The heritage trail allows visitors to discover Bingley’s rich and fascinating history. It was designed and built by artist consortium Don’t Panic Arts Cru: Jenna Greenwood, Ben Holden and Adam Blackwood collaborating with local historians, schools and community groups to decide the content and create the trail.
The trail starts with a ‘time tunnel’ at the railway station which outlines Bingley’s history from the first local artworks on Bingley moor made around 3000BCE, through to the foundation of the market town in the 13th century and up to the present day. It then leads to Five Rise Locks for information about the canal and engineering marvel of the locks which opened in 1774 to a crowd of 30,000 people. The walk continues uphill via Beck Lane to Prince of Wales Park where the installations reflect its origins as a ‘Peoples’ Park’ that opened in 1863.
The trail then leads down Park Road to Market Square with an installation next to the historic Market Hall and Butter Cross built in 1693. It finishes in Myrtle Park with a display board reflecting Bingley Show, where visitors can sit on a pig or a goat while enjoying the views of hills, woodland and the Aire.
Last Sunday Bingley Walkers are Welcome led two guided walks for the first visits to the trail. A ribbon was cut at the railway station to open the trail, with representatives from the five community groups who worked with the artists: Friends of Prince of Wales Park, Action Stations, Bingley & District Local History Society, Friends of Myrtle Park and Bingley Walkers are Welcome. Local town and district councillors attended, with a speech by town councillor Philippa Gibbons, who convened the working group.
Cllr Gibbons said the installation was made possible by a grant from the 1887 Alfred Sharp memorial trust for the education of children and adults in Bingley and a grant from Bingley Town Council. She thanked district councillor Susan Fricker who had brought community groups to work together since 2023 to make the most of the opportunities of City of Culture designation, and Bradford Council, Northern Rail and The Canal and River Trust who supported the installations.
Cllr Susan Fricker said: “I’m so pleased we have been able to use 1887 Alfred Sharp Memorial Trust funds held by Bradford Council to support this project, and thank Bingley Town Council for their generous funding. It has been truly inspiring to see so many Bingley schools and community groups come together to work with these amazing artists to create this fun and informative trail for everybody who lives in or visits Bingley to enjoy. It gives schools opportunity to bring local history to life and walking the trail is a wonderful way to get out and enjoy our special town. It’s great that we have been able to bring this trail to life in 2025, our year as UK City of Culture.”
The trail is family friendly and accessible. The walk is about 1.5 miles and takes about two hours at a leisurely pace. There are narrow footpaths, some rough ground and some steep uphill and downhill sections. The map can be accessed at bingleyheritagetrail.co.uk or from Bingley locations including Hedgehog Organic. Over coming months, the website will be used as an archive to link to more detailed information.
Sunday’s event was part of Heritage Open Days, a nationwide festival of history and culture running until September 21
