Play Streets (also called ‘playing out’ sessions) are neighbour-led events which include short road closures, creating a safe space for children to play freely together on their doorstep. 

Play Streets typically allow children to play freely, without organised games or activities. In practice, this means children cycle, scoot, skate, play with chalk, skip, play hopscotch, kick a ball around and create games of their own. The sessions are fun and encourage children to be active.

The key features of this model of play sessions are:

• Resident-led and organised.
• Free, child-led play.
• All neighbours consulted and included.
• Roads are legally and safely closed to through traffic during sessions.
• Supervised by residents.
• Vehicle access maintained for residents at walking pace. 

To organise a Play Streets session it is recommended that a group of neighbours join together in applying. Once you have a date in mind, complete the events form on the council website.

Play Worcester are taking an active lead in promoting this opportunity within the city. For further information about the scheme visit the Play Worcester website

Our city centre, parks and public spaces are the perfect venue for a range of public and private events. Events could include:-

• Community Fun days
• Personal Fitness & sporting activities
• Birthday parties & large picnics
• Building or Bandstand hire
• Music Festivals
• Film and other media
• Helicopter and Balloon flights

Events can take a lot of planning and we strongly recommend that you allow yourself plenty of time from your initial enquiry to the event date.

For large events and sporting activities, you will need to provide more information including evidence of insurance, risk assessments, an event management plan and a site map.

To enquire about venue availability please fill in the Event Request Form with as much detail as possible.

What to expect

After completing the Event Enquiry Form:

1. You will instantly receive an automated acknowledgment confirming your enquiry has been submitted.
2. Within five working days you will receive notification whether the date and location is available and whether there is a hire fee.
3. Depending on the nature of your enquiry:

   • If no further information is required and you agree to the hire fee (if any) you will receive confirmation that the event can go ahead

   • If we require further information, you will receive a request identifying what documentation is needed and this may include completing a more detailed application form.  Once we receive this information, we will then process your application and send a confirmation letter.  We aim to do this within fifteen working days

   • For commercial filming you will be asked to supply a risk assessment and evidence of your public liability insurance

If you have not heard from us within five working days, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Please click the link below to register your event.

Hire fees

The hire fee for holding an event is dependent on the type, scale and duration of the activity and its impact on other park users.  

Some facilities / activities have standard charges, see the table below. 

Facility / Activity	Venue	Hire Charge	Standard Rate (subject to agreement)
Sons of Rest Building Hire	Gheluvelt Park	£30 per hour inc VAT*.  Or day rate of £145 inc VAT
Sons of Rest Building Hire	Cripplegate Park	£20 per hour inc VAT*. Or day rate of £80 inc VAT
Bandstand	Gheluvelt Park	£10 per hour plus VAT
Helicopter Landings	Various	£300 per landing
Filming; Regional TV	Various		£45 plus VAT
Filming; Network	Various		£90 plus VAT

* Please note that there is an additional charge for bookings outside of core staff hours of £25.50 per booking to cover staff call out costs.

** Please note there is 50% reduction for charitable organisations who benefit the City

All other activities where fees apply are subject to negotiation on receipt of your application form.

 

 

Worcester Riverside Park is over 80 hectares and is a free to access Public Park. The park is located along the banks of the River Severn, in and around the outskirts of Worcester City centre and includes Diglis Island, an island within the River Severn downstream of the city centre.

The River Severn flows in a southerly direction through the city. The Severn Way and Route 46 of the National Cycle Network transverse the park. The park forms an important green corridor connecting a wider chain of parks, walks and green spaces within the city. In addition to the recreational value of this connection, the park has a biodiversity value as a major wildlife corridor for both the city and county connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities or structures and allowing an exchange of individuals between populations. Species diversity is high with two hundred and twenty-five plant species and thirty-three bird species recorded in 2014.

The park also contains the City’s swan sanctuary which can have up to 200 swans living in the sanctuary at any time. Swan food is available for purchase at various points throughout the park and at the Cathedral.

Worcester Riverside Park areas include:

• Henwick Parade
• Le Visinet Parade
• St Andrews Gardens
• Bromwich Parade
• Pitchcroft Racecourse

pdf View detailed map or Worcester Riverside Park (1.32 MB)

Site Map of Riverside Park

pdf Download a PDF map of Worcester Riverside Park (1.32 MB)

Quayhead Fountain

Operating from the Whitesun bank holiday at the end of May until 1 September

Operating times: 09:00 - 19:00, seven days a week

Gheluvelt Park is a memorial park built in honour of those lost in the First World War. It straddles Barbourne Brook and has two distinct areas - a formal park to the east, and an informal area managed for wildlife conservation to the west, next to the River Severn.

