Whether a walker, cyclist, horse rider, nature lover or history enthusiast, the Walking East Yorkshire Festival showcases a plethora of activities over nine days which appeal to families, casual walkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
The festival shines a spotlight not only on the rolling landscape, curvy roads and stick trees, but also our rich heritage coastline with chalk cliffs and an abundance of wildlife. The flat plains of Holderness with its big skies make it ideal for cycling along quiet country roads, disused railway lines or even a jaunt to the tip of Spurn Point’s peninsula.
Popular year-on-year events include history tours of our pretty market towns, long-distance treks, Nordic walking, canal boat rides, horse riding, wildlife experiences, seabird cruises, vineyard tours, brewery visits, ghost walks, lighthouse tours, outdoor pursuits including kayaking, bodyboarding and wild swimming.
Paul Schofield is a fully-qualified, freelance English Heritage accredited guide, famous in the area for his guided walks in both Beverley, Hull and the surrounding area. Paul has kindly pre-recorded two special history talks - taking you on a virtual journey around Beverley, from the safety of your own home!
Whether you’re a visitor to Beverley or live in the town and want to learn something new. Paul will take a step back in time and uncover what life was like in Medieval Beverley. The trail houses 40 unique sculptures which depict the guild and trades of the area. Medieval Beverley was a wealthy town with a diverse population of skilled workers, including carpenters, butchers, jerkin makers, musicians and armourers to name just a few! Pick up a town trail at Beverley Tourist Information Centre.
Medieval Guilds and Crafts recording
Beverley Town Trail
Visit Paul Schofield at Tour Hull
Grab a beer, relax and join Paul for The Beverley Pub Talk focusing on Beverley’s most fascinating and historic drinking places. The talk includes pubs such as the Royal Standard, a Grade II listed building in the heart of Beverley, and the unique “Nellie's” White Horse Inn which is the second-oldest surviving Inn in the town after The Sun Inn – and still powered by gas lights! Download your copy of the Beverley Pub Guide and enjoy a day out in Beverley whilst visiting one of its familiar hostelries. Cheers!
East Yorkshire has an abundance of charming and historic market towns rich in heritage and culture. Choose from a range of do-anytime walks of varying lengths and enjoy a stroll around one our picturesque market towns. You can admire the architecture, and learn more about the fascinating history and the stories behind the buildings.
Follow the Beverley Town Trail and take a step back in time, discover what life was like in medieval Beverley. Visit Market Weighton and learn about its most famous resident – William 'Giant' Bradley, born in 1787, who grew his way into the Guinness Book of Records as England's tallest man. Unlock the secrets of Bettison’s Folly in Hornsea or take a stroll around Bridlington’s iconic old town with its Georgian architecture. Learn about the Stewarts of Burnby Hall in Pocklington or discover the history around the R100 Airship in Howden.
Pick up a copy of two NEW walking booklets - 'Walks in and Around Beverley' and 'Walk Pocklington'. Both booklets showcase a number of interesting routes with historic anecdotes. Both FREE from Beverley Tourist Information Centre.
Walking the Town Website
Walks in and Around Beverley
Walk Pocklington booklet
There’s never been a better time for children to enjoy the great outdoors with their families. The festival team have been delighted to connect with local outdoor providers to make parents aware of the range of activities and experiences that are available on their doorstep. We have put together a brand new leaflet jam-packed with ideas to keep your little ones active outdoors. Let your child loose in the great outdoors and watch nature inspire their imagination.
Allow your children the freedom to enjoy energetic play from den building at Danes Dyke Country Park, exploring a cave at North Landing or reaching new heights on a giant trampoline at Beach Cove Adventure Play at Hornsea Freeport. Pick up your ‘Month of Fun’ brochure at either Beverley or Bridlington Tourist Information Centres. Tick off the activities as you enjoy them!
Between Hornsea and Burton Constable and horse riding in Hockney countryFor those of you who enjoy trying something new, we hope to inspire you to saddle up and enjoy the experience of cycling and horse riding with two videos taken on location at Woldgate Trekking Centre, and a section of the Trans Pennine Trail called the Hornsea Rail Trail from Hornsea to Burton Constable.
Enjoy a mainly off-road cycle experience with your family and friends on the Hornsea to Hull Rail Trail which officially starts on Hornsea seafront. Alternatively, you can park at Hornsea Freeport and hire bikes from Switchback Cycles were you can access the route. There are some excellent places to stop off for a well-earned break on the route.
Hornsea to Hull Rail Trail View cycling video
Whether you’re a novice or a more competent rider, treat yourself and your family to a horse riding experience. Woldgate Trekking Centre, located just outside Bridlington, offers a series of superb treks along the old Roman road, through woodland and over dales – a location which inspired painter David Hockney to create some of his most memorable work. Woldgate Trekking Centre accommodates both beginners and advanced riders. All treks are escorted by experienced riders, and nervous beginners may be led, if desired.
