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One of the finest cycle routes in Cambridge, or indeed any British city. The path runs from Coton village, over the motorway and past the West Cambridge site (home of the university science and maths departments), to the quiet Adams Road. From here, leafy traffic-free Burrell’s Walk and Garrett Hostel Lane take you to Trinity Lane, and the city centre by the Market Place. It’s as good a leisure ride as it is a utility route.
This is a triumph of piecing together back streets to provide an alternative to busy roads. In particular, it offers a much more pleasant alternative to Mill Road.
The traffic-free Tins and Snakey Path take you to Brookes Road; don't cross onto Mill Road, but dogleg left then right to follow the cycle route towards Greville Road. Another dogleg takes you across the (heated!) cycle bridge crossing the railway. From here (and the station), don’t follow Hills Road into town, but rather the signposted back-street route via Devonshire Road and Gresham Road which brings you out opposite Parkers Piece.
Pershore is just 10 miles from Worcester – and it has an hourly train service back, so you only have to go one way.
The route is signposted as National Cycle Network route 442, so wayfinding is easy. Start on the riverside by the cathedral, and follow the signs onto quiet roads before you reach Diglis. The route leaves Worcester on the Norton Pedway, before switching to country lanes for the rest of the journey to Pershore. There are a few climbs but nothing too strenuous.
Pershore is a charming market town, all the better for its 20mph limit and new bypass. The station is around a mile to the north (well signposted), so leave enough time to get there. Alternatively, you can follow NCN 442 for another nine miles to Evesham, again with a station to take you back home.
This 18-mile circular route is perfect for a Saturday afternoon outing: never too taxing, but long enough that you’ll feel you’ve gone for a proper ride. It follows the National Cycle Network all the way, so it’s pretty much impossible to get lost.
From Worcester, head towards Diglis and then take the canal towpath north all the way out of the city. You’ll pass under the A449 ring road, then, just before the motorway, swing off onto minor roads. An enjoyable descent on a bridleway takes you to the edge of Droitwich.
There are good pubs, cafés and little local shops in the town centre. Follow the cycle route signs until you reach the Droitwich Canal, then turn left onto NCN 46 for Worcester. This follows the canal for the first part, but once it’s clear of the town centre, chooses country lanes instead for its journey via Ladywood and Fernhill Heath. You’ll see the newly restored canal several times along the way: look out for the luxuriant reedbeds that are a characteristic feature.
Crossing the bypass on a high bridge, the route follows residential roads and the racecourse path back to the city centre.
It’s much easier to get across the south of the city, thanks largely to the Pedway network. The Orbital Pedway is signposted clearly from the Royal Hospital and the Worcester Woods country park; it’s almost entirely traffic free for the three miles to Diglis Bridge.
The latest improvement is a cycle path through the grounds of St Mark’s Church, a generous decision by the church authorities which avoids the need to follow the Bath Road. Watch out in wet weather for the path from Waverley Street to Diglis Bridge, which can get a little waterlogged.
Diglis Bridge is of course a superb crossing, and delivers you directly to Lower Wick.
Made in the Cotswolds. Published by Éditions Système D Ltd.
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