What’s on

Below you will find details of forthcoming guided walks and events related to walking, in and around Baildon, organised by a variety of local organisations.

All walks listed are in the immediate proximity of Baildon or can be easily reached by public transport from Baildon. Public transport links to and from Baildon are great, with regular bus routes and a train station only a short walk from the village centre. You can also find links to local walking groups on our website, including Bradford Ramblers, who offer guided evening walks.

We are not responsible for the accuracy of the walks below and suggest you always contact the organiser for full details and to check the walk is going ahead.

Diary of events

Mar
23
Sat
BIRD-SONG IDENTIFICATION WALK – arranged by Denso Marsten Nature Reserve. @ Meet at top of path on Otley Road that leads down to the Nature Reserve (opposite layby at Hoyle Court)
Mar 23 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

This walk is arranged by Denso Marsten Nature Reserve, but all Baildon WaW friends are welcome. This gentle stroll around the Nature Reserve will help you to identify bird song. It will be led by Paul Robinson who is also a leader for Baildon WaW.

Mar
29
Fri
ILKLEY TO MIDDLETON CALVARY ON GOOD FRIDAY @ Ilkley Manor House
Mar 29 @ 11:00 am – 3:45 pm

This walk is jointly arranged with Bradford Countryside Service.

We had hoped that this walk would commence on a train journey from Baildon Railway Station. However, it now looks likely that the railway line will still not be open by the end of March.

So, unfortunately, to join this walk, you would need to make your own way to Ilkley, and meet Barbara outside Ilkley Manor House for an 11.00am departure from there. Bring water and a packed lunch.

The walk will take in field paths and country lanes to arrive at the Calvary at the former Monastery and will return via Middleton Woods. Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water / drinks.

The walk will terminate in Ilkley and participants from Baildon will need to make their own arrangements for returning to Baildon.

Boots with good soles are recommended and bring waterproof in case of rain.

 

Apr
13
Sat
TO OTLEY CHEVIN ON THE WELCOME WAY AND BACK VIA MENSTON: our 2nd Saturday Guided Walk for April @ Meet at The Potted Meat Stick in centre of Baildon
Apr 13 @ 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

We are offeirng this longer, leg-stretcher, challenging walk of 12 miles as our Second Saturday guided walk for April. We shall follow the route of The Welcome Way, through Esholt Woods and Guiseley to arrive at Otley Chevin, where we can enjoy excellent long-distance views (weather permitting) and discover something of the history of the Chevin. Our route then takes us along the ridge and into woods,  before we join the Ebor Way which takes us via quiet roads and paths down to Menston. After skirting the edge of Menston, we will take rising tracks and paths, over the Aire / Wharfe watershed and then through Hawksworth, the Gill Beck valley (across the stepping stones) and back to the centre of Baildon. Bring water and packed lunch, and be prepared for whatever the weather will bring.

Apr
27
Sat
NORTHCLIFFE WOODS ARCHAEOLOGY WALK @ Meet at entrance to Roberts Park (adjacent to the adventure play area)
Apr 27 @ 9:45 am – 2:00 pm

We are delighted that Jim Baird and Maggie Fleming, local amateur  industrial archaeology  enthusiasts, will join our walk to help us explore the archaeology of Northcliffe Park and Woods.

Total walking distance, around 4 miles.

Meet Chris Flecknoe and Colin Jarvis at the lodge gate to Roberts Park (near the play area) for departure at 9.45. We will walk along the riverside before crossing the river and canal to continue through Hirst Wood.  We will then take steadily ascending footpaths, tracks and roads to reach the top of Moorhead Lane and the entrance to the Park. Here we shall meet up with our archaeological guides, Jim and Maggie, and make a stop for what you may wish to consider as late “elevenses” or early lunch.  Please bring whatever food and drink you need with you – and a sit-mat or plastic bag to sit on may come in useful. We also recommend bring a walking pole if you use one, and something warmer to put on when we sit down or are listening to our specialist guides.

Our pace of walking will be slower within the Park as our guides introduce us to the underlying geology and impact of the ice age, which led to this being an area from which coal (and stone) was extracted from the 17th to 19th century – and maybe earlier.  We will be shown how the coal pits domantated the landscape, and then hear how the area was turned into a public park.  There is one steep descent and ascent within the Northcliffe Dike valley, on rough steps, after which we will follow the gently descending main track through the valley.

The walk will end at the bottom of the Park, emerging on to Bradford Road, from where participants may choose to catch a bus back to Baildon (we will have the timetable with us) or walk into Shipley.

Booking is required for this walk as numbers are restricted to 12 so that everyone can hear what our specialist guides are saying. Bookings will not open until 1 April, after which you can book by emailing info@baildonwalkersarewelcome.org

 

May
25
Sat
RAILWAY WALK @ To be arranged
May 25 @ 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Details to follow soon.

 

Jun
8
Sat
JUNE SECOND SATURDAY WALK: details to follow
Jun 8 @ 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

Details to follow soon.

Jun
21
Fri
SUMMER SOLSTICE WALK @ Meet at The Potted Meat Stick in centre of Baildon
Jun 21 @ 3:45 am – 6:30 am

Full details to follow soon. Greet the rising sun on Summer Solstice morning.

Jun
22
Sat
THREE HIGH POINTS: A BAILDON WALKERS ARE WELCOME CHALLENGE WALK @ Meet at The Potted Meat Stick in centre of Baildon
Jun 22 @ 9:30 am – 5:30 pm

Join walks leader Paul Robinson for a Challenge Plus Walk of 16 miles, taking in the highest point of Otley Chevin, and trig points on Ilkley and Baildon moor. Further details to follow – but if you like a good leg-stretch, book the date in your diaries.

Aug
14
Wed
“BRACKEN HALL TO BINGLEY AND BACK ON THE WELCOME WAY” Organised in conjunction with Bradford HF Walking Group @ Meet outside Bracken Hall Countryside Centre
Aug 14 @ 10:30 am – 3:30 pm

Meet walk leaders Chris and Mervyn Flecknoe, outside Bracken Hall Countryside Centre for  9 mile circular walk, to depart at 10.30. We shall follow moorland tracks to skirt Eldwick before continuing to Micklethwaite. We will then descend to paths by the Leeds Liverpool Canal and take our lunch near the Five Rise Locks Cafe. Please bring drinks and snacks for mid-morning and mid-afternoon, and a packed lunch (as it would take too long for us all to get served in the cafe at Five Rise)  – but there should be the chance to purchase a drink and a cake if you wish, and use the toilets. We continue to the River Aire, Beck Foot and the edge of Cottingley before walking through Hirst Wood and returning to Bracken Hall.  Please bring plenty of water to drink. The is a moderate-hard walk and there are several stiles to negotiate.