WALKERS can head out to Ilkley, Ben Rhydding and Shipley in the latest guided walks from Bradford Council.

The council’s Countryside Service volunteers are leading a couple of treks each week throughout the summer.

The next one will be entitled Fairfax, on Sunday June 9, and is a 6.5-mile circular walk starting with an easy ramble by the river then up to Denton Hall and back via Middleton woods and fields. Meet Ken Allen Senior at 11am at Ilkley Railway Station.

Wednesday June 12 will see a visit to Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve during an eight-mile walk led by Malcolm Gardner and starting at 10.30am at Menston station. A warden will show walkers around the reserve, which should have orchids in flower at this time of year. After lunch the walk will finish in Ilkley. Walkers can return to Menston by bus or train.

There’s another train ride on Sunday, June 16, but this time on the miniature railway in Northcliffe Woods, Shipley. The walk, just over two miles, will set off at 2pm from Cliffe Wood Avenue by the small car park for for Northcliffe Park. The family walk through a lovely part of Bradford district will offer views of the countryside.

A Summer Stride on Wednesday, June 19 will take in 7 miles on a varied, circular route on the south side of the Wharfe valley passing through Small Banks and Addingham. Meet Howard Lloyd at 10.30am at Wells Road car park, and return via the Dales Way along the River Wharfe or by bus.

Visit bradford.gov.uk/countryside for the full list of walks. This summer there are also walks at Bradley, Denholme, Cullingworth, Apperley Bridge, Bingley, Silsden and the Yorkshire Dales.