Local Family Walks Around Leicester Everyone Will Love

Best Walks in Leicester with Independent Local Businesses to Discover

One of the best ways to increase your daily activity is simply to go for a walk. Here in Leicester, we’re lucky to have some fantastic local parks and footpaths for you and your family to enjoy, all right on your doorstep.

As a personal trainer in Leicester for over fifteen years, one of the most common challenges I see in clients is increasing their activity outside of work and away from the gym, especially for parents with young children. Once work is finished and the kids are back from school, it can be hard to find extra time for movement, not just on weekdays but at weekends too.

Most kids are naturally active, but as any parent knows, it’s usually on their own terms, football practice, dance lessons, swimming clubs and so on. That often leaves us parents on the sidelines, holding bags, coats, and anything else they’ve handed over before running off. That’s why I believe it’s time to find ways to prioritise your needs too, while keeping things fun and enjoyable for the kids.

Family walks in Leicester parks are a brilliant way to do just that. They get everyone moving, and when you pick the right location, you can even enjoy the bonus of independent Leicester businesses nearby. One of the simplest ways to encourage activity is to add an incentive, maybe a good coffee, a slice of cake, or an ice cream. Let’s be honest: if the whole family is joining in, there needs to be something in it for everyone, and kids rarely say no to ice cream!

Here are three of the best family-friendly walks near Leicester city centre that I’ve personally enjoyed with my wife and son. Each one offers a lovely outing for the whole family, as well as small independent businesses that make the trip even more worthwhile.

1: Knighton Park
This is a personal favourite for me and my family. The park is right on our doorstep, and we often walk there with the dogs. It offers two main routes, giving you the choice of a shorter or longer walk. If you’re up for it, you can take the larger 2.5km route around the perimeter; if not, there’s a shorter 1.6km option.

One thing’s for sure, you won’t be disappointed by what the park has to offer. From beautiful trees and flowers to perfectly placed benches where you can pause and take it all in, it’s a lovely space to recharge.

To top it off, the park is also home to two small independent Leicester businesses, side by side, serving the local community. First, there’s Scruffy Thomas—a converted horsebox trailer—serving excellent coffee sourced from St Martins, Leicester’s finest independent coffee roaster. Right next to it, you’ll find an ice cream van, creating the perfect combination for families.

As a big fan of both coffee and the outdoors, I’ve even partnered with Scruffy Thomas. I offer all my clients a free coffee on their first visit, all they need to do is enjoy a walk around the park and then collect their drink. It’s such a simple, enjoyable activity that gets you moving and makes the experience even more rewarding.

2: Victoria Park
Victoria Park is one of Leicester’s most popular green spaces, known for its vast stretches of grass and long footpaths that seem to taper off into the distance. Lined with beautiful trees, particularly stunning in the autumn months, it’s no surprise the park has hosted countless festivals and live performances over the years. Its size and layout alone make it a must-visit location for a local walk.

Each week, Victoria Park also hosts a 5k Parkrun, attracting runners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned athletes. The event is fun, pressure-free, and inclusive, bringing together people of all ages and abilities. I even have two friends who take part every week with their babies in running buggies! One of the highlights of the Parkrun isn’t just the exercise itself but also the nearby independent businesses that runners (and walkers) head to afterwards for a well-earned treat.

Right across the road lies Clarendon Park, a well-known hotspot for coffee, food, and independent shops in Leicester. It’s here you’ll find some real gems that make a visit to Victoria Park even more enjoyable, not just for a run or a walk, but also for family time, a quick kickabout with the kids, or even exploring the historical sites at the far end of the park.

After some fresh air, it’s only right to reward yourself. For those with a sweet tooth, The Tiny Bakery is a local favourite, often with queues stretching around the corner as Parkrunners line up for their post-workout fix. If cupcakes are more your style, Cake Origin (just around the corner) serves up beautifully crafted treats. Coffee lovers are spoiled for choice too: The Northern Cobbler, Halcyon Kitchen, Cake Origin, and The Tiny Bakery all take pride in quality beans, skilled baristas, and attention to detail.

And for the parents, or anyone who simply loves ice cream, Gelato Village, the new kid on the block, is well worth a visit. It’s the perfect stop to keep little ones happy after they’ve burned off some energy in the park.

All of this makes Victoria Park an ideal spot to build more activity into your day while still indulging in some of life’s finer pleasures.

3: Aylestone Meadows
If you haven’t been to Aylestone Meadows, I hope this encourages you to visit, it truly is one of a kind, right in the heart of Leicester. You can enjoy a walk along the canal, or wander off the main paths and explore the wooded areas. As one of the city’s few remaining nature reserves, it’s home to a wide range of wildlife, including muntjac deer, rabbits, and birds of prey.

In the summer, there’s even more to see and do. Many Leicester locals take their children blackberry picking or fishing. The canal is also home to a popular spot known as Pebble Beach, where kids wade in with nets, catching small fish and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you go alone or bring the little ones, Aylestone Meadows won’t disappoint—it’s a place where you can easily spend hours exploring.

Supporting the community around the meadows are some fantastic independent Leicester businesses. Amoretti Coffee House is a favourite of mine for a coffee and a quick bite. Every visit I’ve made has been met with a big smile from the owner and a genuinely warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Another highlight is King’s Lock Tearooms. Perfectly located along the canal, with long stretches of footpaths in both directions, it makes the ideal pit stop for coffee, cake, or a light lunch.

So, if you’re looking for a rural-style walk surrounded by nature, without leaving the city, Aylestone Meadows is the place to go. With its variety of wildlife and two perfectly situated local businesses, it’s an ideal destination for walks, family days out, and outdoor activity.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, I hope it’s given you some new ideas. These independent local businesses make walks and weekend activities more enjoyable, turning them into experiences rather than just exercise. The key to building a healthier, more active lifestyle is to make it enjoyable, not just for ourselves, but for those we share our lives with. After all, it’s much easier to stay consistent with new habits when the people closest to us are enjoying them too.

Use the links below to checkout the opening hours and locations of the businesses highlighted above.

https://www.scruffythomas.co.uk/

https://kingslocktearooms.co.uk/

https://amoretticatering.com/our-coffee-shop

https://share.google/zzwCDHitKHtnP1ULm (The Tiny Bakery)

https://www.cakeorigin.com/

https://share.google/kTeoi1b1et3myRcKs (The Northern Cobbler)

https://halcyonkitchen.com/

https://www.stmartinscoffee.co.uk/