to take kids to school using only rural footpaths to avoid buying second car!

[Feminine]

We are moving super rural.

The school is not that far, but as title suggests we will walk through fields!

Apparently it is doable (from local footpath expert in area) in fact he is working on improving the paths as I type.

Does anyone do this? I know areas vary so much ....but I want to rule out that I am not being silly.

DH will take the car and I don't want to have to drive.

I like walking to school

stunning I don't want to have to drive/have second car.

Its so expensive, parking in limited outside our home and at the school.

Plus I really love walking

You could get two kids on one of these:

www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=74458

It is a 20" frame though, not sure how tall you are.

Thanks stunning, I'll have a look later :)

Pushing a buggy over fields will definitely keep you fit - really do your homework on what you get as it has to work in a variety of conditions.

Also in the Winter,bear in mind that a walk across the fields can be bitter,compared with on the pavements in the warmer micro-climate that a house lined street seems to provide.

A house with a good porch for muddy and wet clothes,boots and buggy would be a VERY good idea!

I don't think anyone has pointed this out already but try and find out if the footpaths are well-used and well maintained. Depending on the area, you might get a farmer deciding it's ok to plough over a footpath through a field or a path through a wild area may quickly get overgrown in the summer if it isn't being used regularly and/or cut back. Chances are it won't be a problem but worth bearing in mind.

What about the rest of the day- if you are very rural how Will you get to shops, doctors appts, take 3 year old to toddler groups/ playdates, go to the bank/ post office, meet up with friends, etc?

I was just about to mention that funnily enough Cake.

I think there are rules concerning farmers and ploughing paths - I believe they have to return them to path within a set time.But it can cause huge ankle breaker clumps for a short while and serious mud for longer.

Also rut maintenance will be very useful if considering a buggy.

A field of rape can be quite difficult and scratchy and wet to get through if the path is narrow,and thistles can be a nightmare too!

I would explore these things with the footpath expert.

lived for several years in north of scotland, if school statrts at 9pm and finishes 3pm you would need torch in north scotland for December/ January

nowhere in UK so dark before 4pm that you could not see where you are going but it is dusk so hi vis stripes on their jackets will be good and wellies

I walked to school (10minutes upto 11) 25 minutes 12-18 every day there and back whatever the weather, up until 10 years ago maybe 15 that is what every child did

in most rural areas there is school bus which may pick up at gate or nearest road junction need to be 2-3 miles away by road or in scotland upto 11 a shorter distance if no footpath beside road

if there is a public foot path through a field it is supposed to be mown so not waist high in foliage

you could probably leave a pair of day shoes at school rather than carry backwards and forwards

just go for it, if weather truly atrocious ( i mean blizzard proper gale or hailstones) you could get a taxi or at worst take Dh to work use car for school run and then pick Dh upagain at 5-6pm whatever