* Where creativity meets walking in the city

The lineup has been announced for the Bristol Walk Fest launch event on Friday 1 May, bringing together artists, advocates and innovators for an evening exploring the meeting of creativity and city walking. The event will be held at Hamilton House, Stokes Croft.

The 2026 launch celebrates walking as a creative and cultural act, with an evening of guest speakers reflecting the breadth of Bristol's arts scene. (bios below)

* Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength Theatre Company

* Anita Karla Kelly, Misfits Theatre Company

* Hana Sutch, Go Jauntly

* Dr Subitha Bagirathan, Soultrail Wellbeing CIC

Pre-launch walk: an evening that starts on foot

"We couldn't launch a festival of walking without putting on a walk too, so this is an evening that starts on foot," said Karen Lloyd, Bristol Walk Fest manager.

Launch event attendees are invited to join an exclusive city centre walking tour led by Show of Strength Theatre Company. Created especially for Bristol Walk Fest, the walk is led by Sheila Hannon and actor Gerard Cooke and offers a taste of Show of Strength's walks, three of which feature in this year's Bristol Walk Fest programme.

Walkers will get a glimpse into the Bristol of Blackbeard, Cary Grant, King Henry VII and Long John Silver, and a stop not featured on any other walk (yet) - the prison where ten Bristol women were held before being transported to Australia as convicts in 1817.

Details

Friday 1 May

* Evening launch event: Hamilton House, Stokes Croft, Bristol, 7-9pm

* Pre-launch walk: 5.30pm, starts Queen Square area (exact location shared on booking), ends at Hamilton House, 6.45pm (limited spaces)

Tickets: event only £5 / walk and event £10 Book here: www.eventbookings.com/b/event/bristol-walk-fest-2026-launch-eventMore information: https://www.bristolwalkfest.com/event/bwf-launch-event

Bristol Walk Fest runs throughout May, coinciding with National Walking Month. With over 400 walks and events across the city, most of them free, there is something for all interests and abilities.

About the speakers

* Sheila Hannon, Show of Strength Theatre Company

Sheila is Show of Strength's co-founder and one of ten finalists for Visit England's 'Tourism Superstar' award, nominated by Visit West. She writes the company's theatre walks and leads them along with associate producer Gerard Cooke.

Q&A with Sheila Hannon: www.bristolwalkfest.com/qa-sheila-hannon

* Anita Karla Kelly, Misfits Theatre Company

Anita is artistic lead at Misfits and has been working with learning disabled adults to develop their voices and create new work since 2005. Her practice focuses on collaboration, accessibility and creating space for artists who are unheard to tell their stories. Anita will be joined by Bill Loveridge and Rob Traill, both actors, poets, trainers and longstanding members of Misfits.

Q&A & Misfits audio poetry trail: www.bristolwalkfest.com/qa-with-misfits

* Hana Sutch, Go Jauntly

Hana is co-founder and CEO at Go Jauntly, a multi-award-winning walking, wayfinding and nature connection app. The app breaks down barriers to walking by helping people discover urban walks and enjoy outdoor adventures with friends.

* Dr Subitha Baghirathan

Awarded an Honorary Doctorate by UWE for 11 years advancing health equity in Bristol, she collaborates with Soultrail Wellbeing CIC, supporting nature-based programmes for People of Colour and leading Poetry in Nature walks.

Visit the Bristol Walk Fest Press & Media Centre for more info, quick stats, editor's notes, images, quotes and more. www.bristolwalkfest.com/press-media

Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/