We are lucky to live just around 20 miles from Stourport-On-Severn and I have visited there many times over the years. As a child we would go as a family, with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. You could get the bus, a Midland Red, from outside the Black Horse Pub. I think it was the number 144! We’d take a picnic and eat by the riverside and play in the park. If we were lucky we’d get to spend some time at the funfair. Lots of things have changed the but the bridge is one that sticks in my mind. We used to run through these tunnels under the bridge which decreased in size as it went along.
On one side of the bridge was the park and river and on the other was the fairground.
When my older kids were little they loved to play in the splash pool which was near the park. We’d go on a warm day and let them splash around before drying out on the park. It’s changed a lot over the years. The splash pool is much smarter, and the playground is three times bigger. There is also a mini golf which I don’t remember. I do remember they had section of remote controlled games where you could put in your coins and take control of boats, tanks or cars. This was my eldest son’s favourite place.
The river is beautiful and you can walk alongside it for miles. We did that once when the girls were small as we were geocaching. I spotted some bushes where we had spent an hour looking for a tupperware box full of surprises.
The River at Stourport-on-Severn
I guess I should share a few photos of the river. It’s a pity it wasn’t a sunnier day. It wasn’t cold, but the sun refused to make an appearance all day. Try and imagine these views on a lovely sunny day.
The bridge over the water has a foot path as well as a road, but we decided against going across this time. If you are on foot there is a funky metal spiral staircase that we used to love climbing down as kids. (I guess it wouldn’t be so much fun in a wheelchair!)
I did take a really cool photo of the bridge over the river, but it consists mostly of my thumb! Sorry.
It’s not normally so Quiet
I have never, in all my times, seen Stourport-on-Severn so quiet! Apparently, most attractions, like the fair and the boat rides, as well as all of the ice cream vans, mini golf and so on are only open on school holidays and weekends during the summer. The splash pool only has water in on warm days but the park is open all the time. I believe the fun fair was due to be open after school hours as they were all lit up but the gates were closed. There are no boat rides out of these times too. There is normally a lot to do at Stourport, but there are also many crowds of people. I have memories of going on a hot day and spending over half an hour just trying to get out of the car park!
We chose a quiet day because we don’t normally like crowds anyway. My kid’s had an extra couple of days off school because of Teacher Training days so as we’d not been able to do much over the Easter Holiday, we wanted to make the most of one last day of freedom. The girls were happy with how quiet it was but the Little Man really wanted to go on the boat and the funfair. We may have to go back again so they can enjoy more of the attractions. A little more sunshine might be nice too.
It did have advantages though, we had the park to ourselves and there is no way my girls would have done this if there had been any other children around.
In fact they enjoyed quite a lot of the park, there were some fun things to go on, even as a teen. Sometimes, we forget that The Little Man is still a child and wants to have fun too. He loved his Dad pushing him on the roundabout.
They investigated the band stand before finding a gazebo by the river to sit down in. We left the girls alone in there as they became animated in conversations with each other. It’s strange because they barely speak to each other at home, except around the dinner table.
My final photo is one of the wharf next to the fairground where we saw some swans. The kids went down for a closer look. You can also see the smaller arches on the bridge.
Have you ever been to Stourport-On-Severn?
If it’s not near you then Counting to Ten has a post with lots of lovely free places to with Children in Essex.
It sounds like Stourport on Severn has some wonderful memories for you and it’s lovely to make new one’s. It sounds like you had a great day out despite the lack of sunshine. x
I am glad you enjoyed a lovely day out. Stourport-on-Severn looks like a nice place.
No, I’ve never been to Sourport-on-Severn. Your photos are beautiful! And I would have thought that a perfect day, with neither bright sun nor crowds! #pocolo
What a lovely place to go. I always find places with water relaxing and if it has a park it is a hit with my kids. They always where ever we are ask to go to the park lol x #pocolo
I’m so glad that you had a lovely day out, you so deserve it. I’ve never been to Stourport-on-Severn but I’d like to go.
The quiet days are the best, aren’t they?! I’m glad we home school in that respect because places are often less busy during the week. x
I’ve not been to Stourport for years, used to the love the splash pools with the kids. Thanks for joining in with #pocolo and hope to see you back soon.