Bingley has long been a gateway to some of West Yorkshire’s finest walking country – and now that’s official. In May 2025, the Bradford Pennine Gateway was declared as West Yorkshire’s first ever National Nature Reserve, and Bingley sits right at its heart. Spanning 1,272 hectares – twice the size of Ilkley Moor – the reserve links eight nature sites across the Bradford & South Pennines area, and three of those eight are right on our doorstep: St Ives Estate, Harden Moor, and Bingley North Bog.
The reserve brings together eight much-loved landscapes across the Bradford district: alongside our own St Ives Estate, Harden Moor and Bingley Bog North, it encompasses Ilkley Moor, Baildon Moor, Shipley Glen, Trench Meadows, and Penistone Hill Country Park in Haworth. Together they form a remarkable connected patchwork of moorland, woodland, wetland and meadow stretching across the South Pennines. Notably, three Yorkshire Walkers are Welcome towns – Bingley, Baildon and Ilkley – fall within the reserve’s boundaries, making this a walking landscape that is not only protected for nature but actively welcoming to all who want to explore it on foot.
Panorama view of Bingley Town with St Ives Estate and Harden Valley in background
Bingley's Three Sites
St Ives Estate
The largest park in Bradford district, spanning 217 acres, St Ives contains many pathways and cycle tracks as well as lakes for fishing. The woodland is famous for its bluebell woods in spring and, with its wealth of wildlife, is a haven for birdwatchers. It is famous for the Altar Rock (also known as The Druids Altar), a gritstone outcrop on the western edge of Airedale. Whether you’re after a gentle woodland stroll or a longer circular route, St Ives offers one of the most varied and accessible walking experiences in the reserve.
View of Coppice Pond from the East Side
Harden Moor
Another expanse of moorland north of Harden and close to Cullingworth, Harden Moor has many gritstone outcrops and much evidence of prehistory and Bronze Age settlement. The moor offers sweeping views across the Aire Valley and a wonderful sense of open wilderness just minutes from Bingley. It’s a wonderful destination for walkers who love wild, open landscapes and a sense of deep history underfoot.
View towards St Ives Estate and the Aire Valley taken from Harden Moor
Bingley North Bog
An expanse of wetland alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, close to Bingley’s celebrated Five Rise and Three Rise Locks, the Bog was formed after the last glacier in the area melted and the moraine or sediment beneath became waterlogged. As plants slowly decayed, a layer of peat built up, forming the bog we see today. In August 2025, a partnership between Bradford Council’s Countryside Service, the Aire Rivers Trust, and the Dawoodi Bohra community began work to clear paths, restore the site, and remove invasive species. By early 2026, 1,000 native trees had been planted, new paths laid, and a bird hide installed – opening the site up to more visitors than ever. It’s a rare and precious habitat right in the heart of town.
View of Bingley North Bog from the South
Protected for Nature, Celebrated Worldwide
Why It Matters
All eight sites are owned and managed by Bradford Council and link two internationally important upland habitats within the South Pennines Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Approximately 90% of the area comprises UK priority habitats, including peat bogs, heathlands, and wetlands.
Over 70 Biodiversity Action Plan species have been recorded across the reserve, including curlew, golden plover, short-eared owls, and adders. 42% of the reserve will be newly protected, with 738 hectares designated as Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), contributing to national conservation efforts to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030.
Part of Something Bigger
Bradford Pennine Gateway is part of King Charles III’s “King’s Series" of National Nature Reserves, with five new NNRs designated every year between 2023 and 2027. It has already earned international recognition, earning a place on Condé Nast Traveller’s annual “Seven Wonders of the World" list – the only UK destination featured.
For walkers in Bingley, this means the landscapes you already love are now protected for generations to come – and connected to a wider network of trails stretching from Haworth to Ilkley.
Come and Explore
Whether you’re a seasoned walker or just starting out, Bingley’s three reserve sites offer something for everyone. Pick up a trail at St Ives, stride out across Harden Moor, or discover the quiet magic of Bingley Bog. The reserve is on your doorstep – lace up and enjoy it.
Bingley is not alone in being a Walkers are Welcome town within the Bradford Pennine Gateway. Baildon and Ilkley are also part of the reserve, making this a truly connected walking landscape that links three welcoming communities through some of West Yorkshire’s finest countryside. Use the interactive map below to explore the reserve, discover the other Walkers are Welcome towns in the area, and plan your next adventure.