Worcester (From Worcester News)

Worcester

11:05am Monday 6th September 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

THIS is a lovely walk exploring the greener parts of Worcester, from the rural hamlet of Bevere to leafy streets full of Georgian and Victorian charm.

It could easily take a full day because it’s quite long and there are plenty of places along the way where you might be tempted to linger.

However, if you don’t fancy such a long walk, do bear in mind that it can be treated as several short walks in one and you can very easily cherry-pick the bits you like best.

If you live in the city, particularly in places such as Northwick, Barbourne, Astwood or Blackpole, much of it can be easily accessed from your doorstep.

It includes most of the recently created Northwick Manor Heritage Trail, which is only three miles long, and you might choose just to do this. It’s a delightful walk and it’s fully waymarked, so only the briefest route description is included here. There are eight beautifully illustrated information panels along the trail which are richly informative about aspects of local history, land use, industry and wildlife.

Alternatively, by using one of the shortcuts marked on the map (Old Northwick Lane or Northwick Fields), you could do all the riverside sections of the walk, together with Northwick, but leave the Perdiswell and canal loop for another time.

Or, for a very short riverside walk of about two miles, you might choose just to visit the recently opened Diglis Bridge, which has created many new walking and cycling possibilities in and around Worcester.

While this is obviously good news for leisure users, the bridge’s real importance lies in its potential for reducing traffic. It’s part of a lottery-funded project, due to be completed in spring 2012, linking places such as St Peter’s, Cherry Orchard and Diglis directly to Lower Wick, Powick and St John’s.

Its potential for commuter use is enormous, but whether that potential will be fulfilled remains to be seen.

FACT FILE

Start: Worcester Bridge, grid ref SO846547 (or wherever is most convenient).

Length: 10½ miles/17km (but easily shortened).

Maps: OS Explorer 204, OS Landranger 150, Worcester Walking and Cycling Map, published by Worcestershire County Council and available at the Tourist Information Centre and Pumphouse Environment Centre.

Terrain: Riverside meadows and towpath, canal towpath, parkland, quiet lanes, residential streets, flat and easy throughout.

Footpaths: Excellent.

Stiles: One (at Bevere).

Refreshments: Abundant, including the café at the cathedral, the Diglis House Hotel, Café Loco, the Cavalier by the canal and cafés at the Pumphouse Environment Centre (Wednesday-Saturday) and Bevere Gallery (Tuesday-Sunday and bank holidays).

DIRECTIONS

1 Walk downstream along the east bank of the Severn, passing the cathedral, the canal basins and the locks. Cross Diglis Bridge and walk upstream along the west bank.

Cross New Road and continue along the west bank to Sabrina Bridge. Cross the river and head upstream on the east bank.

2 At the far end of Pitchcroft, when you can go no further along the riverbank, proceed into Gheluvelt Riverside Conservation Area and cross to the far side, leaving the conservation area at a bridge over Barbourne Brook. Turn left along Tower Road, which becomes Park View Terrace, and is also cycle route 46. Keep straight on, still on Park View Terrace, when the cycle route turns right.

Keep straight on again at a junction with Chacewater Avenue and after a short distance you will see a flight of steps providing access to the riverbank. Continue to Northwick Lido.

3 Join the Northwick Manor Heritage Trail, following it upstream to pass Bevere Island, soon after which it leaves the river and heads south to pass through Bevere Green, forsaking footpaths now and using Northwick Road instead. About 400m after passing the top of Old Northwick Lane, the heritage trail makes a right turn into a recreation ground, the former Northwick Fields. Leave the trail and continue along the road for a few more metres to find a footpath on the left. Follow it to Southall Avenue and turn right to meet Ombersley Road. Cross over, turn left and take Checketts Lane.

Keep to the right-hand side, so that when you reach Droitwich Road you can cross it at the traffic lights.

4 Take the road to Perdiswell Park. Keep straight on at all junctions until you enter the park then turn left on a track, signed ‘footpath link via canal bridge to Drovers’ Way’. Take the right-hand option (waymarked with a yellow arrow) at a three-ways junction.

Turn right at the next junction (where the waymarked path goes left) and then left at two subsequent junctions, keeping to the edge of a golf course. Turn right when you come to a Tjunction in woodland. Emerging from the trees, continue through fields and past the golf course on a well-trodden path to find a waymarked bridleway/footpath junction. Fork left on the bridleway and follow it to the edge of the park. Go left, joining the Monarch’s Way, and left again a few paces further on.

5 Cross the canal at bridge 17, join the towpath and turn left towards the city centre. Leave the canal at bridge 12, by the Cavalier, and walk along St George’s Lane North. Pass Shrubbery Road, turn right at the next junction, and then soon left on St George’s Road South. Follow it to Barbourne Road, turn right, cross at the lights and turn left. Take Brewery Walk for a few paces and then Thorneloe Walk. Turn left at a T-junction and you’ll soon find access to Pitchcroft on your right, or you may prefer to stay on the track which runs along the edge of it, perhaps entering Pitchcroft further along. Either way, it’s just a short distance back to the start.

Your Worcester News recommends the use of OS Explorer Maps, your ideal passport to navigating the countryside. This walk is based on OS Explorer 204.