Discover Worcester's green spaces
When I was looking at universities, I imagined having to move to a city with busy roads, concrete buildings and not much room to escape.
Worcester couldn't have been more different.
One of the things I love most about living and studying here is just how much green space surrounds us. Whether you're based at St John's, City or Severn Campus, you're never more than a few minutes away from somewhere to stretch your legs and enjoy some fresh air.
From riverside walks and peaceful woodland trails, to huge open spaces perfect for sports, picnics or simply lying in the sunshine (British weather permitting, of course!), Worcester makes it incredibly easy to enjoy the outdoors. Even better, many of these places are connected by walking and cycling routes, so you don't need a car or public transport to explore them.
Whether you've got ten minutes between lectures or an entire weekend free, there's a green space to suit every need.
Every green space has its own personality. Some have wide, level paths that are perfect for a gentle stroll, while others lead you through woodland trails or up hills with incredible views.
These are just a few of my favourite places. I've tried to include a few little details about the paths and terrain along the way, so hopefully it'll help you find somewhere that's just right for your next adventure.
On your doorstep
Some of the city's best green spaces are only a short walk from campus; making them perfect for a study break, catching up with friends, or simply escaping your laptop for an hour.
Green spaces around campus
One thing I don't think people fully appreciate until they arrive is just how green the University campuses are. As soon as the sun appears, you'll spot students revising on the grass, throwing a Frisbee, kicking a ball around or simply making the most of a lunch break outdoors. Sometimes the best thing you can do is swap four walls for four trees.
The campuses also offer plenty of open space, accessible routes and places to sit, making it easy to enjoy some fresh air between lectures.
Ideal for: Study breaks, lunch outdoors, sports activities and meeting friends.
My Top Tip: Keep a football, Frisbee, picnic blanket or even a pack of cards in your accommodation. You'll use them far more than you think!
The River Severn
The River Severn has quickly become one of my favourite places in Worcester. Whether you're walking, running, cycling or simply wandering with a coffee in hand, there's always something different to see. From rowing crews gliding past and colourful narrowboats to wildlife along the riverbank, every walk feels a little different depending on the day and the season.
The riverside paths are mostly wide, surfaced and relatively level, making them a lovely choice whether you're after a gentle stroll, a run, a cycle or simply somewhere peaceful to sit and watch the world go by. There are also plenty of benches along the way if you fancy taking a break and soaking up the view.
Ideal for: Walking, running, cycling, catching up with friends and clearing your head.
My Top Tip: Grab your favourite drink before you head out. Whether it's a homemade smoothie, an iced coffee or a hot chocolate on a chilly day, everything somehow tastes better by the river.
Kepax Bridge, Gheluvelt Park & Pitchcroft (aka The Racecourse)
From St Johns's Campus you can use Kepax Bridge to cross the river and immediatly find yourself in Gheluvelt Park, while Pitchcroft sits a little further into the city. Both are brilliant places to meet friends, enjoy a picnic, read a book or simply spend an afternoon outdoors.
Gheluvelt Park has tennis courts, outdoor gym equipment, table tennis tables and a café, while Pitchcroft is one of my favourite places for a run or a walk. One minute you'll see people exercising, the next you'll find families enjoying picnics, friends playing games or people simply soaking up the sunshine.
Both have wide, mostly level paths and plenty of open space, making them great places to explore at your own pace.
Ideal for: Picnics, sports activities, reading, sunny afternoons and taking the dog for a walk if family come to visit.
My Top Tip: Some of my favourite afternoons have involved a picnic, badminton rackets and absolutely no plans whatsoever.
'Wild about Worcester' walking route
Worcester is home to the Wild About Worcester Way, a circular walking route linking many of the city's parks, rivers, woodlands and nature reserves. You don't have to tackle it all at once, so why not explore a different section throughout your time at university? It's a brilliant excuse to discover somewhere new.
Nature isn't just beautiful to look at, it can be good for us too. Spending time outdoors has been linked to reduced stress, improved mood and better overall wellbeing. Sometimes the best way to recharge isn't another coffee... It's a walk, a breath of fresh air and a change of scenery. Best of all, it's completely free.
A little further afield
Fancy stretching your legs a little further? Worcester has plenty more green spaces waiting to be discovered, all within easy reach by foot, bike, bus or car.
