Workington Pump Track — A Free Kids' Bike Day Out in the Lakes

Days Out · The Lakes

There's a stretch of old land next to the fire station in Moorclose that used to be nothing much at all. Now it's the best free thing to do with a bike in Workington — a proper tarmac pump track that draws balance-bikers, BMX kids and grown-ups pretending they've "just come to watch."

We took a bike (and a GoPro) up to the edge of the Lakes to find out whether it's worth the drive. Short answer: yes. Here's the honest run-down, plus the bikes that actually suit a session like this.

A lap of the Workington loop — GoPro, no edits.

The quick facts

• Where: Moorclose, Workington, Cumbria — on the old land beside the fire station.
• What it is: A smooth tarmac pump track — a continuous loop of berms, rollers and rhythm sections.
• The loop: Roughly 285–300m of track in a 65m × 40m footprint — and it rides differently in each direction.
• Cost: Free. Open all year, no booking.
• Built by: Clark & Kent Contractors, who've built pump tracks up and down the country.

What it's actually like to ride

Tarmac makes all the difference. There's no waiting for it to dry out, no ruts, and little ones can roll straight onto it on a balance bike without getting bogged down. The rollers are spaced so that once the penny drops — pump down, unweight up — you stop pedalling and let the track do the work. That's the addictive bit, and it's why you'll see the same kids going round for an hour straight.

It genuinely suits everyone. Novice riders can roll the whole thing slowly and never leave the ground; confident BMX and dirt-jump riders can pump for speed, carry the berms and start getting air over the bigger rollers. Take it steady the first few laps to learn the rhythm — then pick your line.

Which bike, and who it suits

You don't need anything fancy — but a lighter bike with grippy tyres and decent brakes turns a good session into a great one. A pump track rewards a bike that carries speed, so we'd point older kids at one of the bigger Shyre sizes. The Eastie is the natural fit for pumping and jumping, while the larger Hopton is brilliant for confident all-round riders. Both are light and punch well above their price:

For pumping & jumping

Shyre Eastie 24"

Mountain-bike geometry, grippy tyres and disc brakes — built to carry speed through the berms and take a jump.

£359.99

Shop the Eastie

For confident all-rounders

Shyre Hopton 26"

Featherlight with real gears — happy on the track, the towpath and the ride there. Our biggest wheel size.

£359.99

Shop the Hopton

Parent notes before you go

• Helmets on. It's tarmac and it's fast once they get going — a well-fitted helmet is non-negotiable. Knee and elbow pads are a smart shout for beginners.
• Parking. On-street around Moorclose; go early on a sunny weekend as it gets busy.
• Facilities. It's a community track, so bring your own water and snacks — there's nothing on site.
• Share the loop. One rider sets off at a time and everyone takes turns — the regulars are friendly, so just watch the rhythm and drop in.

Make a day of it

You're right on the edge of the Lake District here, so it's an easy add-on to a bigger day out. Run off the last of the energy at the track, then head for the coast at Workington or push inland toward Cockermouth and Bassenthwaite for a café stop and a proper Lakeland view. A pump-track morning and a lakeside afternoon is a hard day to beat.

The bit we love most

A patch of disused land turned into the busiest, happiest corner of Workington on a dry afternoon — free, open to everyone, and full of kids getting better lap by lap. That's exactly the kind of riding we're here for. More rolling, less scrolling.