Park access

Pedestrian entrances on Barbourne Road, Lavender Road, Tower Road, Waterworks Road and Barbourne Lane. National Cycle Route 46 passes through the park from Waterworks Road to Tower Road. Disabled parking at the Pump House Environment Centre on Waterworks Road. Bus stop on Barbourne Road, ask for Gheluvelt Park.

Dogs: Well behaved dogs welcome. Dogs must be on a lead in the formal park east of Barbourne Brook, and are not allowed on the Splashpad. Please clean up after your dog using the bins provided.

Opening times

• Formal Park: Open dawn till dusk
  (from Barbourne Road to foot bridge crossing Barbourne Brook by tennis courts)
• Riverside Conservation Park: Open 24 hrs 
  (from bridge crossing Barbourne Brook by tennis courts to the Pump House Environment Centre)

Accessibility

The majority of paths are surfaced and wheelchair accessible. There are two disabled parking spaces in the Waterworks Road Car Park WR1 3EZ and disabled parking on Barbourne Lane. For more information see AccessAble.

Parking

There are 37 free car parking spaces at Waterworks Road Car Park WR1 3EZ

Cycle racks

Cycle racks are available in the park, please see the site map below to locate them.

Site map of Gheluvelt Park

The park is located in Worcester, along the A449 (Barbourne Road) and stretches across to the River Severn.

pdf Download a PDF of this map (4.95 MB)

Park facilities

Gheluvelt Splashpad

This popular water play feature for toddlers to early teens. It can be found in the formal park area.

Splashpad opening times

Period	Opening Times
23 May to 18 July	11:00 - 16:00
19 July to 1 Sept	11:00 - 18:00
2 Sept - May	CLOSED

During the above dates it will be open daily Monday to Sunday

Please note that these times are subject to change depending on circumstances.

Parking is very limited at this end of the park. Please be considerate to local residents by using the free car park on Waterworks Road

Play area

The playground has separate areas for younger and older children, so that little ones can play safely and older children can be more adventurous without the danger of hurting their younger companions. Seating is available for parents. The multi-age facility uses the very latest play technology and floor surfaces, giving a truly 21st-century play experience.

Toilets

Toilets (including a disabled toilet) and baby changing facilities are located at the Sons of Rest pavilion near the Splashpad. See our public toilets opening times.

Tennis courts

Two new state-of-the-art tennis courts are available to book and coaching lessons for children and adults are also available. Book your session.

Bandstand

Throughout the summer bands regularly perform on the bandstand. Please note, that the Bandstand is not available for hire.

Outdoor gym equipment

Outdoor gym equipment is arranged in a circuit around the perimeter to the west of the park.

• Leg Press
• Space Walker
• Sit Up benches
• Surfer
• Pull Down Exerciser
• Chest Press
• Triple Pull Up

Outdoor table tennis

There are two outdoor table tennis tables available in the park and are available when the park is open. The tables are free to use, however you will need to bring your own bats and balls.

Gheluvelt Sons of Rest Building

The Sons of Rest building is located near the Splashpad and is available for hire, if you would like to hire the building please complete the parks event enquiry form or telephone our customer service centre on 01905 722233. Rooms must be cleaned after use, full Terms & Conditions will be sent upon application.

The Sons of Rest Building is also the home of Little Al's Kitchen cafe. For more details and opening times see their website.

Description	Price (£)
Events including parties (charge per hour)**	30.00
Events day rate**	145.00

**50% reduction for charitable organisations who benefit the City.
There is an additional charge for bookings outside of core staff hours of £25.50 per booking to cover staff call out costs. 

The Pump House

The Pump House, on the Waterworks Road side of Gheluvelt Park in the Barbourne area of Worcester, dates back to 1857 and was once a waterworks building next to the River Severn.

The Duckworth Worcestershire Trust ran the building as an environmental centre until 2023. It is now home to Kyndfolk, who have restored the historic building, into a café and neighbourhood hub.

The venue’s community room is free to book, during trading hours, for activities ranging from yoga classes to parent-and-toddler meetups. Kyndfolk’s community garden is a place where neighbours can pitch in and grow fresh produce.

You can find out more about Kyndfolk and their opening times on their website.

Further information

Habitats

Formal and informal planting, Barbourne Brook, Pond, Mature trees, Native tree planting, Hedges, Wildflower grassland, Amenity grassland.

Notable Wildlife

• Mute Swan
• Mallard
• Kingfisher
• Grey Squirrels
• Bats

The Friends of Gheluvelt Park

The Friends of Gheluvelt Park were formed in 2003 to work with Worcester City Council, the Duckworth Trust, local residents' associations and others to develop and increase the use of Gheluvelt Park and the Pump House Environmental Centre. 

Membership is open to anyone. We would be delighted if you decide to get involved in our activities, but there is no commitment. Merely by being a registered member you help the committee raise funds for park activities. For more information, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..