Heading up to the Lakes with the family, so thinking of doing some of the easy trails around Windermere and Coniston with the children but also looking for some gravel type routes for 2-3 hour early morning rides for myself, as taking the >X< for versatility of options.

Any useful suggestions please?

Some potential:
Take the car ferry to the West side, from there you can head North on gravel road to Wray Castle, and on to Clappergate/Brathay on gravel cycle tracks. From Clappergate head into Ambleside via the under Loughrigg road (shared pavement from Clappersgate to the Rothay bridge if you’re with the family). From the under Loughrigg road you can get into town via the park, or head along the shore of Rydal, where gravel track links to White Moss Car park, and a back road to Grasmere.
Alternatively from Clappersgate a minor road (Bog Lane) leads to Skelwith Bridge, where you can pick up gravel tracks to Elterwater, and climb over Red Bank on tarmac to return via Loughrigg Terrace or Grasmere. All of this is on road or legit shared cycle paths, most helpfully not marked on any maps!

Thanks 🙂