The Regional Park has lots of facilities (buggy-friendly paths, baby change tables, high chairs), events (minibeast hunting, pond dipping, Xmas decorations) and activities such as Multi Activity weeks for children aged 8+, kayaking and sailing courses, suitable for families of all ages. Many are free and can be done at anytime, it all makes for a memorable day out in the countryside.
Here are some family friendly suggestions:
At Castle Semple:
- Do the Semple Trail ‘Kids Passport‘
- Look for the carved wildlife benches on the Lochshore Path
- Feed the ducks and swans (get your bread wet first!)
- Explore the rhododendron maze in Parkhill Wood.
- Hire a bike (charges apply and suitable weather conditions).
- Learn how to canoe, kayak, sail or navigate – courses start from £15 per person
and last from 2 hours to 2 days.
At Muirshiel:
- Climb a volcano – Windy Hill is a family friendly 316m high, the walk starts at 235m, so it’s not too big a climb for views of Glasgow and Loch Lomond on a clear day.
- Follow the woodland trails to find carvings – giant mushrooms and owls.
- Listen for cuckoos in April and May, or collect conkers in the autumn.
- Pack a picnic or book a BBQ site, it’s only £12 to hire.
- Seek out the Forest Folk, this is a NEW trail!
At Greenock Cut:
- Come into the Centre before your walk or cycle to see the exhibition and learn how and why the Cut was constructed.
- Watch ‘Swallowcam’ LIVE in the Visitor Centre during the nesting seasons.
- Explore the Shielhill Glen Nature Trail and find all the Wood Spirits.
- Look for minibeasts at the pond or hunt for dragonflies along the Cut on sunny days.
- Pack a picnic or book a BBQ site – free to hire.
At Lunderston Bay:
- Build a sandcastle on the beach or fly a kite on the grass
- A good bird watching venue – look for gannets diving off shore in summer and large flocks of ducks in the winter
- Volunteer to help the Rangers with the quarterly clean up of the beach
- Bring a bike and cycle off road along the coastal cycle track towards Inverkip or Gourock