Showcasing the wonderful landscape and rich heritage of this unique area, the festival team along with local walking enthusiasts have hand-picked a selection of some of the area’s most outstanding walks. East Riding of Yorkshire Council's Walking the Riding website allows you to discover over 250 interesting routes passing through the towns, nature reserves, coastal villages and rolling hills of East Yorkshire.
Alternatively, you can create your own route along the region’s footpaths and bridleways. For the more adventurous, why not start planning a long-distance walking challenge today and conquer one of the area's local-distance walking paths, including the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, The Minster Way and the Chalkland Way to name but a few.
Walking the Riding website
Top Ten Trails - The Yorkshire Wolds Way
Exploring the Yorkshire Wolds Way video
10 of the Best Walks from Coast to Country
Take a scenic road trip through the heart of the stunning Yorkshire Wolds and discover the inspiration behind some of David Hockney’s most celebrated landscapes. East Yorkshire provided the backdrop for a series of paintings that span 50 years of Hockney’s fascination with the area. Take on the whole itinerary, or a few select sites, to discover some of the locations that feature in his vivid paintings, including the famous Arrival of Spring in Woldgate, The Tunnel at Kilham and Bigger Trees Near Warter to name a few! Enjoy tearooms, galleries, stately homes and historic churches on route!
Stately homes are more than just a historic house. They have some of the most magnificent gardens and parkland for you to discover. Created by some of the greatest names in English garden design, they are a delight to explore on foot, whether it be a long distance walk, nature trail, or simply enjoying the delights of a walled garden.
Sweeping drives, terraces, groves of trees, herbaceous borders, topiaries and pavilions, deer enclosures, pergolas, walled gardens, mazes, well-manicured lawns and rough parkland - are just some of the delights on offer! All dog-friendly.
Enjoy your walk on a cold winter's day in your bobble hat and gloves or visit on a summer scorcher and find the perfect spot to throw open the picnic rug.
Take a stroll down Beverley Beck at your leisure and complete the Beckside Trail. Learn a little about the history of the Beck as you go and its importance to Beverley’s medieval guilds and crafts.
Children can amuse themselves with our Beckside Trail Quiz - download the questions and answer sheets below, and no peeking at the answers!
Booking
For health and safety reason some events have a maximum number of participants.
Booking is essential for these events and we ask you to bring your proof of purchase to the event.
Anyone without a proof of purchase who is not on our list may be asked to leave.
Key to events
Cancellations and refunds
The booking fee is non-refundable.
We will try to re-sell your tickets, provided you notify us of cancellations no later than 7 days in advance of the walk date, however, our own unsold tickets will take priority.
Arriving at your event
You are advised to arrive at the event at least 10 minutes before the start of each walk. There will be an event leader there to meet you whatever the weather.
In unsafe conditions, a safety assessment will be made and a decision may be taken to cancel the event is necessary.
Please note that finishing times for walks are approximate.
Photography
Please note: we may take photographs and film at our events.
This may be used for future publicity including brochures and social media.
If you have any objections please advice the leader at the start of the event.
All children and young people under-16 attending the events listed must be accompanied by an adult.
Well behaved dogs are welcome on specific walks and will be clearly marked in the walk description.
Dogs must be kept on short leads at all times. Walks are not guaranteed to be dog-friendly. You may need to help your dog over stiles.
Assistance dogs can attend events where relevant.
Clothing and what to bring
It is the responsibility of all walkers to ensure that they are physically fit enough to take part in the walks that they have selected and that they have appropriate clothing and equipment. For most walks, walking boots/shoes are essential.
Carry sufficient water for the length of the walk. Carry both sun protection and wet weather protection. Make sure you have sufficient water for the length of the walk and bring high energy snacks and a packed lunch where necessary. If refreshments are available at the event location this will be stated in the programme or when you make your booking.
The walk leader will exercise their right to refuse to take ill-equipped walkers.
Cycle rides
All cycles must be roadworthy and in good working condition. If in doubt please get your bike professionally serviced prior to the ride. All participants must wear a correctly-fitted cycle helmet.
On family rides, it is recommended that each adult is responsible for no more than 2 children.
Please ride your bike in accordance with the guidelines of the Highway Code.
Horse rides
Horse and rider must have the competence and fitness to take part in the event and, if riding your own horse, third party liability insurance.
Participants must wear a hi-vis jacket if provided, appropriate footwear, and a hard hat of the current standard.
Liability
Walking East Yorkshire Festival has endeavoured to ensure the safety of festival participants. It cannot, however, be held liable for any injury or loss of, or damage to, personal property, however caused.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information detailed in the festival, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and Visit East Yorkshire cannot accept responsibility for any errors and omissions nor for any consequences arising from the use of this website.
Any queries?
If you have an enquiry about any of the event including suitability, directions, accommodation please contact Beverley Tourist Information Centre.
Tel: (01482) 391672