Worcester Woods Country Park
If your brain feels like it's buffering after a week of lectures, Worcester Woods is the perfect escape. With woodland trails, open green spaces, wildlife and a lovely café, it's somewhere you'll find yourself returning to throughout the year. Spring flowers, summer picnics, colourful autumn leaves and peaceful winter walks all bring something different, proving there's beauty in every season.
There's a mixture of surfaced paths and natural woodland trails. Some of the woodland paths can become muddy or uneven after wet weather, so it's worth dressing for the conditions.
Ideal for: Walking, running, wildlife spotting, picnics and family visits.
My Top Tip: Pack a travel mug! A hot chocolate on a frosty morning or a homemade iced coffee in the sunshine somehow makes every walk even better.
Malvern and nearby gardens and nature reserves
One of the best things about studying in Worcester is that adventure doesn't stop at the city boundaries.
The Malvern Hills are only a short journey away and are perfect whether you're looking for a gentle stroll or a full day's hike, with views that make every step worthwhile. There are routes to suit different abilities, from easier walks to more challenging climbs, so it's worth having a look beforehand and choosing one that's right for you.
If you're looking to explore even more of Worcestershire, places such as Croome, Spetchley Park Gardens, the Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve all make fantastic days out with friends or visiting family.
Even the area around the University's Lakeside Campus and nearby Hallow offers beautiful countryside walks, open fields and peaceful footpaths that make you forget you're only a few miles from the city.
Ideal for: Weekend adventures, walking, photography, family visits and picnics.
My Top Tip: Don't wait for a special occasion. Some of the best weekends start with someone simply saying, "Fancy an adventure?"
Worcester & Birmingham canal & Perdiswell Park
Sometimes the best adventures don't need a destination. Follow the canal towpath and simply see where it takes you. If you keep going, you'll eventually reach Perdiswell Park, where you'll find open fields, woodland walks, football goals and plenty of space for games, relaxing or enjoying a picnic. The journey really is just as enjoyable as the destination.
The canal paths are generally flat and easy to follow, but it's worth knowing that some sections around the locks have steeper slopes, raised brick edges and narrower areas. Depending on your route, these can make things a little trickier to navigate for wheelchair users, pushchairs or anyone looking for a smoother path, so it's worth planning ahead if that's something you need to consider.
Ideal for: Walking, cycling, fishing, picnics and catching up with friends.
My Top Tip: Pack some sandwiches, your favourite drink and see where the day takes you. Just remember, however far you walk you still have to walk back!
Warndon Wood nature reserve
If you fancy escaping the city without travelling very far, Warndon Wood is well worth exploring. Woodland trails, wildflower meadows and plenty of wildlife make it feel like you've ventured much further than you actually have. The natural woodland paths are all part of its charm, but they can be uneven in places, especially after wet weather, so comfortable footwear is definitely a good idea.
Ideal for: Walking, wildlife spotting, photography and a peaceful afternoon.
My Top Tip: Visit more than once. Nature changes so much throughout the seasons that it almost feels like a completely different place every time.
Go Touch Some Grass...
...and I mean that in the nicest possible way!
University life gets busy. There are lectures, assignments, placements, societies and somehow you're also expected to remember to eat something other than pasta every night.
That's why I think Worcester is such a special place to study. Having this much nature woven into a city isn't something every university can offer, and I don't think you truly appreciate just how lucky we are until you're living here.
Whether it's an autumn walk through Worcester Woods, a summer picnic by the River Severn, a crisp winter morning with a flask of hot chocolate or spotting the first signs of spring along the canal, every season brings something new to discover. Take a look at the University's social media, and you'll often spot stunning photos of Worcester throughout the seasons, many shared by students who love exploring the city they now call home.
This blog only scratches the surface. We're incredibly lucky to have beautiful countryside and places to explore in every direction. From the Malvern Hills and Worcestershire countryside to nearby Hereford, Cheltenham and the many picturesque villages in between, there are endless opportunities for new adventures.
So next time you've got a free afternoon, close the laptop, put your phone in your pocket and head outside. Who knows? Your favourite university memory might not happen in a lecture theatre after all, it might start with a walk, a picnic and a little patch of grass.