Bolton Pump Track by Velosolutions

A concrete loop designed for bikes and skateboards rather than a nature reserve proper, though it sits in open Cumbrian countryside near Penrith. The pump track is exactly what it sounds like - a rolling course of berms and bumps you navigate without pedalling, using body weight and momentum to carry speed. Even absolute beginners can have a go, which is why families with kids aged six upwards tend to get the most from it.

You'll need your own bike or board, and there's a real buzz watching riders of all abilities find their flow. It's free to use and takes as little as twenty minutes or as long as you fancy - most people spend an hour before arms and legs decide they've had enough. The track's well-maintained and drains quickly after rain, so it's usable most days.

It works brilliantly as a half-day activity during a wider Lake District trip. Team it with Howdy Glamping or Wild Rose Holiday Park as your base, both within easy reach, and you've got something to tire the kids out while you're not hiking. Worth noting it's not a nature reserve in the traditional sense - there's no walking trails or wildlife watching. This is pure bike terrain. The location's genuine countryside though, so there's space to move about and breathe between runs.