Nothing shouts summer like packing up a picnic and heading to the park to eat al fresco. Within Worcestershire’s Vale & Spa there’s a plethora of parks and open spaces to choose from with all the towns’ main parks awarded Green Flag status too. With many within walking distance of the town or village centres, they are the perfect location for a day out with the family.
The Broadway activity park / playground is located halfway up the beautiful High Street opposite the Horse and Hound pub and next to the Ashmolean Museum. Whilst it may not be instantly visible, you’ll soon realise why it’s referred to as a hidden gem.
This 3-acre park is perfect for all – the park is split into four sections, split by ages with lots of grass in between. The activities include a seesaw, climbing poles and a skate park simulator. There is also an all-weather area for football, basketball and netball as well as a traditional grassed area, perfect for football or rounders.
The park boasts plenty of picnic areas with seating and shelter, so can be perfect for the warmer days when the children want to play…particularly with the stunning countryside views, too!
This is a beautiful place for a picnic with its huge sweeping trees and wooden sculptures. There’s lots of shade and picnic benches. Tennis, basketball, and 5-a-side courts as well as children’s play areas mean you can work off that extra slice of cake. If you’d rather someone else did the catering, the park café, Little Al’s Kitchen, makes this a favourite spot for families. At 2.30pm every Sunday until 4 September you can be serenaded by brass bands as ‘Bands in the Park’ is back.
Of course, the best thing to do in Lido park is go for a dip in Droitwich Spa Lido – one of the UK’s few remaining open-air saltwater swimming pools. While the kids are keeping themselves entertained by the water cannons and fountains in the wet play area, you can kick back and relax with a spot of sunbathing! The lido is must for people visiting Droitwich Spa in the summer as it’ll make for a memorable day out that won’t break the bank.
Book your place in the pool.
Fact: Droitwich Spa Lido was named ‘the best lido in the Midlands’ by Birmingham Live. Read their article.
With both the canal and the River Salwarpe within its perimeter, Vines Park provides a perfect spot to relax in with lots to keep everyone happy. As well as play areas, there is the chance to learn something about the town’s salt industry history thanks to the brine pit replica complete with interpretation panels. Kingfishers and swans are amongst some of the wildlife to look out for during your visit and you can do this aboard the Pamela May if you book a boat trip.
Despite covering 16 hectares, Droitwich Community Woods is one of the town’s hidden gems located just a four-minute drive from the centre. A nature trail leads you through the woodland where you can see dragonflies and purple hairstreak butterflies flying in the canopy of the trees – it’s a great place to go bug-spotting with the kids. Part of the trail follows the canal and there’s even rare inland saltmarsh which was created by the salt-bearing rocks that sit underneath the reserve over 200 million years ago.
FACT: The rock beneath this woodland was instrumental in the salt extraction that occurred during the Roman period, and if you know Droitwich Spa’s history, you’ll know salt played a huge role in putting the town on the world map.
Abbey Park is the perfect family venue, located in the centre of the town. Nestled alongside the River Avon, excellent views of the waterway are possible from higher levels, particularly near the famous Bell Tower that overlooks the park and is part of the beautiful creating lighting trail together with he War Memorial and Almonry.
Down nearer the water’s edge, there are plenty of play activities including a splash area, sand play, traditional play equipment, a skate park and a multi-use area – ideal for basketball and football.
Once children (or adults) have built up an appetite following all their exerting activity, take advance of the on-site refreshment kiosk for drinks, snacks and the summer favourite…ice cream!
Alongside plenty of open grassy areas, the famous Bell Tower overlooks the park which also includes artwork, lily pool, splash area, children’s playground and a refreshment kiosk.
For those looking for a calmer experience, try the historic features including the Simon de Montfort memorial; a variety of artwork such as the Penny Whistle wood carving; the lily pool or walking trails.
The adjacent River Avon is a hive of activity, whether it be fishing, rowing or the dragon pedelos for hire – a great activity for the children. It’s suggested to check on their availability to avoid disappointment. You’ll be guaranteed a great view looking back to the park from the river, so make the most of it during the summer months.
Abbey Park is a stunning setting, running parallel to the High Street. The park has lovely mature trees and plenty of open grass area for kickabouts and picnics. The children’s play area caters for a variety of ages and sits next to the ever popular children’s water play area – a must during those hot days! Scooters and skateboard fans can also benefit from the skate park in close proximity to the other play equipment.
Nature lovers can explore the wetland habitat in one section of the park, thought to be where the monks may have had fish ponds in earlier times. A boardwalk with attractive carvings allows visitors to view this habitat without getting their feet wet.
Each corner of the park has something different, with a community orchard proudly demonstrating the town’s rich horticultural heritage. A Victorian style bandstand where bands play in the summer months on Sunday afternoon and picnic benches providing an ideal location to while away the time enjoying the beautiful surroundings enhanced by views of the abbey and majestic mature trees.
No visit to Pershore’s Abbey Park would be complete without a visit to the imposing Abbey itself. Evidence of the Abbey’s thousand year history survives with remodelling having produced a mixture of Norman, Early English, Decorated Gothic and Victorian architecture. Adults and children can both partake in a trail around the magnificent building, or for a stunning view from above, look to arrange a tower tour in advance.
In addition to the parks detailed above, there are plenty of other areas to explore so take a look at our Parks & Open Spaces page on our website to find information on parking, facilities and directions.
Just a thought…
If you were planning on bringing a picnic, consider using the town’s businesses. With plenty of cafes, restaurants, takeaways and local produce providers all within short walking distance, leave the hassle behind and enjoy a stress-free day with the family.
