Every Monday, firstpoint publishes five points about a topic related to life at university. This week, we explore student friendly ways to get around Worcester and further afield…
POINT ONE: TRAVELLING ON FOOT…
Worcester is a beautiful Cathedral and University City with a fascinating history, located in the heart of the West Midlands on the banks of the River Severn. Despite being a city, Worcester is still easily explored by foot, from beautiful riverside pedestrian walkways to a compact city centre full of popular high street and independent shops and cafes.
It boasts a wealth of interesting architecture, top class sports teams and venues, combined with an unrivalled combination of independent boutiques and high street names, and a vibrant programme of events. (taken from Visit Worcester)
You can download a map of the city centre and find more information on the Visit Worcester website – with the good weather now approaching, it’s the perfect time to put on your comfy shows and get out and explore for free!
POINT TWO: TRAVELLING BY BUS…
Bus travel around Worcester is primarily via First Bus – and offers lots of quick and easy routes to help you explore the city, or travel to local placements or work visit the First Bus website for more details and to find out about student ticket bundle offers. You can plan your journey and find information on travelling further afield, using the First Bus journey planner
There are regular services from the city centre to St Johns to help you travel between campus sites. Hop on the number 31 or 31A at the Crowngate bus station and arrive at the St. Johns campus in around 7 minutes.
Download the First Bus Ticket App to buy your tickets and check for any discounts that may be available. You can even gift tickets to others or ask family and friends to gift to you!
POINT THREE: TRAVELLING BY BIKE…
There are cycle paths throughout the city and along the river, making it easier to commute to the University or enjoy a leisurely ride. You might not own a bike or haven’t been able to bring your bike to university, but Worcester hosts the popular Beryl Bike Scheme, which offers push bikes and e-bikes for hire from multiple locations right across the city. You can find out how it works and download the app here to get started, registering with your student email address gives you access to a discount of minute bundles too – just remember to park your bike safely and responsibly in the appropriate bays at the end of use.
If you have your own bike, remember to read up on secure bike storage on the University campuses and be sure to follow the advice regarding keeping your bike safe, along with safe storage and charging of e-bikes, on our Bike Storage and Loan page here.
Please remember, it is unlawful to ride e-scooters on public roads and footpaths. The University does not permit the use or storage of e-scooters on any of its sites, including all accommodation.
POINT FOUR: TRAVELLING BY CAR…
Worcester is a great central location in the West Midlands and is well connected by road, with the M5 running across the county providing great links to the North and the South of England, and into Wales.
If you are planning to park on campus regularly throughout the academic year, you can apply for a parking permit, which will save you money over the semester. These can be purchased online, via the Car Parking app on your MyWorc page, and then collected from firstpoint. Apply and find out more information on the parking permit webpage.
Alternatively, you may find it more cost effective to pay and display if you are not due on campus regularly; further information and costs can be found parking information webpage.
POINT FIVE: TRAVELLING BY TRAIN…
Worcester is a central point for travel in so many directions via train. We also have three train stations, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, and Worcestershire Parkway, which make train travel very convenient: 15 minutes travel takes you to Malvern where you can walk the iconic hills; 45 minutes in the opposite direction and you can hit the shops in Birmingham. Feeling super adventurous? Catch the train to the seaside – Cardiff and Barry Island are just two hours away; you can explore the city or venture onwards to the famous beach and funfair!
Travel fares can be expensive, but as a student you can apply for a 16-25 digital railcard, and get discounts on standard anytime tickets as well as off peak tickets. Don’t be put off by the name ‘16-25’- this railcard is also available to people over the age of 26 who are in full time education.
Visit the railcard webpage to apply online and see the full range of benefits available or if you’re a mature student pop into firstpoint with the railcard application and a passport sized photograph, and we can validate your student status.
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