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How Baildon Walkers are Welcome started

The Baildon Plan, first put together by Baildon Town Council, following much public consultation in 2011, included an aspiration for Baildon to achieve the designation of becoming a Walkers are Welcome town. A steering group of local residents with a keen interest in walking and the countryside was established and set out to demonstrate that we met the criteria for achieving national designation.

In 2013 Baildon was awarded Walkers are Welcome status, thanks to its fantastic countryside location and abundance of routes for walkers of all abilities. Since Baildon was awarded the designation of a Walkers are Welcome town, members of the Baildon Walkers are Welcome group have been busy promoting and encouraging walking in the lovely countryside around Baildon.

Aims of the Walkers are Welcome scheme

The aims of the national Walkers are Welcome scheme are to encourage and support towns and villages to:

  • Be attractive destinations for walkers with top quality information on local walks
  • Offer local people and visitors excellent walking opportunities within their areas
  • Ensure that footpaths and facilities for walkers are maintained, improved and well signposted
  • Contribute to local tourism plans and regeneration strategies
  • Promote the health benefits of walking and increase participation
  • Encourage the use of public transport

If you’re not familiar with the Walkers are Welcome scheme, you can read more about the national scheme here.

Key milestones for Baildon Walkers are Welcome