Active Birkby Club
In 2024, we worked with Yorkshire Sport to get people in Birkby to head outdoors and be more active to improve their wellbeing. With some funding, we were able to hold activity taster sessions, celebration events and run regular activity sessions as well as promote other activities that were going on in the Birkby area. That funding has now come to an end, but we still want want to keep this movement alive and offer you some resources that we made as part of the project:
Birkby Walk, Jog, Run
Most Monday mornings, you will find a group starting off with some gentle stretches and then walking, jogging or running around Norman Park at a pace that suits them.
Birkby Evening Walks
This group meets on Thursday evenings at 7pm in Norman Park for an hour's stroll, to stretch their legs after tea and set themselves up for a good night’s sleep.
These aren’t organised groups, just Birkby locals heading out for some gentle exercise, so if in doubt, please make sure you have checked with a medical professional before you start any new exercise regime. If you would like us to introduce you to these groups, please email us at: contact @s2r.org.uk or you can keep up to date with all the latest news on our Active Birkby Club Facebook page.
Fitness Classes at Premier Taekwondo
It’s not all high kicks and breaking boards at our local Taekwondo club. You can also join in with their Fitness Classes which use free-flowing movements harnessing the power of your own body weight to build strength and stamina. Check out their website for more information or to book onto a class.
Walking alone, with friends or family
If you would prefer not to walk with a group then have a look our walking guides. They come with handy GPX files to help you navigate the routes on your smartphone and you can also pick up paper copies at Birkby and Fartown Library, local GP surgeries, schools and other community locations.
Birkby walking guides
Regularly taking part in an activity like walking is so good for you. It can burn calories, lower your blood sugar, ease joint pains, boost your immune system and it also gets you outside and into nature which can give your mental health and wellbeing a boost too!
You can walk pretty much anywhere that has a path, but to help you get started, here are a few of our favourite walks along the Grimescar Valley and around Birkby:
Short Grimescar Dyke Walk
Distance: 2.1 km (1.3 miles approx.)
Download a .GPX file for this route
Grimescar Valley from Norman Park
Distance: 5 km (3 miles approx.)
Download a .GPX file for this route
Birkby Green Spaces Walk
Distance: 5 km (3 miles approx.)
Download a .GPX file for this route
Birkby Views Walk
Distance: 5.2 km (3.2 miles approx.)
Download a .GPX file for this route
River Walk From Birkby
Distance: 5.4 km (3.4 miles approx.)
Download a .GPX file for this route
Birkby to Castle Hill
Distance: 6.7 km (4.2 miles approx.)
Download a .GPX file for this route
Active Birkby Club Walking Leaflet
We've been exploring Birkby and would like to share some of our walks with you! So grab your coat, step out of your front door and start exploring your neighbourhood on foot...
Other activities happening in Birkby
There are lots of other free and low-cost activities taking place every week in Birkby too, take a look at the handy schedule of activities below to find out more...
Keep up on social media
We try to keep people informed about chances to get active through the Active Birkby Club Facebook page, or perhaps you might want to join the Active Birkby Club WhatsApp group...
If you need more information about anything to do with Active Birkby Club or would like to join the Active Birkby Club WhatsApp group, please email us at: contact@s2r.org.uk.
You can also check out the rest of our website for other ways to look after your wellbeing - there may well be new taster sessions and opportunities coming up in the near future, so keep your eyes peeled and we will help you to get moving!