Mersey Valley Way is first National River Walk

Greater Manchester is getting England’s first National River Walk. The Mersey Valley Way runs for 21 kilometres-about a half marathon-linking communities in Manchester and Stockport. Confirmed by the UK Government on GOV.UK in December 2025, this is the first of nine river walks promised, one for every English region. Access Minister Baroness Hayman called it “21 kilometres of new paths” for local people to explore, and we think that’s a practical win for everyday walking close to home.

Here’s why it matters for access and fairness. People on lower incomes spend less time in green space, and in Stockport alone around 30,000 households are on low incomes. Opening up a safe, attractive riverside walk helps close that gap. When you can reach nature without a car, it removes cost barriers and gives families a nearby place to move, rest and meet.

If you’re travelling without a car, you’re covered. John Sanders at the Mersey Rivers Trust says more than three million people live within an hour of the route by public transport, with the Bee Network linking tram and bus journeys, and walk, wheel and cycle connections bringing you to the river’s edge. Parts of the path will be upgraded to meet accessibility standards for wheelchair users, mobility scooter riders and prams, with space for cyclists and horse‑riders where it is safe to do so.

You’ll also start to see a fresh identity. New signage will mark out the Mersey Valley Way as a National River Walk, and a logo competition is open to over 50 local schools and youth groups, with a winner due in February. It’s a neat way to bring young people into the design process and build pride in the places where they live.

Walking routes are good for local jobs too. When footfall grows, independent cafés, bike shops and community venues get more trade. The government frames the Mersey Valley Way as part of wider regeneration, and we’ll be watching how benefits reach small high streets as well as larger attractions. If you use the route, consider spending locally-your cuppa can keep the lights on for a neighbourhood business.

There’s a nature recovery side you can join. Plans include guided walks and volunteering on pond restoration, tackling invasive species, tree planting and putting up bird, bat and insect boxes. That means practical skills for young people, a stronger CV for jobseekers, and real gains for urban wildlife. If you’ve never volunteered before, start with a one‑off session and see how it feels.

Teachers, this route is a ready‑made classroom outside. In geography, students can map land use along the river and compare before‑and‑after images once signage and access upgrades go in. In science, a simple biodiversity count or a water‑quality snapshot near safe access points can introduce field methods. In maths, plan a section walk at different average speeds and work out timings from Bee Network timetables. In English, try place‑based writing after ten quiet minutes by the water. Build in risk assessments and clear meeting points, and you’ve got a cross‑curricular day that sticks.

If you’re new to walking, start small. Choose a short stretch, check the weather, bring layers and water, and wear shoes with grip. Aim for a comfortable pace where you can talk in full sentences. Regular time by water can lift mood and reduce stress, and for many of us a free riverside path is easier to keep up than a gym membership. Go with a friend, tell someone your plan, and keep dogs on leads near wildlife.

On the policy side, ministers say nine National River Walks are planned in total. The Mersey Valley Way is first, and bids to identify the next routes will open in 2026. The announcement sits alongside funding to make access more inclusive in England’s forests and news of two new National Forests, with a third expected next year. The thread running through all of this is clear: nature should be nearer to where people live.

What to look for next. New signs should appear along the Mersey Valley Way, the logo competition winner will be announced in February, and community consultation will shape the route so it works for wheelchair users, families and seasoned walkers alike. As ever, better access needs clean water too, so we’ll keep asking how agencies plan to improve river quality as well as paths. For now, if you live in Greater Manchester, you’ve gained a 21‑kilometre invitation to step outside.