Community walking tours are a wonderful way to explore a town, share local history, and meet neighbours. A volunteer guide leads a small group along a route through streets, parks, and landmarks, sharing stories that visitors would never find in a guidebook. Yet many walking tours quietly exclude people who use wheelchairs, who have visual or hearing impairments, or who tire quickly. This article offers a practical accessibility checklist for organisers who want their tours to welcome everyone, without requiring expensive equipment or specialist training.
Choosing and checking the route
The route is the first and most important decision. Walk it yourself before the tour, ideally at the same time of day as the planned event, and note every obstacle. Look for steep slopes, uneven paving, narrow pavements, kerbs without dropped edges, and long stretches with no benches. Many accessibility problems only become visible when you walk the route slowly, so take the time to do it properly.
Consider alternatives in advance. A short diversion around a steep hill, or a route that uses a wider pavement, may make a significant difference. Write down the step-free options and mark them on the route card so that the guide can offer them without delay. Where a stretch cannot be avoided, tell participants about it in advance so that they can decide whether to join.
Check public facilities along the way. Know where accessible toilets are located, where benches are placed for rest, and where shelter from rain or sun can be found. Readers may also want to visit .
Communicating before the tour
Information should be available before people arrive. Publish the route length, the expected duration, the number of stops, and any steep or uneven sections in plain language. Say whether the tour is suitable for wheelchair users, people with pushchairs, and those with limited walking stamina. Being honest about what the route involves allows people to choose confidently.
Provide a way for people to ask questions in advance. A contact phone number or message address, with a promise to reply within a set time, makes it easier for people with particular needs to plan. Ask participants whether they need any support, such as a guide who can slow down, a seat at each stop, or printed information in a larger font. Offer these adjustments without making people explain their conditions in detail if they prefer not to. You can also visit for more reading.
Making the tour inclusive on the day
On the day, the guide should speak clearly and face the group when talking. People who lip-read or use hearing aids rely on this simple habit. Repeat questions from other participants before answering, so that everyone can follow the discussion. Provide written notes or a simple handout that summarises the key points, which helps people who find it hard to hear or who want to refer to the information later.
Pace the walk to suit the slowest member comfortably. A group that rushes often leaves people behind, while a group that stops regularly allows everyone to keep up. Check in at each stop with a simple question, such as whether anyone needs a rest or would like to move closer to the front. Those small gestures make a tour feel welcoming rather than tiring.
Here is a short checklist to use during the tour:
1. Confirm that everyone can hear the guide at the first stop
2. Check that the route ahead is clear and the planned rest points are open
3. Ask whether anyone needs a seat, a drink, or a slower pace
4. Note any obstacles that appear, such as roadworks, and adjust the route
5. Thank participants at the end and invite feedback for future tours
Learning from feedback
After the tour, ask participants what worked and what could be better. Include a question about accessibility directly, so that people feel able to share concerns. Keep a simple record of comments and changes, and review them before the next tour. Many organisers find that small changes, such as adding a bench or moving a stop, have a large effect on who can take part.
For a related read on this site, see . Where legal duties apply, such as obligations relating to access to public premises, seek advice from a qualified professional who understands the rules in your area.
An accessible walking tour is one that people can join with confidence. Walk the route in advance, communicate clearly, adapt the pace on the day, and listen carefully to feedback. Each tour that welcomes a wider range of people makes the community a little more connected and a little more open.
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