PARKS & NATURE
Worcestershire’s Vale and Spa boasts some of the best parks in the area with numerous Green Flag award-winning parks to chose from. Select an area below for details on each significant park and open space in the district.
Droitwich Spa Lido Park
The park was awarded Green Flag status for the first time in 2011/12 and each and every year since.
Droitwich Spa is well known for its brine streams that are found 200ft below ground level. Salt collecting dates back to Roman times and in 1817 the Corbett family made the area famous for its salt and brine Baths. John Corbett occupied the land close to the town and opened the Lido Park for the well being of the town’s population.
Facilities
- Water Play Fountains
- floral bedding displays
- mature trees and shrubs
- fishing at Heriott’s pool and platforms for disabled fishing
- feed the ducks at Bishops pool
- bandstand
- hard court tennis (free)
- 5 a side court with basket ball nets
- children’s play areas, enclosed and natural open area
- tree carving, located by the cafe
- wall mural
Useful Information
Parking – Car park entrance from Worcester Road, Pay and Display.
Toilets – In the park near the Lido cafe. For more information see our Public Toilets page.
Recycling Bins – Recycling bins are at the main points in the park. Please do your bit to help the planet whilst you are in the park by putting your glass bottles, cans and paper in the clearly marked recycling bins.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Life Buoys – Located around Heriotts Pool and Bishop’s Pool inside red cases. For more information see our Lifebuoys page.
Lido Pool and Cafe – Lido Outdoor Swimming pool (located near the Worcester Road entrance). This pool complex is run by Wychavon Leisure Limited and can be contacted on 01905 799342 or these links for the timetable and prices.
Size & Location
Approximately 2 hectares
The Lido Park is near the old part of the town with the main entrance and car park off the Worcester Road approximately 100m from the end of the High Street.
WR9 8AA
Vines Park
The park was awarded Green Flag status for the first time in 2013/14, then again for each year since then.
This park covers an area of old brine workings. St Richard the patron saint of Droitwich is remembered here with a statue in his honour. The park is just the other side of the Saltway road from the town’s shopping centre and provides a pleasant green corridor along the canal and River Salwarpe.
A New Play Area opened in March 2011 designed to a natural play theme with wooden equipment. The Canal was opened on Friday 1st July 2011 by Caroline Spelman (Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) after many years of restoration work. Come and enjoy the sight of narrow boats as they negotiate the canal and locks in the park.
Facilities
- Play areas
- Picnic areas
- Canal open
- British Waterways moorings
- St Richard’s statue
- Interpretive Brine Pit area
- Salt history mosaic
- Mature trees
- Fishing at designated places on Salwarpe river and canal
- Wych barge seating area
Useful Information
Parking – At car park on opposite side of the Saltway at Waitrose. Pay and display.
Toilets – Closest at Waitrose. For more information see Wychavon District Council’s Public Toilets page.
Fishing – Please contact Droitwich Angling Centre for details on which areas of Park are available for fishing (charges do apply) phone 01905 779300
Cycle Way – All along recently widened path from Vines Lane end of the Park to the Crossways Bridge opposite Waitrose
Recycling Bins – There are recycling bins at main points in the park. Please do your bit to help the planet whilst you are in the park by putting your glass bottles, cans and paper in the clearly marked recycling bins.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Life Buoys – Located along the canal inside red cases. For more information see the Lifebuoys page.
Size & Location
St. Peters Fields
This open space was awarded Green Flag status (in combination with Lido Park) for the first time in 2011/12, and each and every year since.
Dr Shirley Jones, who was once the town’s General Practitioner, had a vision to protect the town’s remaining areas of open land so they could be used by the people of the town for recreation and also benefit wildlife. The land, formerly used for agriculture, was known as St Peters Fields and was transferred to the town in 1951 for ten shillings. These Fields are linked to Lido park, you can walk straight from one to the other and are managed to be natural in appearance with undulating slopes, longer grass areas and plantations of trees with the stream running into Bishops pool.
Facilities
- Natural landscaped area, mown grass walks.
- Arboretum conifers and deciduous trees.
- Boardwalk through Willow Carr.
- Views from the slopes.
- Cricket club and pitch (private)
Useful Information
Parking – Car park at the top end of the fields off St Peters Church Lane
Toilets – At Lido park. For more information see the Public Toilets page.
Size & Location
Abbey Park, Evesham
This open space was awarded Green Flag status for the first time in 2005 and every year since. It was the first park/open space in the district to be awarded a Green Flag.
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. 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.
Facilities
- Mature trees
- Open grass areas
- Shrub planting
- Ornamental herbaceous borders
- Children’s play area
- Water play fountains
- Skate park
- Lily pool
- Picnic benches and plentiful seating
- Variety of artwork (including Penny Whistle wood carving)
- Bandstand
- Historic features
- Simon de Montfort memorial
- Bell tower and clarion
- Boat trips on the river
- Lighted avenue of lime trees along the river
Useful Information
Parking – At the adjacent multi storey car park, access from Monks Walk or on the Crown Meadows on the other side of the Rowing Club access from Abbey Road.
