In January 2015, Bingley acquired the status of Walkers are Welcome town. It is now part of a national network of communities endorsed for their amenities, opportunities and hospitality for walkers and which can promote themselves under the Walkers are Welcome brand. As well as encouraging the health benefits of walking, Walkers are Welcome status can also help to boost the local economy by attracting visitors and increasing footfall.

Bingley joins Baildon and Burley in Wharfedale in the City of Bradford Metropolitan District as well as Otley in the Leeds City Council area to make this part of West-Yorkshire one of the most welcoming places in the country for walkers! As close neighbours, we keep regularly in touch and in 2016 we launched a joint long distance walk called the Welcome Way. The route connects all four communities and is the only example of its kind in the network.

Why do we need this money?

Our aim is to make more people aware of the great outdoor opportunities that Bingley and the surrounding areas have to offer. To help achieve this, we have a group of volunteers who organise regular walks and events and these incur a running cost (insurance, promotion, materials, etc) but we also need to pay an annual fee to keep the Walkers Are Welcome status.