FALKIRK is globally renowned for sights such as the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel but what many people don’t realise is how easy (and, arguably, fun) it is to explore this compact town by bike. We took our children, aged seven and eight, along on a pedal-powered adventure.
DAY ONE
We parked up at the Falkirk Wheel where families can start the day by booking a boat trip on this iconic feat of Scottish engineering. Unsurprisingly, floating in a boat while suspended in mid-air appeals to children and adults alike.
The construction is phenomenal: 1200 tonnes of steel were used to create the wheel, uniting the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. Work started in 1998 and in 2002 the world’s first rotating boat lift opened to great acclaim. The wheel also offers an unusual water play area that explains the Archimedes principle to youngsters through play.
From the wheel, we cycled directly along smooth, flat canalside cycle paths for about 40 minutes to the mesmerising Kelpies, stopping to eat the fresh blackberries that were festooning the hedgerows en route.
While admiring Andy Scott’s 30-metre high equine sculptures from the outside is engaging and fulfilling, it’s also possible to book concise but fact-filled 30-minute tours inside the Kelpies to discover more. We learned about Andy Scott’s design process, the legacy and history of the Clydesdale horses that worked the canal, and appreciated the intricacy of the Kelpies from an entirely new internal perspective.
The sculptures are set within the modern and accessible Helix Ecopark. We pedalled a little further for the kids to play at the Helix’s vast, epic playground and, as the sun was beating down, the splash park was popular with children cooling down in the summer heat. Packing suncream, snacks and drinking water were absolute musts.
DAY TWO
A second fantastic cycling terrain we tackled with ease was the elegant Callendar Park. This family-friendly estate is a delight to peddle around. There’s an Antonine Wall-themed playground, a kid’s nature trail featuring natural wooden play equipment, plus woodland trails to follow, all joined up by accessible paths for cycling, walking, dog walking or running. Step inside Callendar House itself to take afternoon tea, learn more about the area and its industry, read up on Falkirk’s Roman history (little ones can even dress up as Roman soldiers), and visit the 1825 kitchen where costumed actors share stories about 19th century recipes and life below stairs.
From Callendar Park we cycled back into the town centre for a spot of shopping, we visited the tomb of William Wallace’s finest knight Sir John de Graham, and grabbed lunch in the hugely popular Behind the Wall bar and restaurant.
Ultimately we found that cycling enabled us to cover so much more ground with the kids compared to walking. It felt a more relaxed pace in comparison with driving, and it granted the children greater independence, fresh air and sense of achievement.
Perhaps it’s time to get your family back in the saddle this autumn?
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