Nature Time Walks and Rides

Experience the delights of time in nature!

“Just magical!” (Simon)

**Join our seasonal Nature Time Walks in 2023. Confirmed dates are – Spring Walk on Sunday 2 April, Mid-Summer Walk on Saturday 24 June and Autumn Walk on Sunday 1 October. Booking details on here and YBB Social Media at least 2 weeks before.
We are currently applying for funding for our original Take the Green Route! project. This will include weekly, accessible creative workshops, nature walks, rides and wild gardening activities. We aim to start the project in Autumn 2023.
Follow us on YBB Social Media for the latest news.**

What are the Nature Time Walks and Rides?

Join us for an inspiring Nature experience – you’ll get closer to nature, meet new friends, and feel better after some gentle exercise in the fresh air.
The Nature Time Walks and Rides are relaxing outdoor activities in beautiful green routes and spaces in York. We enjoy time in a small group connecting with the natural world, and with each other.
The walks and rides are usually a short distance. We move at an easy pace, with plenty of time to notice, enjoy, and talk about the natural world around us. There are benches on most walk routes, and we take breaks where desired. Please allow between one and two hours for the experience.
Everyone is welcome!
If you would like to commission a dedicated Nature Walk or Ride for your organisation, cost is £240 for up to 12 participants.
Email sheridan.yorkbikebelles@gmail.com with any queries.

Here’s some of our Walks and Rides from 2022:

Nature Time Walk

Sunday 2 October 2022 – Meet York’s Remarkable City Trees – Sold Out

This Autumn, walk with us around the gardens, parks and green streets of the city centre to discover York’s remarkable City Trees.
We’ll stroll and meet the majestic Pear-Barked Beech, the fabulously striped Tibetan Cherry, the golden Ginkgo, the rare Wollemi Pine, the orange Maples, the charming avenues of Lime and Plane Trees, and many more!
We’ll get to know the feel of their bark, their leaves and seeds and listen to the birds that live in their branches.
Do you know which of these trees were around before the dinosaurs? 🙂
Come along, and find out more!
This Walk takes place in York Environment Week and the Great Big Green Week 2022.

Nature Time Ride

Sunday 30 October 2022 – Ride out to explore the magic of Moorlands Nature Reserve – Sold Out

We’ll ride out to the north of the city along the lovely riverside Greenway to Skelton, then along country lanes to the Moorlands Nature Reserve.
We’ll park up and take a stroll around this most magical spot with its wooded life, ponds, and splendid sculpture trail – all looking glorious in Autumn colours!
Hope you can join us!

Walk and Ride Practicalities

Group sizes are kept small, currently limited to 15. You can book a place via Eventbrite by clicking on the event headings above.
Check the weather forecast beforehand and wear suitable clothing. Please do not attend if you are unwell and bring any personal medication with you. For a walk, wear walk and mud-friendly shoes. For a ride, bring a roadworthy bike, spare inner tube and working lights.
We try to make all our walks and rides accessible for people of all ages, abilities and life situations. Please get in touch before the activity if you need any additional support, and we’ll do our best to meet your needs. We ask that you self-assess your own capability to join the activity.
Finally, please travel to the start point by walking, cycling or public transport if you can. All start points are easily accessible by bus or bike.

What are the benefits of Nature Walks and Rides?

You’ll improve your health by being active outdoors and meeting new people in a friendly group. You’ll learn more about trees, plants and wildlife in some of the delightful nature-rich green spaces around York, and take away some ideas on how to care for nature yourself.
By tuning into nature, you’ll improve your mental well-being. People who are more connected to nature are happier and more satisfied with life, with greater vitality, and feel their lives have greater meaning and purpose. Research shows that connection with nature can reduce anxiety and stress, improve self-esteem, improve mood and sleep quality and help you gain a sense of peace. A wonder healer indeed!
Have a listen to an audio recording of a Nature Time Walk, and two short Nature Time Walk and Ride Videos below:
And check out our Spring and Summer nature experiences earlier this year.

YBB Programme

Nature Time Walks and Rides are part of our free programme of walking, cycling and nature activities, communications and volunteering for York residents, all year round. We arrange support and flexibility where needed.
We hope you’ll join our activities this year. You’ll walk and cycle more, and enjoy a healthy, sociable and green lifestyle. Plus, you’ll get outdoors, feel well, meet new friends, tune into nature, be climate-friendly and enjoy life more! 
Check out our other activities.
If you can’t make any of the nature activities, or they are booked up, we have created over 25 Nature Time Routes around York that you can enjoy in your own time. Have a look at our Nature Time Routes.

Thank you!

A sincere thank you to the Purey Cust Trust in York for part-funding these activities in 2022.

Can you help our Nature Time Walks and Rides grow?

YBB relies on grants, donations and sponsorship to fund our work. Your donation will enable us to offer Nature Walks, Rides and Experiences to more people in York. Please donate here.
Copyright 2023. Nature Time Walks and Rides are an original York Bike Belles’ initiative, all rights reserved.