Active Walkers are Welcome Towns
Order by: Year of Accreditation Alphabetical Order
Kirkby Stephen
Accredited since: 2009
The attractive and friendly market town of Kirkby Stephen on the upper reaches of the River Eden in a corner of east Cumbria. With the stunning landscapes of the Westmorland Dales of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and North Pennines Area of Natural Beauty. Once discovered, visitors are reluctant to leave.
Cleobury Mortimer
Accredited since: 2009
Small market town (population 3600) in South Shropshire straddling the A4117 between Kidderminster and Ludlow with its noted twisted spire on the parish church. Within reach of the Clee Hills and the Wyre Forest and not far from the Shropshire Way. Serving the surrounding villages ("Cleobury Country") with shopping and services.
Newton Stewart
Accredited since: 2009
Newton Stewart is a small market town in rural Galloway, south west Scotland. We are the Gateway to the Galloway Hills and have the Galloway Forest Park, the Galloway Dark Skies Park, Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere Reserve and the Solway coast on our doorstep.
Wiveliscombe
Accredited since: 2009
Wiveliscombe is a small, vibrant, friendly community on the edge of Exmoor, the Balckdown and Brendon hills and the nearby coast. There is a myriad of well maintained footpaths, some near national trails, readily reached from The Town Square.
Wiveliscombe is easily accessed from the M5 motorway and Taunton Railway / Coach station which makes a visit to this little known part of Somerset well worthwhile.
Wellington
Accredited since: 2010
Wellington is just north of the iconic Wrekin Hill in Shropshire. Although part of Telford it has its own identity as a market town (since 1244). Locally there is much of geological, archaeological and ecological interest. It has excellent transport links having a railway station and being just off the M54.
Pateley Bridge
Accredited since: 2010
Yorkshire market town in Nidderdale AONB on Nidderdale Way and Six Dales Trail with an award winning high street (great butchers, tea shops, pubs, baker, etc). In the middle of the 'Yorkshire Lake District' and surrounded by great walks for all ages and abilities. Only 14 miles from Harrogate
Bromyard
Accredited since: 2010
A bustling lively market town in Herefordshire surrounded by glorious countryside
Marsden
Accredited since: 2010
Marsden is a large village with a population of approx 4400, nestled at the top of the Colne Valley, West Yorkshire. Marsden is an ideal walking location, located midway between the conurbations of Manchester and Leeds and situated close to the northern edge of the Peak District, near to the Pennine Way. It is surrounded by open moorland and offers river, canal and woodland walks too. As well as 25 miles of WaW waymarked routes, there are over 60 miles of public footpaths available to walk.
Bradfield
Accredited since: 2010
Bradfield village’s excellent location on the northwest fringes of the Peak District, with close proximity to long-distance trails and a superb variety of shorter walks around local villages, and spectacular reservoirs means that it has something special to offer walkers, whether visitors or local residents.
Devil's Bridge
Accredited since: 2010
Devil's Bridge is a village located near the Cambrian Mountains and 12 miles outside the coastal town of Aberystwyth. The village itself has been popular since Victorian times when people traveled here to view the spectacular waterfalls created by the river Mynach falling 300 feet into the river Rheidol.
Melrose
Accredited since: 2011
Melrose is a small town in the central Borders situated at the foot of the Eildon Hills, close to the river Tweed. It has excellent visitor facilities and the local path network provides the perfect opportunity to explore the surrounding landscape and it's many historical connections together with our paths booklet.
Bro Tregaron
Accredited since: 2011
Tregaron is a small rural Welsh-speaking community in the Cambrian Mountains of Wales. Positioned in the county of Ceredigion, it has a long established association with the great outdoors and walking forming part of that heritage. Clwb Cerdded Tregaron Walking Club run a variety of walking activities to promote the town's continued membership of the Walkers are Welcome network including a monthly walk, walking festivals, walking events associated with local businesses, footpath monitoring and more. Information available from www.clwbcerddedtregaron.site
Bradford on Avon
Accredited since: 2011
Nestling in the beautiful Bristol Avon Valley on the edge of the Cotswolds AONB, Bradford on Avon is the perfect centre for a whole variety of walking. The Macmillan Way and Kennet and Avon Canal run through the town and the Bradford on Avon Walking Wheel provides countless opportunities to explore the area. You might also be tempted to join us for our Annual Walking Festival that takes place over the first weekend in September.
Much Wenlock
Accredited since: 2011
Much Wenlock is a beautiful medieval town, the birthplace of Dr William Penny Brookes, the inspiration for the modern Olympic Movement. A small town, it is popular with visitors who enjoy the traditional shops, architecture, history and the walks in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, including the magnificent Wenlock Edge escarpment.
Brampton
Accredited since: 2011
Brampton is a lively little Market Town ideally situated for walking in the North Pennines AONB, Hadrian's Wall Country, The Lake District and the Scottish Borders.
Kington
Accredited since: 2011
Friendly and relaxed with a network of medieval walled alleyways and intriguing buildings, Kington is a great place to explore and hang out. Boots and backpacks are commonplace and lying in the Welsh Marches, it has more long distance paths converging on a town of its size than anywhere else in the UK, including the Offa's Dyke National Trail.
Walkers are most definitely welcome in Kington.
Stocksbridge
Accredited since: 2011
Stocksbridge is situated, in the Upper Don Valley, some ten miles north of Sheffield City Centre. It is a small town (population <10,000) which is geographically isolated from neighbouring towns and cities. It is part of the Penistone and Stocksbridge Parliamentary Constituency. On the edge of the Peak District National Park, the town centre is in a valley surrounded by beautiful countryside. The area offers many easy, safe and pleasant walking options.
Baildon
Accredited since: 2012
Baildon is a town on the edge of Bradford between the River Aire and Rombalds Moor. There are about 16,000 residents. There is a thriving centre with a number of successful small businesses. On the edge of open country, Baildon Moor is one of the first areas of open country heading out of Bradford. For many years the Moor and Shipley Glen have been destinations for walkers. A Dales Way connecting path, The Dales Highway and Welcome way come through Baildon.
Corwen
Accredited since: 2012
Corwen is a Town with so much to offer the walker. From high mountains on the Berwyn to gentle strolls down to the River Dee as a Town Corwen has something for everyone. Looking down on the town is the iron age hillfort of Caer Drewyn and the longer distance paths of The North Berwyn Way, The Dee Valley Way and The Brenig Way start in the Town. Corwen is steeped in history with ancient oak woodland walks and drovers trails we offer a walkers paradise for all. Cafes, restaurants and pubs compliment your experience and the Town offers Walkers a very warm welcome.
Chepstow
Accredited since: 2012
Chepstow is a true border town located at the mouth of the River Wye. At its heart is Chepstow Castle, Britain's oldest surviving stone fortification, and at different times the town has been Wales's biggest port, the birthplace of tourism, a national shipyard, the location of the Severn Bridge and, more recently, the southern terminus of the Wales Coast Path. No less than 8 long-distance trails meet here, and Chepstow is an ideal base for walking the Wye Valley AONB, the Forest of Dean, the Vale of Usk and the Gwent Levels.