Bike recommendations please

[OneKhakiDreamer]

Hi All my 4yo has just learnt to ride a bike I am beyond proud and I would love nothing more to cycle alongside him once his confidence and mine is more. So I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on type of bike to go for. I have not owned a bike since I was a child myself so I am also a beginner I guess but it will mainly be for things like center parcs or parks opposed to commuting/serious biking.

if makes any difference I’m 5ft 3. Sorry I have no idea of bikes!

TIA

PS. Bonus if I can fit a seat of some sort for my baby (8 months) but probably be 1yo when I start taking him with us.

Your best bet is to go to a local bike shop (a proper one, not Halfords) and have a look at a few. There are lots of different styles of bike and what's right for you will depend on things like what kind of terrain you'll be mainly riding on, what riding position you prefer, and of course your budget.
As a general rule, I'd always advise someone to get the lightest bike they can afford as weight really does make a difference. If you buy a really cheap, heavy bike that you find difficult to ride you won't enjoy it and it's likely to end up languishing in the garden shed before too long so a complete waste of money. It's often better to cash out a bit more if it means that you actually use the bike and get your money's worth out of it.
I'd look for something with an aluminium frame and from what you're saying I'd imagine you'll probably want flat handlebars and a fairly upright riding position.
Something like this Liv Alight might suit you. It's basic but should do what you need.
https://www.liv-cycling.com/gb/alight-3
There are other versions with a cross bar rather than a step through frame, which you might find harder to ride initially but could be better if you want to fit a child seat at some point.
If you're likely to be riding off road more than on tarmac you might want to look for a bike with front suspension. But if you don't actually need it, don't get it. Having suspension adds weight, price and complexity to a bike - it's another thing to go wrong and which needs servicing. Brilliant if you actually do the kind of riding that benefits from suspension, pain in the neck if you don't! Same goes for disc brakes really. Most "serious" cyclists opt for discs these days but for riding round the park with a small child they're probably overkill and again they cost more and require more maintainance than rim brakes.
I'd go for something simple but well made from a reputable brand. If you get into cycling you can upgrade to a better bike later. You almost always get a lot more bike for your money if you buy second hand but you do need to know what you're looking at. As a complete beginner you might be better off buying new unless you know someone knowledgeable who can help you. But nothing beats actually trying a few different bikes to get the feel of what might suit you so try to find a decent bike shop and test a few different models. Good luck!

I was just coming on to say a Liv Alight and have been beaten to it. As a short person myself the Liv bikes are great.

Thank you both so much! Especially @MrsAvocet so detailed!

I can get a bike on cycle to work scheme so seems like that could save me some money and think your right about getting cheap Halfords one.

i went to a local bike shop for my son and they recommended squish and it’s been amazing took him no time at all to learn and one of main things was they said to go lightweight. So might go back to them for my bike as I’m sure I saw they did cycle 2 work too!

liv alight does look fantastic though so a good start to maybe see what bike shops stock that so can try out :)

That's good OP, a decent bike shop is a great resource especially if you are new to cycling and will need help with servicing your bike etc. I would suggest that there are a few basic skills you should learn that will make your cycling easier and less stressful - as a minimum, how inflate your tyres to the right pressure, how to change an inner tube, how to put the chain back on if it falls off and how to clean your bike and lubricate the chain. Always carry a spare inner tube and the equipment to change it - it will all fit in a little saddle bag or your pockets and honestly you will feel so much more confident about riding if you know you can deal with a puncture.
Wash your bike regularly. You don't need to take the wheels out and do a full deep clean every time you ride especially in dry weather but I see so many people on bikes that look like they've never ever been washed. And then they wonder why it's hard to turn the pedals whilst the chain is completely covered in gunk or rusty! Keeping the bike generally clean and especially keeping the the chain, the chainrings that your pedals attach to, the cogs on the back wheel and the gear change mechanism clean and well lubricated will keep things running smoothly and extend the life of your bike's components. As time goes on there are other useful checks and bits of maintenance that you can learn to do yourself if you want, but you don't have to, just take it to the bike shop for servicing. Too many people just buy a bike and think that's it, it never needs any maintenance. But like any mechanical thing a bike does need a bit of care and if you look after it it will look after you. Honesty, keeping it clean, the tyres pumped up and the chain clean and lubricated takes very little time and will potentially save you a lot of trouble.
Incidentally, great choice with the Squish. I coach the youngest kids at our local cycling club and in my opinion they are the best on the market for that age group currently. Happy cycling, it's a lovely hobby.

Look for your nearest Giant bike shop (they’re the Liv manufacturer) , they have a lot of shops around the country. That would be your best bet.

Congrats on your little one learning to ride! For park and family rides, focus on comfort and stability. A lightweight bike with simple gears and responsive brakes works well. At 5ft 3, test a 14–16 inch frame for a good fit. You can also look for the best bike attachments for kids to safely carry your 8‑month-old when they turn one.