Worcester has been ranked among the cities with the best walks for elderly people in the UK.

The city scored particularly well for its air quality and was ranked in ninth position overall, alongside Leeds.

Analysis by Lottie.org, a website which helps people find care homes, revealed the British cities with the best walks for elderly people.

Researchers looked at the number of routes available in each city, the gradient of those routes, the number of sunshine hours in each location, the distance from each walk to the nearest care home, air quality and amenities.

Cities were given a score out of 10 for each factor and ranked on their overall average.

Worcester came in joint ninth place with a score of 4.17 out of 10, alongside Leeds. It had a strong showing in the air quality category with a score of 8.33.

Taking first position is Lincoln with an average rating of 6.72 out of 10. The city had the best score for average steepness in the study (10/10), meaning walkers should have a relatively level path while taking in the city’s impressive historical architecture.

National Walking Month 2022 takes place in May

London occupies second place with an overall score of 6.61. The capital boasts high appraisals in a number of categories, including average care home proximity (9.17) and amenities/accessibility (9.72). 

Completing the top three, is St. Albans. With a rating of 6.28, the Hertfordshire city owes its high placement to its top care home proximity (10 out of 10), combined with high sunshine hours and relatively forgiving gradients.

Lottie co-founder Will Donnelly said: “Exercise protects physical health and boosts mental wellbeing, making it important to leading a happy life.

“And if being surrounded by nature may help to engage elderly relatives, you could plan trips with them to experience some of Britain’s iconic walks.”

National Walking Month takes place throughout May and will see events taking place around the country to encourage people to get out and about, including walking to school and work.

The British Heart Foundation is among the charities organising events and fundraisers throughout the month.