Schools, churches, community organisations and faith groups come together each year for Walking Day. It's one of the most popular, vibrant and exciting days in Warrington’s calendar and is a local tradition since the event first started in 1834.
Warrington Walking Day
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Walking Day seating
Reserve seats in front of the Golden Gates on Sankey Street.
Walking Day - Friday 28 June 2024
Road closures
Phase 1 – between 7.30am and 1pm
Closure of Sankey Street between Crosfield Street and Legh Street
Closure of Winmarleigh Street between Sankey Street and Museum Street
Phase 2 – between 8am and 1pm
Closure of remaining streets within the town centre, apart from those covered under Phase 3
Access to Time Square multi-storey car park will be maintained
Phase 3 – between 9am and 1pm
Closure of Dial Street, Buttermarket Street, Academy Street, James Street, Naylor Street and Orford Street
Closure of Bank Street between Academy Way and Moulders Lane
Closure of Church Street between Manchester Road and Farrell Street
Closure of Crosfield Street between Midland Way and Sankey Street
Procession routes
In addition to the above, there are four procession routes into the town centre. Phased road closures will be applied to allow for the safe passage of the schools, churches, community organisations and faith groups into and out of the town centre, before and after the main walk.
Route 1 – between 9am and 10am
Closure of the outbound section of Knutsford Road from Grange Avenue, Latchford to Bridge Foot, and across Bridge Foot into Bridge Street
Closure of New Road between Lord Street and York Street
Closure of York Street between New Road and Knutsford Road
Route 2 – between 9.25am and 10am
Closure of Church Street between Farrell Street and Mersey Street
Route 3 – between 9.30am and 1pm
Closure of Rhodes Street, Buckley Street, Legh Street, Edgworth Street, Bewsey Street, Orford Lane, Pinners Brow, Tanners Lane, Midland Way, Legh Street and Bath Street
Route 4 – between 10am and 1pm
Closure of Liverpool Road between Milner Street and Crosfield Street
Closure of Milner Street
Car parking
Car parking is available in the town centre. Find out more about council run car parks.
Deliveries for residents and businesses
If you live or run a business within the town centre, access to your property will be restricted while road closures are in place on Walking Day. It is advised that deliveries are rescheduled for when all roads have re-opened.
History
It dates back to the early 1880s and it is said that early 'walking days' were introduced as a counter-attraction to the Old Newton Races, now well-known as Haydock Park Races. The date was arranged to coincide with the last day of the race meeting, generally on a Friday and it is only in more recent times that the walks are held annually on the Friday nearest to 1 July.
Reverend Powys, Rector of Warrington in 1832, was accredited with its introduction, and the concept of people walking together as an expression of Christian Witness originated from this.
In 1873, Walking Day was chosen to celebrate the official opening of Warrington Town Hall, which was the first year the procession passed through the Golden Gates instead of through the Old Market Place near Golden Square Shopping Centre.
Community tradition
Thousands of the town’s population will be lining the traditional route to enjoy this popular annual occasion, which is now regarded as a step towards the erasure of historical differences between the various churches and their ecumenical aims.
At precisely 10.30am the members of the parish church will, by tradition, walk through the beautiful and famous ceremonial gates to begin the procession, followed by other participating churches from inner Warrington, all proclaiming their Christian faith.
For over 100 years, Warrington Walking Day has given an enormous amount of pleasure not only to those actually taking part in the walks, but also to those who watch along the various routes. It is hoped that it will continue to do so in the years to come.
14 June 2024