A new nationwide survey by leading outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse has uncovered the real recipe for a typical British family walk, and while it’s not always smooth sailing, the rewards make it all worthwhile.

According to the findings, the average family walk lasts 1 hour and 11 minutes, includes up to two tantrums, involves picking up three random items, and requires at least two snacks per child to avoid total meltdown.

Despite the challenges of getting everyone out of the house, nearly 80% of parents believe that time spent outdoors strengthens family bonds, especially those with toddlers (87%). The top benefits include quality time together (46%), staying active (42%), getting out of the house (41%), improved mental wellbeing (39%), time away from screens (26%) and a better chance to talk (23%).

The Mountain Warehouse Family Walk Formula:
1 hour and 11 minutes is the sweet spot – go any longer and expect complaints, chaos or both.
The first tantrum typically erupts just 19 minutes in – barely enough time to leave the car park.
“I’m too tired,” “it’s too long,” and “I need the toilet” top the tantrum charts.
1 in 3 parents bring 2–3 snacks per child – with fruit (30%), crisps (29%) and sandwiches (25%) topping the list, it’s practically a picnic.
Nearly half of parents (49%) end up carrying all the bags. A quarter (24%) end up carrying the child and their rock collection.
Kids pick up an average of three random items per walk – usually sticks, flowers or rocks… but 1 in 10 end up pocketing rubbish, dirt or old wrappers too.
Only 18% of family walks go as planned. The biggest culprits behind early turnarounds? Bad weather (46%), snack shortages and urgent toilet breaks.
35% say a walk isn’t complete without the dog, though the dog never demands to be carried.

But the typical formula can differ depending on where we live. Parents in the North are far more likely to head out without a plan (32%) compared to those in the South (21%), whether that’s tactical optimism or just northern grit is up for debate. Meanwhile, families in Northern Ireland are the most outdoorsy, with many heading out at least once a day. At the other end of the scale, Yorkshire and Humberside rank lowest for outdoor activity, with 1 in 8 admitting they never take part at all.

And while families everywhere agree on the benefits, location still matters. The countryside tops the list as the ideal walk setting (19%), followed closely by local parks (15%) and beachside strolls (14%).

Ashley James, broadcaster and model, puts the family walk formula to the test with her children, Alfie (4) and Ada (2). She said: “I lead such a busy life now, and my husband does too, which is why we cherish the time we spend together as a family so much. Getting outside in nature when we can, even if it’s just the local park, is so important to us. No screens, no tech, just us enjoying time together.

But getting out of the house for a proper family walk isn’t without its challenges… Between trying to leave the house without someone losing a shoe, refereeing sibling squabbles and somehow ending up carrying four jackets, two scooters and a pinecone collection… It’s a full-on expedition! But Mountain Warehouse has us covered for our little adventures – helping us feel prepared, whatever the weather and whatever mood the kids are in. Despite the chaos, it’s worth it every time.”

To help more families enjoy the benefits of outdoor time with less stress, Mountain Warehouse has shared a list of the UK’s best family-friendly walks.

Mountain Warehouse’s top 10 UK family walks:
Whitlingham Country Park Circular, Norwich
Wollaton Park Deer Walk, Nottingham
Llyn Padarn Circular (Llanberis), North Wales
Giant’s Causeway Trail, Bushmills
Phoenix Park Deer Walk, Dublin
Jesmond Dene Woodland Trail, Newcastle
Heaton Park Circular, Manchester
Sennen Cove to Land’s End Walk, Cornwall
Roundhay Park Lake Walk, Leeds
Tentsmuir Forest Trail, Fife

Mark Neale, Founder & CEO at Mountain Warehouse, said: “The great outdoors brings families together, even if it doesn’t always go to plan. We created the Family Walk Formula to shine a light on the fun, the challenges and the real-life moments that come with every family outing. At Mountain Warehouse, we’re here to support those everyday adventures with great kit for the whole family, including the dog.”

For more information and a list of the UK’s best family walks, visit: https://www.mountainwarehouse.com/community/walking-3/the-family-walk-formula/