7 Best Parks To Visit In Worcestershire
There are loads of great days out in Worcestershire – from animal encounters at West Midland Safari Park to the elegant grounds of Croome, this is an area that’s got tons of different options.
Costs can add up though – and frankly, sometimes the constant activity can get a bit too much (especially for smaller kids). Sometimes you need a more low-key activity– and that’s where free fun at Worcestershire parks and playgrounds comes in.
Want to let the kids clamber over climbing frames or splash in fountains? Fancy an ice cream by the bandstand? It’s all here in our list of the best parks in Worcestershire.
Droitwich Lido Park
You’ll need to pay to get into the open-air saltwater pool itself, but there are plenty of free things to do around the attached Droitwich Lido Park – play games on the tennis courts, let the kids loose at the play area or simply stroll around and feed the ducks.
If you’d like to get in a bit of classic British summertime entertainment, come along on Sunday afternoon when jazz and brass bands take to the bandstand.
Gheluvelt Park
Picnic spots, playgrounds and a water play area… Gheluvelt Park is a very handy place to know about on a warm day in Worcester (and there’s even a free car park at the Waterworks Road entrance).
A lot of thought has gone into the facilities here: the playground has areas for older and younger children (plus covered seating for weary parents), and the Splashpad has a whole lot of fountains for kids to get soaked by.
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St Wulstan’s Local Nature Reserve
For something rather quieter, head to St Wulstan’s, one of the area’s best nature reserves. This woodland area is a great choice for a Worcestershire walk without too much effort: there are some splendid views of the Malvern Hills from here, but the trails here are pleasingly flat.
As you wander, listen out for woodpeckers in the trees and keep an eye out for all sorts of colourful butterflies. On summer evenings you might even see glow worms in the grass.
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Abbey Park, Evesham
Evesham’s a lovely place to visit, and Abbey Park is certainly part of the attraction. Next to the clock tower that’s the only remaining part of the original 6th-century abbey, this is a central spot that’s handy for time out, picnics and play time.
Smaller kids can spend time at the play area or splash in the fountains, and there’s a skate park for older ones. Abbey Park is on the banks of the River Avon too, with boat trips available in summer. The bandstand hosts live music on summer weekends.
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Abbey Park, Pershore
Not to be outdone by its local namesake, Pershore’s Abbey Park is just as nice a place to spend some time. The abbey here is still very much intact, so pop in there to have a look before taking your lunch out to the park’s picnic areas.
There are water play areas here too, but if you’d rather stay dry you can take a walk along the raised boardwalk to explore the wetland area and see what wildlife you can spot.
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Sanders Park, Bromsgrove
Out in the west of Bromsgrove and with a brook running through the middle, Sanders Park is the town’s top picnic spot. There are plenty of cool spots under the trees or sunnier ones out on the lawned areas.
For a bit of activity while you’re here, there’s a play area, a skate park and a couple of tennis courts. The sensory garden is a lovely place for a bit of peaceful chillout time.
Worcester Woods Country Park
Worcester Woods is one of those country parks that has so much going for it: it’s got a free car park, it’s served by regular buses from the city and there are plenty of accessible facilities (including the picnic area and Woodland Trail).
This is a great choice for a free day out in Worcestershire: you could easily spend several hours following the trails, hanging out at the play area or flying kites.
With the money you’ve saved on entrance fees, you might like to hire a barbecue here or splash out in the Orchard Café (although you could also treat yourself to a drink in one of Worcestershire’s best pubs…)
Building a whole holiday in this area? Check out our longer list of the best things to do in Worcestershire.