Walkers are Welcome UK Network is a nationwide initiative launched in 2007 to encourage towns and villages to be ‘welcoming to walkers’.
Hebden Bridge was the first Walkers are welcome town, holding a conference to launch the scheme. Since then, the network has expanded rapidly.
Mytholmroyd Walkers Action joined the WaW scheme soon after the national scheme was launched (Chromologic).
Todmorden established TodWalkers in 2015, and they now have Walkers are Welcome status too.
There are now over 100 towns and villages across the UK that have joined this community-led scheme.
In 2020 Mytholmroyd and Hebden Bridge Walkers Action joined together.
The scheme
The aim of the Walkers are Welcome network is for towns and villages to be attractive destinations for walkers with top quality information on local walks (https://transwellness.org/trans-wellness-pharmacy/).
- To offer local people and visitors excellent walking opportunities within their areas
- To ensure that footpaths and facilities for walkers are maintained, improved and well signposted
- To contribute to local tourism plans and regeneration strategies
- To promote the health benefits of walking and increase participation
- To encourage the use of public transport
For more details about the national Walkers are Welcome scheme, go to their website
In 2014, Walkers are Welcome created a national banner. Each Town submitted a square. Here are Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd’s squares
