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Original poster

2.2 mile walk to primary school - doable?

68 replies

cheeseismydownfall · 01/11/2018 17:52

We will be moving soon and will be just over 2 miles away from the kids (10, 8 and 6) primary school. We are totally car dependent where we are now and all of our fitness has suffered for it, so I'd really like to get back to walking to school. Do you think that distance is realistic? We would have a car as a backup in case of terrible weather etc. Anyone else do this with primary age DCs?

OP posts:
bichonbaby · 01/11/2018 17:54

That's about 45 mins each way? Would they be able to walk that far and you would have to walk home again from school so double for you?

formerbabe · 01/11/2018 17:56

No, I don't think that's doable...as a one off, fine. Everyday in all weathers, then I think it will be a nightmare to be honest.

AamdC · 01/11/2018 17:57

My sons primary school was a two mile walk away it was mainly uphill too i used to get a taxi if dh was on early shifts and walk back

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Believeitornot · 01/11/2018 17:57

It depends on the walk!! If it was fairly flat then yes I’d walk there and probably collect in the car to get them home, weather dependent.

NicoAndTheNiners · 01/11/2018 17:58

Could you cycle? Scooter?

JellySlice · 01/11/2018 17:58

If it's a pleasant walk, then totally do-able and a nice time to spend with children. But if it's main roads or fast country lanes, not so nice or relaxing.

And what about cold, rainy, miserable weather?

Cyclingpast · 01/11/2018 17:58

Of course it'd doable, depends on whether you want to do it....could you cycle instead if you don't want to walk?

MrsMartinRohde · 01/11/2018 18:01

we live that far from my boys' primary. we get the bus. they've walked it a few times but it takes them 45 mins (alone I do it in 35) and it's very hilly. my boys were 8 and 6 last time we walked. it's not something I could commit to as a regular thing, even though it's unquestionably more pleasant than the bus (and takes about the same length of time on the way back, because of slow bus/traffic).

woolduvet · 01/11/2018 18:15

Could you Park half way and walk

Upslidedown · 01/11/2018 18:23

I live that far. DS is only five but I don't think it's doable. Come next summer I'm planning to drive in the morning then walk and get him in the afternoon but that's because it's a nice walk.

Today it was just above freezing and drizzling when we got in the car for the eight minute drive. No way would I want to walk that, even with teenage DDS1 let alone DS.

MiddlingMum · 01/11/2018 18:54

Of course it's doable. The reason lots of children are unfit, and are starting to become overweight and develop various other health problems is that people think walking a couple of miles is unusual.

Just invest in some waterproofs for wet days, and enjoy the chats you have going backwards and forwards. Give them a good breakfast and take a couple of healthy snacks in the afternoon.

A friend of mine used to walk nearly three miles to school with her children, then run home, doing the reverse in the afternoons. The children were incredibly healthy and hardly ever got colds and bugs.

Many walking groups will suggest that children can walk as many miles as their years, so a five year old will be able to walk five miles.

formerbabe · 01/11/2018 18:58

Of course it's doable. The reason lots of children are unfit, and are starting to become overweight and develop various other health problems is that people think walking a couple of miles is unusual

This sort of reply always pops up on these kind of threads.

Saying just over 2 miles doesn't sound like a lot but if you put two points you know into Google maps so you can get an idea of distance, it shows you actually how far it is.

rightreckoner · 01/11/2018 18:59

Of course it’s literally doable but it means you are taking three hours a day just to deal with getting to school (presuming you walk back also). If you have any other goals in your life then I wouldn’t countenance that.

halcyondays · 01/11/2018 19:05

Don't children under 8 get free transport if they're more than two miles from school?

It will take absolutely ages to walk that far with kids and even longer for the parent to walk back as well.

LittleBookofCalm · 01/11/2018 19:05

i would drive half way or cycle, 45 minutes is a long walk for little legs. we used to walk 15 minutes, and that took 30 minutes!

Dumbledoresgirl · 01/11/2018 19:05

I am a big walker but the time factor would be my major consideration too. I think you should look into cycling it. Most schools have somewhere to leave bikes and that way you are getting in the fitness training without spending 3 hours a day (or however long) walking to and fro. I regularly cycle 6 miles in half an hour so I reckon your children could do 2 miles in 15 minutes, a much more manageable time.

LittleBookofCalm · 01/11/2018 19:08

A walk home would be great imo

TeenTimesTwo · 01/11/2018 19:09

Walk in morning and car in afternoon.

Drive half way and walk.

Cycle / scoot.

Spamfrittersforeveryone · 01/11/2018 19:11

The walk wouldn’t be a problem here but the time would. You’d be spending three hours every day walking!

youarenotkiddingme · 01/11/2018 19:14

IIRC if the LA can't provide a school within 2 miles for children under 8 they have to provide transport.

So to me that says they think it's too far for them to walk.

Based on that I'd say it's worth maybe doing trip home for now and building on it so in a few years time you can all manage the distance twice a day.

shiningstar2 · 01/11/2018 19:17

The 6 year old might struggle. Also timing in the morning. I wouldn't want them arriving cold hurried and stressed (those mornings when one or another can't find stuff ext ext.) and you have another long journey back. Walking is great exercise though. For me it would be car in the morning and walk back. No hurry, can chat about their day and chill out when they get in the house.

driggle · 01/11/2018 19:23

We're 2.6 miles from DS school and I wouldn't do it. I've walked there and collected him a few times as it can be a nice walk back together depending on the time of year but I couldn't do it everyday. It would take much longer with children and as PP has mentioned, you'd spend 3 hours everyday just on school runs.

Bryna · 01/11/2018 19:25

It is very doable my children have all walked that distance from 3 when starting nursery. I wasn’t working at the time, so no need to rush off anywhere afterwards. For the eldest it was the best thing as she needed that wind down from school. It’s no fun when it’s pouring down, but you’ve already said you’ve got a car as a back up!

plaidlife · 01/11/2018 19:28

I think in most weather a bike would be doable, in nice weather walking would be possible and in really grotty weather I would drive.

frogsoup · 01/11/2018 19:35

We live a mile from school and that is far enough. Normally we cycle. Walking on a sunny summer afternoon is lovely. Today we walked home in the cold, dark and wet (at 6pm from after-school club) and it was thoroughly miserable. As for the 'i walked 16 miles to school and I never caught a cold' school of hard knocks, I bet they don't willingly walk 4 miles every day as adults. A 2 or even a 5-mile walk is fine once in a while, but twice a day in all weathers is a pretty shitty thing to expect of a 6yo if there are alternatives available.