This is official, the 8th Bingley Walking Festival will happen on Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2025! More information to come soon.
In the meantime, you can take a look at pictures taken during last year event on our past outdoor festivals page which also includes 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
We look forward to seeing you all again! Best Foot Forward!
What happened in 2024?
Monday 6th May 2024 saw the 7th Bingley Walking Festival, proudly hosted by Bingley Walkers are Welcome.
We offered a choice of 5 walks all designed and led by our experienced walk leaders. Each walk had something different to offer to walkers of all abilities, ages and experience. It was a real chance to see some of Bingley and the surrounding district’s most stunning sights and landmarks.
Well behaved dogs were also very welcome!
Note: This was a FREE event for all! We only asked for a voluntary donation to help us continue to hold events like this.
List of walks for the Bingley Walking Festival 2024
Led by Mark Doveston
Starting and finishing at Coppice Pond, the walk will follow the path clockwise around St. Ives Estate and will complete a full circle of the pond. Mark has 40 plus years’ experience of bird watching within St. Ives.
The walk is aimed at beginners, but all are welcome. Expect the duration to be over 3 hours but you are welcome to drop out anytime you need to. Dull clothing and rough terrain footwear is recommended as the walk will go ahead whatever the weather.
Polite Notice – this walk is NOT suitable for dogs.
Meet Mark at 7.00am at the gates to Coppice Pond in the St. Ives Estate. The walk should finish around 10.30am, depending upon the birds!
When: Monday 6th May – 7:00am
Where:
St Ives Estate, gateway to Coppice Pond
Harden
Bingley
BD16 1AT
Price: £ 0.00 – It’s free!
Led by John Kata
Embark on a scenic 10-mile journey to Ilkley Moor. We'll begin by strolling towards the charming village of Micklethwaite, then make our way onto Bingley Moor to ascend towards the rugged beauty of Ilkley Moor. This is where we will seek out the Puddle Stones which are carved with a poem from Yorkshireman Simon Armitage and are part of a series called the Stanza Stones. From there, we'll make our way through Keighley Gate and meander towards the tranquil village of East Morton, before heading to Crossflatts and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, passing the iconic Five Rise Locks and returning to Bingley.
Please note: Bring a lunch pack and refreshments with you and wear rough terrain footwear as it could be muddy on the moor.
Meet John & Cedric at 9.30am in Bingley Town Square.
When: Monday 6th May – 9:30am
Where:
Town Square
Main Street
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2LZ
Price: £ 0.00 – It’s free!
Led by Sarah Njeri
All are welcome to join Sarah and the Black Girls Hiking Group on this 6 miles moderate walk with breathtaking views of Bingley. We will be going up and down the hills all around the town, taking in the River Aire, moorland, woodland and the canal. Expect plenty of fun and adventure!
Meet Sarah and the group at 10.00am in Bingley Town Square.
When: Monday 6th May – 10:00am
Where:
Town Square
Main Street
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2LZ
Price: £ 0.00 – It’s free!
Led by Sue Dennis
Join Sue for an easy walk of around 3 miles through Bingley and Beckfoot, passing over or under many of the town’s bridges, crossing the canal, the river, the railway and the bypass. How many bridges can you count?
Meet Sue at 1.30pm in Bingley Town Square.
When: Monday 6th May – 13:30pm
Where:
Town Square
Main Street
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2LZ
Price: £ 0.00 – It’s free!
Led by Michael McCabe
Meet Michael McCabe and David Hanson at 2.00pm or for a shorter walk, meet the group at 2.30pm at the bottom car park near to the entrance to St Ives Estate. From here, we will then collectively do a circular walk, taking in parts of the estate where there has recently been some tree felling which reveals some amazing new views.
Meet Michael and David at 2.00pm. in Bingley Town Square or at the main gate entrance car park at St Ives at approx. 2.30pm
When: Monday 6th May – 2:00pm
Where:
Town Square
Main Street
Bingley
West Yorkshire
BD16 2LZ
Price: £ 0.00 – It’s free!
Download the leaflets
Watch the local shops, pubs and businesses, train station, Bingley Art Centre and Bingley Library for our posters and leaflets! Support Bingley Walkers are Welcome and help promoting the event by sharing this message on your social media or publishing these leaflets on your website!
Leaflet Page 1 - Poster of the event
Leaflet Page 2 - More details about the walks
Did you go on any of our past outdoor festivals? Don't hesitate to give us some feedback by leaving a comment below!
M.Hopwood
Hi,
Walked the Harden Valley walk yesterday with a large group. The lead was Cedric. Excellent organisation and walk. Thanks very much to Cedric, the back marker ( sorry I forgot his name ) and all involved. A great walk !
Bingley WaW
Thank you for your lovely comment. Really glad you enjoyed the walk and hope to see you again next year!
Mike Grindrod
Damien Nigel and I joined Cedric yesterday to walk his “ Bingley Loop “ with great group of walkers 👍
Very well organised and plenty of fun from start to finish
Hope you see you all soon
Mike Otley Walking Festival.
Bingley WaW
Thank you so much for your support guys! It was really nice meeting you.
liz Narey
Lovely history walk led by Susan Hart , always new things to learn .