Visiting Bingley

Are you planning a visit to Bingley? You have found the right page! We have lots of information for you and we hope you will find it useful. And Bingley is a great place for walking so maybe you can include that activity during your visit?

If you need more info on a particular aspect, why not contact us, we might be able to help.

Bingley is a Market Town of about 20,000 inhabitants located north of Bradford in Yorkshire in the beautiful Airedale Valley. The surrounding villages of Cottingley, Crossflatts, Eldwick, Gilstead and Micklethwaite are also part of Bingley Town Council, a parish town council created in April 2016. The area is crossed by both the River Aire and the Leeds & Liverpool Canal and is part of the Metropolitan Borough of the City of Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The postcode for the area is mainly within BD16. Travelling to Bingley is easy with two railway stations (Bingley and Crossflatts) connecting the town to major cities like Bradford and Leeds. A relief road was opened in 2004, making the town centre less congested with traffic and more attractive to visitors. The Leeds-Bradford International airport is only 10 miles away. Finally the town is connected to the wider British waterways network thanks to the Leeds & Liverpool canal, a delightful and relaxing way of travelling up to Bingley.

One of the most famous landmarks in town is the Five Rise Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Only a ten minute walk from the town centre, this staircase lock is known as one of the ‘seven wonders of the waterways’. It’s a perfect day out for the family and we invite you to download our Five Rise Locks Family Walk!

Other places we highly recommend a visit to are Myrtle Park in the town centre which has a lovely Riverside Walk along the banks of the River Aire; Prince of Wales Park, a woodland treat on the way to Eldwick; and the St Ives Estate with children’s adventure playground.

For the more adventurous, Bingley Moor on the edge of the Rombalds Moor and Ilkley Moor is a wilderness heaven. Bingley is located in the middle of the South Pennines an area crossed by many long distance walks.

One of Bingley’s most famous persons is Sir Fred Hoyle, an astronomer who coined the term ‘Big Bang!’. We have created a series of walks illustrating his early story as a child living in Bingley.

In 2018, new town signs were installed at Bingley Railway Station and in Jubilee Gardens near Market Square. These maps of Bingley provide assistance for visitors and an outline of the parish with some basic directions.

Click on the map below to open a high resolution version that can be printed or downloaded (PDF 5.5Mb).

In May 2022, the local councils of Harden, Wilsden, Cullingworth, Denholme and Cottingley released the “Green Travel Map" as part of the Bingley Rural Green Travel Project. The aim of the project is to give a voice to local residents and visitors about what makes Bingley Rural attractive and inspire greener and healthier travel in the area. You can access to the online version of the map and leave your contribution which will be reviewed by local councillors. A brilliant way to express your views on what can be improved locally!

Explore the online map: https://bingleyrural.communitymaps.org.uk/welcome

There are many things to do in Bingley throughout the year, from regular markets and cultural events to seasonal celebrations and festivals.

• Bingley Market takes place every Friday and Saturday in Market Square, bringing a lively atmosphere to the town centre. The market features a variety of independent traders selling fresh produce, crafts, clothing and household goods, making it a great place to browse and experience the character of the town.
• Bingley has a strong tradition of live music and festivals. Large outdoor concerts have been held in Myrtle Park in recent years, attracting well-known artists and visitors from across the region. You can find out more about local venues, performances and the town’s creative scene on our Arts & Music in Bingley page.
• The Bingley Arts Centre on Market Square is home to the Little Theatre, where local amateur dramatics groups stage a variety of productions throughout the year, including plays, comedies and musical performances.

Throughout the year Bingley also hosts a variety of seasonal events and community celebrations. From springtime activities and family events to festive markets and Christmas lights, there is always something happening in the town.

• Discover spring events in Bingley
• See what’s happening during Christmas in Bingley

For more than a century, the Bingley Show was one of the town’s best-loved events. Organised by the Airedale Agricultural Society and traditionally held in Myrtle Park, the show celebrated agriculture, horticulture and rural life, with livestock competitions, craft and produce displays, fairground rides and family entertainment. In its heyday it attracted thousands of visitors each year and was considered one of the largest one-day agricultural shows in Europe.

The last full Bingley Show took place in 2019. The planned 2020 event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and although this was originally expected to be a temporary pause, the show has not returned to the annual calendar since then. As an organisation, Bingley Walkers are Welcome had a stand there during the 2016 edition

While the future of the event remains uncertain, the show remains an important part of Bingley’s history and is fondly remembered by many local residents who attended over the years. Myrtle Park, its traditional home, continues to host community events and festivals throughout the year.

Bingley is a vibrant community with a high number of independent establishments. As a Walkers are Welcome town, many of the local businesses show their support to the scheme by displaying our logo on their shop window or door. We highly recommend paying a visit to these welcoming businesses!

Hotels and Accommodations in Bingley

Pubs, Cafés and Restaurants