Thursday 18 August 2016

A cycle through the woods: A Thorpe Forest review

Cycle trailer at Forest Holidays

Our stay at Thorpe Forest was wonderful.  A true break away that left us relaxed and ready for.. well the rest of the summer holidays.  One of the activities we took part in was cycling through the forest and it was a lovely activity that we did everyday.

David and Jane shared a trailer and they both squealed and giggled as we set of from our cabin into the woods.  At first David was a little nervous and despite his constant giggling he looked over his shoulder fairly often to check I was still there for the first few minutes.  As a child with autism he can be scared or upset by new or different things.

However, he was able to see me through the back of the trailer and he was safely belted in so I was not too worried about him coming out.  After a short while he looked forward and just enjoyed the ride and was very happy every time we went out into the forest.

Cycling through Thorpe Forest

The scenery was beautiful and easy to take in at the leisurely pace of Anthony and my hubby towing the bike trailer.  We followed some of the Forest Trim Trail which led us in an easy loop around the woods.  It crossed a few paths and after we'd navigated around it once it was quite easy to follow new ones and still get back to the cabins.  When going deeper into the woods we were careful of the stinging nettles reaching out to catch kiddie ankles - its definitely worth pulling up your socks.

The forest was filled with beautiful tall trees such as sycamore and pine. Bushes, berries, birds and the odd bobbing dog walker could be spotted.  It was easy to be out for 10 minutes or an hour. With no times constraints we could run the activity as we wished.  We would watch to see if any of the boys were feeling tired or overwhelmed but it was very relaxed and mostly it was just a case of watching Anthony to see when he was starting to get physically tired so we knew when to head back.

Bikes at our cabin

You can either bring your own bikes or hire bikes through Forest Holidays.  The bikes at the centre have suspension and that was helpful as although most of the tracks were easy enough some of them were a little bumpy - after all we were cycling through the woods!    They come with helmets and locks.  All the cabins have bike racks for your store your bike on.

It's easy to add to your package and you can choose the size of your bike.  If you have a bike at home then it's easy to get the same size - just measure the length from the middle of the pedals to the seat post (where the seat fits into the bike).  We opted for the small kids bike and it was just big enough for our 8 year old son. Trailer and child seats for bikes are also available to hire and you can pay per 'stay'. Next year I think he would need the larger one.

We were provided with 2 adult bikes, a child's bike, a trailer by Forest Holidays.
This review is honest and independent and as always from
the view of a mum with autistic and neuro-typical kids.

Monkey and Mouse

21 comments:

  1. The forest looks really amazing! I dont know how to bike so that trailer would suit me! I love that photo too of your kids hugging while being there, so sweet!

    #ablogginggoodtime

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    1. Thanks, we had a great time. It's so nice to find an activity we can all do together! Thanks for commenting.

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  2. Sounds lovely. Can't beat a cycle in the woods with the family. I love getting out and about, especially if woods and mountains are involved!

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  3. This looks amazing, the scenery is wonderful. I can't wait till we can go biking with our kids. Will look this place up. #dreamteam

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  4. Thanks for sharing your review on #TriedTested this week x

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  5. Ooo looks really lovely. I am so tempted to get myself a bike when bubba is old enough for one too!
    Thanks for linking to #ablogginggoodtime

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  6. Sounds like it was a really amazing day for all of you :)

    #cuddlefairy

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  7. Oh sounds and looks wonderful! Being out in the fresh air is always a plus with my kids :) Thanks for linking up to #EatSleepBlogRt

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  8. I love a trip through the forest, so beautiful.
    #bestandworst

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  9. This sounds like such a fun time. I've seen those bike trailers for kids and always thought they looked really cool. Thanks for sharing #EatsleepblogRT

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  10. Forest looks lovely and sounds like you all had a lovely relaxing time #EatSleepBlogRT

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  11. Oh wow the forest looks like an amazing place to explore! The trailer is such a good idea and I love the first photo, so sweet :) #whatevertheweather

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  12. I'm popping back in from #DreamTeam Thanks so much for linking up with us. Hope that you come back next week. Enjoyed reading about your lovely family trip through the forrest!

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  13. This looks so lovely, we love exploring the great outdoors, your photos are gorgeous too! #bestandworst

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  14. Ah lovely to all get out and about in the woods and get active too :-) Love the pics. My girlie would love the trailer! Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x

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  15. It looks like a great place to go for a bike ride! I love the trailer and how sweet are they in the back! If we got a trailer for A to go in then I know his big brother would want a shot too, despite the fact he can cycle anyway! Thanks so much for linking up to #WHatevertheweather X

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  16. looks like a place me and my family would love. sounds ;like you had a great time! x
    #MarvMondays

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  17. Those pictures are gorgeous. It's been ages since I got on a bike but I know it'll happen as Mini R gets older. #KCACOLS

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  18. Looks like a lovely day out! It's great that you can actually hire bikes as well. I think the trailer ride is fun for kids, my kids would love that too. #KCACOLS.

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  19. What a lovely break away! I'm desperate to try a Forest holiday break and this looks lovely. We like a good bike ride through the forst when we can, although our littlest is probably too small for us to do this for a while now. Thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Emily

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  20. That sounds lovely and peaceful, just the kind of thing I need! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday

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