full details, opening times and prices are on the official Warwickshire County Council Kingsbury Water Park page.
A few common questions
Is Kingsbury Water Park good for young children cycling?
Yes, it's one of the best around. The main paths are flat, surfaced and traffic-free, which is exactly what young and beginner riders need, and there are play areas and a café for when little legs need a break.
How far can you cycle at Kingsbury Water Park?
There are around 15 miles of flat, traffic-free paths, so you can do a short gentle loop or link several together for a proper ride. It's very easy to keep it short and turn back whenever you like.
Do you need a mountain bike?
No. The main paths are smooth and flat, so a light hybrid or even a balance bike is ideal. There's a rougher bridleway round the southern edge if you want something more, but you don't need suspension.
Is there parking and are there facilities?
Yes, there's a large pay-and-display car park by the visitor centre, along with a café, toilets, two play areas and plenty of picnic spots. Check the official Warwickshire County Council page for current prices and opening times.
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