I grew up within the Dartmoor National Park, and have always led an outdoor life full of appreciation for the natural world and the beauty of our countryside. I always knew that I would want my own children to display this same interest, and now living in Hampshire and having two girls aged nine and six, I find our weekly walks are the ultimate way for them to engage with nature. When our children first began to join us on walks, however, I found that we were always visiting the same tried-and-tested outdoor spaces.

We wanted new places to explore, but when I searched online, the walks that I found were often too long, too challenging, or no good for the pushchair we had at the time. So I set out to solve the problem for ourselves by buying Ordnance Survey maps for the whole of Hampshire and plotting out circular routes of a suitable length for our children. This ultimately became The Ambling Path - a website and Facebook page that provide guides to the best family-friendly walks in Hampshire.

I knew that to make them appealing to the girls, the walks needed some stand-out features like beaches, paddling spots, woodland with trees to climb, ruins, playgrounds, animals, cafes, or picnic areas. Once a suitable walk has been found, I record it in an easy-to-follow format and publish it on our website and social media channels. Thousands of local families now follow us and use the search functions on the website to get weekend or school holiday inspiration.

Rivers have been one of the most popular elements to include in our walks, and we have spent hours traversing the footpaths that run along the Test, Itchen, and Meon, searching for fords to paddle in, wildlife to spot, footbridges to cross, rope swings to play on, and pretty villages with riverside pubs and cafes. The crystal clear and gently meandering waters of the chalk streams delight the families who follow our guides, as the wildlife is so easy to spot in the glass-like shallows.

For a family-friendly river walk that has it all, we highly recommend trying the spectacular Riverside Walk in Alresford. Starting from the attractive town centre, you pass historic buildings - many housing independent shops and eateries - before joining the riverside path. This flat and easy route runs parallel to the sparkling water of the River Arle, and passes by one of Hampshire’s most picturesque houses: an old mill which straddles the water. Later, children will enjoy buying duck food from a kiosk on the bank and exploring a play area before reaching the old Eel House, which opens occasionally for the public to enjoy.

If you explore our walks, you will see that they are accompanied by lots of photos. I have always been a keen amateur photographer, and I love to capture the rivers throughout the changing seasons, as well as the fun that our children have alongside – and in – them. My photos help to portray what to expect for those heading out on the walk, but I also hope they provide a portfolio of the varied Hampshire countryside that anyone can enjoy.

People often ask us how we encourage our children to walk so far and so often. As their parents, we know the invaluable effect that hours spent in nature, in the fresh air, has on our mental health. But that difference is not always so tangible for younger walkers, and we always openly admit that - just like other families - we put up with our fair share of ‘moaning’.

The points of interest we add always work as incentives, but if the going gets tough, I also have a tried-and-tested collection of activities that can keep children busy whilst walking, from easy-to-create scavenger hunts to nature crafts. When walking beside rivers, we like to make stick rafts for racing downstream, or use plastic bottles as underwater viewfinders. My greatest tip, however, is to take your time. Walk at the children's pace, let them stop and investigate, and allow them those magical moments of awe and wonder that nature inspires.

Cherishing our chalk streams

Many thanks to Sally for sharing her story - be sure to check out the fantastic walks and activities on The Ambling Path website and Facebook page. If you love our local chalk streams, there are  further opportunities to explore through the Watercress and Winterbournes scheme.

We're always looking for people like Sally, who are kind enough to share their personal experiences of these rare and special wild places. You can read more wonderful stories, or share your own, through the Tales from the Riverbank project.