Yr3 (ages 7/8) children - how much freedom?

[comeandsitonthecarpet]

OK, so I have name-changed for this as do not want to be outed. DS and friend both aged 7 were allowed to walk home from a fair along a track in the early evening. DS was with his dad last weekend and they had been to the fair with his father and his partner's family. All well and good. His dad, partner and family went home together to his partner's parents house. For some reason, DS and friend (a girl) were allowed to walk back to the house they were staying in for about 15 mins on the edge of a rural town in England. DS told me because he had been frightened as they had met 3 strangers separately on this one walk (one man, one lady and an an older boy on a bike). I am concerned as although we have spoken about "stranger danger" DS is only just 7 and very trusting. Would really appreciate what other parents think about this as I wonder if I am being too PFB?

Depends where it is and where you are. Pre mobiles I let my DS, DD and friends to go half a mile away to play in a stream. They loved it and I had a bell to call them back with for supper. They also played in the local woods. Didn't bother me but perhaps we were just lucky. And we're nowhere near cars which would.

My 7 yr old is allowed to walk the dog along the road and back. Just!

That is very dangerous.

It's a bit young. And quite ambitious for a "first time walking home alone" type thing - most kids do that on safe and familiar roads such as the one between school/local shop and home, and upgrade later to what you describe assuming they are confident and comfortable (age 9 maybe).