Toilets – In the park – open all year. Access for the disabled is possible at all entrances but best to avoid the ones at the top of the park if steep slopes are difficult to manage. For more information see the Public Toilets page
Recycling Bins – There are recycling bins at main points in the park. Please do your bit to help the planet whilst you are in the park by putting your glass bottles, cans and paper in the clearly marked recycling bins.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Lifebuoys – Located along the river inside red cases. For more information see the Lifebuoys page
Size & Location
Crown Meadow
This extensive area of flood meadow is used for recreational purposes most of the year. Parking in the summer and football in the winter. It hosts a variety of events through the year from fairs to the huge fishing festival in August. It runs from Abbey Park Evesham and the rowing club to the east along to the Bridge at the A44. Lime trees shade the riverside walk along the Avon with footpaths under the bridge leading to viaduct meadow (car park and toilets) and then onto Corporation meadow.
Facilities
- Children’s play area
- Picnic benches
- Riverside walk under lime avenue
- Extensive areas of grass for informal games
- Football in the winter
Useful Information
Parking – On the meadow itself in the summer and on the reinforced section of the meadow at the far end by the Rowing Club in winter (severe flooding excepted). Open 7am – 10pm.
Toilets – Under the bridge to the nearby award winning toilets at Viaduct meadow. For more information see the Public Toilets page.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Lifebuoys – Located along the river inside red cases. For more information see the Lifebuoys page.
Size & Location
Corporation Meadow
This meadow is sited on the plain below Evesham’s new Leisure Centre opened in 2009. Quieter than Crown Meadow this site is popular with dog walkers and for fishing. Lime trees shade the riverside walk along the Avon. This route now links to a further walk along to the old chain Ferry and the Riverside café, and from there it’s a short walk back to the town centre.
Facilities
- Picnic site
- Riverside seating and walk.
Useful Information
Parking – At the adjacent Viaduct Meadow – open all year (flooding excepted).
Toilets – At the adjacent Viaduct Meadow. For more information see the Public Toilets page.
Fish Refuge – At the far end of the meadows is an enlarged ditch, pond area. This was constructed by the Environment Agency in 2009 as a safe refuge for young fish at times of flooding to prevent the fry being swept away down river.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Lifebuoys – Located along the river inside red cases. For more information see the Lifebuoys page.
Size & Location
Charity Brook Park
Charity Brook Park (formerly Davies Road Open Space) is a local neighbourhood facility and is on route between schools in Four Pools and homes on the Charity Brook development. Formerly a plain grass area with football pitches and an old trim trail it was totally redeveloped in 2007 to provide new play facilities, paths, seats and cycletrack. Funding for this work was provided by the Big Lottery and Wychavon District Council.
Facilities
- Picnic tables
- Seats
- Litter bins
- Circular footpath route
- Football pitches
- Children’s Play Facilities
Useful Information
Parking – There is a free car park in the north west corner of the park, access via road to the side of AMCOR just off Davies Road. Open between 7am and 6pm. Maximum height for vehicles 1.9 metres
Toilets – No toilets on site. Nearest are at Morrisons Supermarket approx. 400m along Davies Road to the east.
Play Facilities –
- Toddlers swings, climbing unit with nets and slide, scramble rocks and logs, echo speaking tubes and hopscotch.
- Pendulum swings suitable for all ages with basket seat which is suitable for disabled children who are unable to use a conventional swing seat.
- Large climbing boulders and logs for older children and teenagers.
- Adventure cycletrack on a gravel routeway through the trees with jumps and berms. (Please bring suitable safety wear – helmets and pads).
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Recycling Bins – There are recycling bins at main points in the park. Please do your bit to help the planet whilst you are in the park by putting your glass bottles, cans and paper in the clearly marked recycling bins.
Size & Location
Jubilee Gardens
These are local facilities and best reached on foot or by cycle.
Facilities
- Picnic tables
- Seats
- Litter bins
- Circular footpath route
- Open grass for informal ball games
- Play facilities
Useful Information
Parking – Car park on site is administered by Bengeworth Sports & Social Club and is not open to the general public.
Toilets – None on site
Play Facilities –
- Swings
- Embankement Slide
- Tube Climber and Spinner
- Mizzenmast nets
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided. Please collect up after your dog.
Size & Location
Waterside Gardens, Evesham
These tranquil gardens sited on the opposite bank of the river Avon to Crown Meadow are a haven for those who love quiet seating with good views. The pieces of artwork blend into the setting and at the same time provide points of interest as visitors walk round the terraces. Come summer time the annual cornfield meadow shows off its colourful display of native and ornamental plants.
Facilities
- Riverside terraced walks
- Good views along the river
- Seating with themed carvings and incidental pieces of artwork
- Colourful summer meadow
Useful Information
Parking – On the adjacent roadway (Waterside)
Toilets – Closest are at Viaduct meadow For more information see the Public Toilets page
Life Buoys – Located along the riverside inside red cases. For more information see the Lifebuoys page.
