Welcome to Yorkshire
Inspiration • September 11th, 2026
|The York Walking Festival is making a return this September, inviting everyone to lace up their walking shoes and explore the beautiful sights of York and its surrounding countryside. Running from Saturday, 19 September, to Sunday, 4 October 2026, this festival promises a variety of events to cater to all interests, whether in history, nature, or simply enjoying the outdoors.
Variety of Events
This year's festival offers a wide range of activities for participants of all ages and abilities. From themed walks like the popular Bat Walk and Fungus Foray to heritage tours that delve into York's rich past, there is truly something for everyone. The festival aims to provide accessible routes suitable for those using mobility aids or buggies, ensuring that no one misses out on the fun.
Discover Hidden Stories
Richard Taylor, known as The History Man and one of the festival guides, emphasised the opportunity to uncover York's lesser-known tales:
“The York Walking Festival offers a wonderful opportunity to step outside and uncover the city's hidden stories and best-kept secrets. While many people know York for its Romans, Vikings and Saxons, my walks reveal a very different side of the city’s past, from lawbreakers to the dramatic siege of 1644.”
This highlights how walking can provide a unique perspective on history, allowing participants to connect with the city in a new way. The festival's walks cover various themes, ensuring that both locals and visitors can find an event that piques their interest.
Health Benefits of Walking
Walking is not only an enjoyable way to explore, but it also brings significant health benefits. According to NHS guidance, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. Additionally, it can improve mood, sleep quality, and overall wellbeing. Walking can lower the risk of early death by up to 30%, making it a simple yet effective way to take care of health.
Encouraging Active Lifestyles
Cllr Kate Ravilious, the Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, expressed her enthusiasm for the festival:
“York is a wonderfully walkable city. The York Walking Festival is about helping people discover just how enjoyable it can be to get outdoors, exploring the city and spending time with others.”
She added that the festival caters to everyone, whether they are seasoned walkers or those looking for a reason to get outside.
List of walks
The York Walking Festival is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get involved, enjoy the fresh air, and learn more about the city. Walks are designed for all experience levels, making it easy for families and friends to join together.
***Some walks require advance booking, check the festival site here.
Saturday 19 September – River Foss Wildlife Wander — 10:30–12:30 — Landing Lane at junction with Towthorpe Road, Haxby — what3words: router.chilled.shadowing
Saturday 19 September – Weedy Walk: Bishophill — 11:00–12:30 — Victoria Bar off Nunnery Lane
Monday 21 September – A Mindful Photography Walk — 10:00–11:30 — New Earswick Folk Hall Car Park entrance
Monday 21 September – Health Walks: Rawcliffe Bar — 10:30 moderate pace / 11:00 fast pace — Country Park Office, Rawcliffe Bar Park and Ride
Monday 21 September – Health Walks: York City Walk — 11:00 — Hungate Reading Café
Monday 21 September – Bat Walk — 19:30–21:00 — Wentworth Way, behind the Natural Sciences Biology R block — what3words: yoga.busy.entry
Tuesday 22 September – Bachelor Hill (south-east face) — 10:30 — All Saints Church, North Street
Tuesday 22 September – Health Walks: Dunnington — 10:30 — Cross Keys Pub, Common Road, Dunnington
Wednesday 23 September – Wrong Uns — 13:30–15:00 — In front of the Guildhall
Wednesday 23 September – Health Walks: York Art Gallery — 14:00–14:30 — York Art Gallery
Wednesday 23 September – Ready, Steady Mums walk — 14:00 — Acomb Front Street Mural
Thursday 24 September – Hob Moor and Tadcaster Road: A Walk Through Time — 10:00–12:00 — The Pinfold opposite the Fox & Roman pub, Tadcaster Road
Thursday 24 September – Health Walks: New Earswick — 10:30 — New Earswick Folk Hall
Thursday 24 September – Health Walks: Tang Hall — 14:00 — The Centre @ Burnholme
Thursday 24 September – Ready, Steady Mums walk — 14:00 — Fulford side of Millennium Bridge
Friday 25 September – Health Walks: Foxwood — 10:45 — Foxwood Community Centre
Friday 25 September – Bird Walk — 12:00–13:30 — Field Lane, footpath to Heslington Church, close to bus stop
Friday 25 September – The Archaeology of Hungate and Walmgate — 14:00 — Hungate Reading Café
Saturday 26 September – The History and Botany of Heslington Open Fields in the 19th Century — 10:00 — Outside Heslington Hall — what3words: trying.remark.sofa
Sunday 27 September – Copmanthorpe History Ramble — 14:00–16:00 — Opposite Royal Oak Pub, Copmanthorpe
Monday 28 September – Health Walks: Rawcliffe Bar — 10:30 moderate pace / 11:00 fast pace — Country Park Office, Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride
Monday 28 September – Health Walks: York City Walk — 11:00 — Hungate Meeting Room Café
Tuesday 29 September – Health Walks: Dunnington — 10:30 — Outside the Cross Keys Pub
Tuesday 29 September – The Great York Obstacle Walk — 10:30 — York Station main entrance
Wednesday 30 September – Fungus Foray — 10:00–12:00 — End of Intake Lake, Dunnington, near the public footpath signs
Wednesday 30 September – Ready, Steady Mums walk — 14:00 — Acomb Front Street Mural
Wednesday 30 September – Health Walks: York Art Gallery — 14:00–14:30 — York Art Gallery
Thursday 1 October – A Peaceful Walk from Park to Park — 10:00–12:00 — The Pavilion, Homestead Park
Thursday 1 October – Health Walks: Tang Hall — 14:00 — The Centre @ Burnholme
Thursday 1 October – Ready, Steady Mums walk — 14:00 — Fulford side of Millennium Bridge
Thursday 1 October – Dark Skies Walk — 18:30–19:30 — Outside Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride building — what3words: relate.burns.will
Friday 2 October – Siege 1644 — 13:30–15:00 — In front of Kings Manor entrance, Exhibition Square
Saturday 3 October – York Rivers Trail: Stories, Nature and Resilience Along the River — 10:00 and 12:00 — North Street Gardens
Saturday 3 October – Nicks, Becks and a Stray — 11:30–14:30 — Foss Islands Chimney, Morrisons car park
Sunday 4 October – Blossom Street: The Royal Entrance to York — 10:00 — Meeting point confirmed when booking
Sunday 4 October – Menfulness Walk and Talk — 13:00–14:00 — Outside Museum Gardens main entrance
Sunday 4 October – York Cemetery 19th-century Military Heroes — 14:00–15:30 — York Cemetery, YO10 5AJ
