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Welcome to Whitchurch Walkers Walking in and around
Whitchurch Shropshire - a Walkers are Welcome town Walks Programme Local routes
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Walkers are
Welcome in Whitchurch, Shropshire
Whitchurch was granted "Walkers are Welcome" status in 2012 and became part of a national network of around a 100 small towns and villages. Currently it is the only one in North Shropshire and one of 6 in the county. This means that Whitchurch is doing its bit to make the town and its surrounding footpaths attractive to walkers. The P3 team is contantly helping to maintain and improve the local network of paths. Whitchurch Walkers works with Shropshire and other nearby councils to try to resolve problems and protect the interests of walkers which may be affected by development. Visitors are greeted by welcome boards at the railway station and the town centre car park on the Sandstone Trail and Shropshire Way. There is also a dedicated noticeboard in the town centre which includes a map of the local footpath network.
Since 2013, an annual walking festival has been held over three days in May which has attracted 150 - 200 participants annually and helped to increase membership of local walking groups. Whitchurch Town Council has supported the festival and has taken on the payment of the town's Walkers are Welcome Towns Network subscription. Local businesses have supported the festival and Walkers are Welcome generally, in various ways including the display of "Walkers are Welcome here" stickers [see below]. [updated 31 May 2025]
Whitchurch was granted "Walkers are Welcome" status in 2012 and became part of a national network of around a 100 small towns and villages. Currently it is the only one in North Shropshire and one of 6 in the county. This means that Whitchurch is doing its bit to make the town and its surrounding footpaths attractive to walkers. The P3 team is contantly helping to maintain and improve the local network of paths. Whitchurch Walkers works with Shropshire and other nearby councils to try to resolve problems and protect the interests of walkers which may be affected by development. Visitors are greeted by welcome boards at the railway station and the town centre car park on the Sandstone Trail and Shropshire Way. There is also a dedicated noticeboard in the town centre which includes a map of the local footpath network.
Since 2013, an annual walking festival has been held over three days in May which has attracted 150 - 200 participants annually and helped to increase membership of local walking groups. Whitchurch Town Council has supported the festival and has taken on the payment of the town's Walkers are Welcome Towns Network subscription. Local businesses have supported the festival and Walkers are Welcome generally, in various ways including the display of "Walkers are Welcome here" stickers [see below]. [updated 31 May 2025]
National Walkers are Welcome
Get-Together 2023
Over
the weekend of 3rd to 5th November, Whitchurch (Shropshire) hosted the
Walkers are Welcome (WaW) Annual Get-Together (AGT) 2023.
The venue for the Friday evening folk session was always to be The Archibald Worthington Club, but also became the venue for the Saturday events following the closure of The Civic Centre due to the discovery of RAAC concrete in a critical condition.
The weekend was a success, with delegates from 18 towns attending. We had been hoping for more towns sending delegates to participate in and enjoy the weekend, but alas it was not to be. The main aims of the AGTs is to hold the WaW General Meeting and hear the reports from WaW officers and to provide an opportunity for delegates to network with other towns (to share ideas and issues).
The venue for the Friday evening folk session was always to be The Archibald Worthington Club, but also became the venue for the Saturday events following the closure of The Civic Centre due to the discovery of RAAC concrete in a critical condition.
The weekend was a success, with delegates from 18 towns attending. We had been hoping for more towns sending delegates to participate in and enjoy the weekend, but alas it was not to be. The main aims of the AGTs is to hold the WaW General Meeting and hear the reports from WaW officers and to provide an opportunity for delegates to network with other towns (to share ideas and issues).
Despite the low turn-out, over 50 people attended and enjoyed a Friday evening of folk (and other) music to start
the weekend, together with a welcome drink provided by one of our
sponsors, Pellitec Blister Prevention and a hot pot cooked and served
by volunteers from our fantastic walking club.
On the Saturday, following the General Meeting, presentations were held on the subjects of Slow Ways, footpath maintenance and working with local wildlife groups. Delegates were presented with a goody bag advertising Whitchurch as a walking destination. The bags were purchased thanks to the sponsorship of Involved Holidays, who also offered a holiday discount to WaW members.
On the Saturday, following the General Meeting, presentations were held on the subjects of Slow Ways, footpath maintenance and working with local wildlife groups. Delegates were presented with a goody bag advertising Whitchurch as a walking destination. The bags were purchased thanks to the sponsorship of Involved Holidays, who also offered a holiday discount to WaW members.
The day’s activities were followed by a Gala Dinner
at The Hill Valley Hotel, Spa and Golf Course, after which we
participated in a beetle drive – a new experience for many there!
On the Sunday, many joined two walks that were offered. One was a tour of Greenfields Local Nature Reserve and led by Malcolm Monie and Paul Sears, volunteers with the Whitchurch Branch of The Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The second walk was led by Janice Leyland, a volunteer with the Whitchurch Heritage Centre and Museum, who gave some insights into the heritage of Whitchurch from Roman times to the present day.
On the Sunday, many joined two walks that were offered. One was a tour of Greenfields Local Nature Reserve and led by Malcolm Monie and Paul Sears, volunteers with the Whitchurch Branch of The Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The second walk was led by Janice Leyland, a volunteer with the Whitchurch Heritage Centre and Museum, who gave some insights into the heritage of Whitchurch from Roman times to the present day.
The Whitchurch Walkers committee would also like to thank the following:
The hotpot cooks and servers – Sheila, Therese, Christine & Alan
The speakers – Jan Stevenson, Naomi Wrighton, Matthew Lanham & Malcolm Monie
The staff of The Archibald Worthington Club – Judy, Aaron & Joe
The Hill Valley - Sarah, Jacqueline & Libby
The sponsors - Involved Holidays & Pellitec Blister Prevention
Whitchurch Town Council, Mayor Andy Hall & Town Clerk Mike McDonald
The musicians of the local folk music scene
The speakers – Jan Stevenson, Naomi Wrighton, Matthew Lanham & Malcolm Monie
The staff of The Archibald Worthington Club – Judy, Aaron & Joe
The Hill Valley - Sarah, Jacqueline & Libby
The sponsors - Involved Holidays & Pellitec Blister Prevention
Whitchurch Town Council, Mayor Andy Hall & Town Clerk Mike McDonald
The musicians of the local folk music scene
| Places
to eat, drink, or sleep* |
Retailers,
services etc |
| Book Shrop | |
| The Black Bear, High
Street |
High Street Barbers |
| The White Lion, Ash |
Beauty Clinic, Watergate/Bullring |
| Chesters Fish & Chips, Green End | Civic Centre, High
Street |
| Walkers, High Street, |
Archibald Worthington Club,
Castle Hill |
| The Red Cow, Pepper
Street |
Age of Elegance,
High Street |
| Reubens Bar & BBQ,
Pepper Street* |
Refill your Boots,
High Street |
| Costa, High Street |
Wagstaffes of
Whitchurch , Watergate |
| Old Town Hall Vaults,
St Mary's /Back Street |
Whitchurch Museum &
Archives, St Mary Street |
| Whixall Marina, Cafe | Fat Cats & Flowers,
Green End |
| Moo and Boom, Green
End |
Pets 2000, White
Lion Meadow |
| |
Powells Pies,
Watergate Arcade |
| Lorna's House, High Street |
|
| Hopscotch & Skittles,
High Street |
|
| Raven Yard Antiques , Watergate |
- you are displaying a "Walkers are Welcome here" sticker but are not listed here
- you would like a sticker and be added to the list
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