The weather has been hitting high temperatures this week with Friday set to be a scorcher at 30C in Nottingham. It can be a struggle to think of something to do when the weather is good and little ones need entertaining.
Although exercise is the last thing you may feel like doing in hot weather, the city has some gorgeous riverside walks which are perfect for good weather. Just make sure you grab some suncream before you start.
There are plenty of options to choose from including canalside strolls in Beeston, pub stops in Gunthorpe or grabbing an ice cream by the River Trent. We've narrowed down the best options for your walk from an impressively large list of places to go. We've also noted where to stop for ice cream or an icy cold pint.
1 - The canal walk
The walk officially starts by Canalhouse bar on Canal street by crossing over the bridge on to the left-hand side of the canal. The walk doesn't need to stop at Beeston by the tram stop as it continues on but it's a great place to stop for little legs who might be getting tired.
The canal walk from the city centre to Beeston is very accessible on foot and the path is also quite shady so you can stay out of the heat. It can get quite busy so prepare to watch out for passing cyclists or other pedestrians.
At the midway point, there is a clear path that leads to Sainsbury's at Castle Marina retail park where you can divert for ice cream before taking a second to enjoy the canal boats go past.
2 - Colwick Park
Colwick Park isn't technically a river walk but it has a little bit of everything so it's a great day out, especially for families. There is some parking but it can get really busy so it's worth planning your trip ahead of time.
There has been a lot of work at the park in recent months aimed at making a smooth path for walkers, especially those who use wheelchairs or buggies. The result is a very accessible walk perfect for summer strolls with plenty of space to stop and admire the surroundings.
There are a lot of activities around the park which you can book to do such as archery, wild swimming or even an obstacle course. While these activities may have a booking fee, there are plenty of free activities that you can take part in. It's the perfect space to pack a picnic, play football or feed the ducks.
3 - Stoke Bardolph
Stoke Bardolph is a pleasant place to go for a riverside walk. It measures 4.5 miles in total so it's a good workout if you have the energy in the sun. It does take place on footpaths so is accessible although it's worth noting that there is very little cover if the weather was to turn or if you burn easily.
There is also plenty of wildlife to spot from water birds both native and migratory but also frogs on occasion, too. In summer, there are different butterflies to watch. If you need to rest, the Ferry Boat Inn can be found on the route and it has an indoor soft children's playroom so that the little ones can stay entertained while the adults have a well-deserved drink, or two.
4 - Gunthorpe
The Gunthorpe walk takes in the sights of the River Trent starting at the village before finishing at the Gunthorpe bridge, lock and weir. It's also really easy to stop off and enjoy the neighbouring villages in East Bridgford and Shelford.
It's a particularly great spot for dog walking - and it's cyclist-friendly, too. It's a busy lock, so visitors will be able to see boats this time of year and the onsite lock keeper. It is also possible to book a boat if you fancy doing more than just a walk by the river.
As the walk is outside of Nottingham it's worth noting that there is a car park, although the busy lock can mean getting there before the crowd for a spot.
5 - Trent Bridge
The Trent river walk is a lovely space for an afternoon stroll starting out by the Brewhouse Bar and Kitchen before heading towards Beeston or the playground. The walk should take about an hour pending on strolling speed, but there is plenty to take in as you go, including the war memorial and commemorative gardens.
The river is home to many different species of birds and wildlife which makes it a fun place to walk. There are plenty of swans dotted around the river, too.
A pro-tip to remember is that the walk past the playground pops up by the Meadows tram stop. If you keep walking past the trams and over the bridge then you can come to Riverside Farm pub near Riverside retail park. The pub has a full menu of pub classics including jacket potatoes but it's really worth a stop for the slices of incredibly large cakes they have on display inside.