Size & Location
Workman Gardens, Evesham
These gardens have been awarded Green Flag status each and every year since 2007.
On the opposite bank of the river Avon to Abbey Park these linear gardens provide close access to the water along a paved towpath. The park hosts various events in the year including a Churches Together event and the main river festival in July. At the bridge end of the park the avenue of mature lime trees is lit at night with purple and green up-lighters which give a very romantic Mediterranean feel to the river frontage.
Facilities
- Boat mooring
- River trips on a restaurant boat equipped to take wheelchair users
- 3 pétanque courts – for more information see our Pétanque page
- Only anglers who are disabled or under 16 are allowed to fish from Workman Gardens if they have obtained a permit from Wychavon District Council. Bailiffs from the Evesham and District Angling Association monitor the fishing on behalf of Wychavon District Council, to obtain a permit ring 01386 565018 for details
- Table Tennis free to use – bats and balls available from the reception of the adjacent Northwick Hotel and people can hire them for a small returnable deposit.
Useful Information
Parking – Some spaces for disabled drivers only in the gardens themselves. Other parking at specified points on the adjacent Waterside road
Toilets – Open all year at the bridge end of the gardens. For more information see the Public Toilets page
Life Buoys – Located along the river inside red cases For more information see the Lifebuoys page
Recycling Bins – There are recycling bins at main points in the park. Please do your bit to help the planet whilst you are in the park by putting your glass bottles, cans and paper in the clearly marked recycling bins.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided Please collect up after your dog
Size & Location
Abbey Park, Pershore
The park has been awarded Green Flag status for each and every year since 2008.
Originally the Abbey Grounds, the park is very close to the main part of the town and provides a fresh green setting for this historic but still vibrant Abbey. The park has lovely mature trees including a tree carving sculpture and plenty of open grass area. There is a children’s play area, a children’s water play area and also a skate park. There is a 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 wet feet.
Facilities
- Mature trees
- Shrubs
- Open grass areas
- Damp meadow area and boardwalk
- Picnic benches and seating
- Children’s play area
- Water play fountains
- Bowling club [privately run but open to new members]
- Skatepark
- Bandstand
- Memorial gardens
- Community orchard
Useful Information
Parking – At the car park situated in the park. Access from the north end of Abbey Road
Toilets – In the park – off Church walk. For more information see the Public Toilets page
Habitat – The Park benefits from sculptures and a boardwalk over a wet grassland area which was originally the fishpond area from the medieval Abbey.
Recycling Bins – There are recycling bins at main points in the park. Please do your bit to help the planet whilst you are in the park by putting your glass bottles, cans and paper in the clearly marked recycling bins.
Dog Waste – Poop scoop bins provided Please collect up after your dog
Size & Location
Broadway Activity Park / Playground
These gardens have been awarded Green Flag status each and every year since 2007.
The ribbon was cut on Broadway Activity Park and playground on 9th May 2009 following a revamp costing around £300,000 on the recreation ground.
The park offers state–of–the–art facilities for children and adults of all ages, connected by stone pathways and surrounded with trees, shrubs and rocks.
Facilities
- Large climbing wall
- Multi-use games area
- All weather surface for football, basketball and netball
- Grass pitch for football and rounders
- A Space net
- A Zipwire
- A picnic area
- Seating and shelter
Useful Information
Parking – Closest are located at Leamington Road.
Toilets – Closest located at Keytes Lane or Church Close. For more information see the Public Toilets page
Size & Location
Open Spaces
There are many open spaces for local communities throughout the Wychavon area. Some are managed by our Parks Section with the maintenance contractors, others by the town and parish council. The following lists the main sites managed by ourselves.
Broadway
- Gravel Pit (Nature Reserve)
Droitwich Spa
- Addeys Way
- Celvestune Way
- Coleford Walk
- Impney Green Open Space
- Mayflower
- Ombersley Way
- Pulley Lane Woods (Nature Area)
- Rebekah Gardens Open Space
- Riverside area Kidderminster Road (Nature Area)
- Steynors Avenue
- The Ridings – Showell Estate
- Westwood Road
Evesham
- Badsey Lane (Nature Area)
- Common Road
- Coronation Street
- Cotswold Rise
- Hawthorn Road
- Hazel Avenue Brook
- Highfield, Hampton
- St. Richards
- Woodlands Nature Area (either side of the brook)
Pershore
- Allesborough Hill (Nature Area)
- Mill Lane Close
Rural Village Sites
- Broadway – Mills Close (Nature Area)
- Claines – Danes Green Farm Estate
- Crowle – Pear Tree Road
- Cutnall Green – Oak Tree Drive
- Fernhill Heath – Agatha Gardens
- Hadzor Open Space
- Hartlebury – Bowbrook Grange
- Kington – Bourne Close
- Tibberton – Hawthorn Rise
- Wychbold – Centurion Way Woods
If you need to find out who looks after a particular Open Space, then please ring Client Services 01386 565018 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri) or email us on client.services@wychavon.gov.uk and we will try and point you in the right direction.