Day trips from Worcester by bus?

[Cambus731]

Looking into staying in Worcester in the late spring with a friend.
As it is a part of the country I'm completely unfamiliar with, I'm all ears to suggestions for a day out by bus. Either an out and back, or maybe a 'triangular' journey brining us back to Worcester.
I guess our interests would be a scenic journey, or maybe to somewhere with one or two pubs that do decent real ales/whiskeys and good food, including vegetarian options.

Or to any nearby town that has any independent record/CD shops and/or interesting independent bus operators I could photograph, or maybe ride on.

 

[Ridercross]

Bewdley is a nice town to visit on the 296 from Worcester. If you plan it right you could also do a triangle trip by also travelling on the 291 between Bewdley and Tenbury Wells and the 758 Tenbury to Worcester.

 

[asb]

Not sure how long you want your day out to be. If the times work I would go for possibly 296 to Bewdley but then 2L (or whatever it is now) to Ludlow, then return via Tenbury Wells, or vice versa, as Bewdley (already mentioned) and Ludlow are very nice small towns, and the trip over Clee Hill is great.

Another option is 417 to Ledbury, then 675 to Great Malvern and 44 back to Worcester or vice versa. Great views going over the Malvern Hills, and Ledbury is nice, especially on Market Day.

See how you get on! Most routes from Worcester are nice. If you just want a quick circular, then the 423 to Alfrick is very pleasant.

 

[Cambus731]

Not sure how long you want your day out to be. If the times work I would go for possibly 296 to Bewdley but then 2L (or whatever it is now) to Ludlow, then return via Tenbury Wells, or vice versa, as Bewdley (already mentioned) and Ludlow are very nice small towns, and the trip over Clee Hill is great.

Another option is 417 to Ledbury, then 675 to Great Malvern and 44 back to Worcester or vice versa. Great views going over the Malvern Hills, and Ledbury is nice, especially on Market Day.

See how you get on! Most routes from Worcester are nice. If you just want a quick circular, then the 423 to Alfrick is very pleasant.

Probably looking for a nice out and back. Or maybe a triangle. Combined with a pub lunch. I am grateful for your suggestions, but we'd probably not wish to spend all day on buses. Ledbury on market day may well be worth considering.

 

[RELL6L]

Some options here although probably the best scenery is further afield.
Yes Bewdley plus Ludlow and/or Tenbury Wells gets great views over the hills but is probably too ambitious and too far. Tenbury Wells is a good place, an out-and-back might be possible if you are prepared to spend 3 hours there.

I agree with Ledbury and Great Malvern, both are nice towns, Malvern perhaps even a little 'quirky', and the 2-hourly 675 between the two is scenic.
Unfortunately it is now almost impossible to get to Bromyard by bus, let alone Hereford.

The other option is Pershore and/or Evesham. The X50 runs hourly to both, taking about 30 minutes to Pershore and an hour to Evesham. Both are attractive towns, Evesham somewhat larger with plenty of facilities.

Agree the 423 to Alfrick is a pleasant circuit. Alternatively the 308 and 310 run to Martley via two different routes, there's a pub there but I don't know if it is any good.

You could do Redditch and Bromsgrove as a triangle, not sure that's the most scenic. Bromsgrove and Kidderminster ditto although you could stop off at Chaddesley Corbett between the two. Evesham and Redditch would need careful planning. Kidderminster and Stourport (or Bewdley) could work.

Not many independent operators and certainly not much interesting on the bus front, services have been massively cut over the years.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

For something quite sedate, you could go for

303 0930 Worcester to Kidderminster 1020
291 1100 Kiddy to Tenbury Wells 1155
Lunch
758 1435 Tenbury Wells to Worcester 1523

Tenbury is a lovely little place for a pub lunch and a wander.

Agree with @RELL6L that Pershore and Evesham are both pleasant towns. Don't think there's much to get excited about in heading to Bromsgrove or Redditch TBH

 

[JonnyG]

Some bus trips to nearby attractions listed at https://visitbytrain.info/worcs/worcester.htm

Spetchley Park Gardens by bus
30 acres of gardens with many rare plants from around the world. Highlights include the Fountain Gardens, peony collection, cedars and the Victorian Conservatory. Tearoom.
Open Apr-Sep, WThFSSu & BH 1030-1700. Oct-Mar, see website.
www.spetchleygardens.co.uk
Bus 150A from Bus Station to opposite entrance, shortly after the bridge over the M5. M-S infrequent, about 15 minutes journey. Operated by Johnson's Coaches.

National Trust Holidays
Witley Court & Gardens EH by bus
The ruins of a Victorian country mansion in large grounds with wild and formal gardens. A highlight is the dramatic Perseus and Andromeda fountain. Visitor Centre. Play area. Woodland and lakeside walks. Great Witley Church (attached to the mansion but not EH) has a gilded Baroque interior. Tearoom (not EH).
Open Apr-Oct, Daily 1000-1700.
www.english-heritage.org.uk
Bus 758 from Bus Station to entrance, about 20 minutes journey, M-S infrequent. Operated by Yarranton's.

The Firs, Birthplace of Edward Elgar NT 3 miles or by bus
The birthplace of the composer Edward Elgar. The Cottage and modern Visitor Centre contain memorabilia telling the story of Elgar's life and his music. Cottage Garden. Admission by timed ticket. Events programme.
Open Mar-Oct, MFSSu 1100-1700.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Bus 308/310 from Bus Station. 308 to opposite 'The Plough' in Upper Broadheath (no marked stop) adjacent to entrance (watch for sign). Also 310 to Lower Broadheath, Bell Inn, then 1 mile walk. Both routes about 14 minutes journey, M-S only, infrequent but suitable for visiting. Operated by Astons Coaches.

 

[Teflon988]

Looking into staying in Worcester in the late spring with a friend.
As it is a part of the country I'm completely unfamiliar with, I'm all ears to suggestions for a day out by bus. Either an out and back, or maybe a 'triangular' journey brining us back to Worcester.
I guess our interests would be a scenic journey, or maybe to somewhere with one or two pubs that do decent real ales/whiskeys and good food, including vegetarian options.

Or to any nearby town that has any independent record/CD shops and/or interesting independent bus operators I could photograph, or maybe ride on.

There is a multi operator ticket called a County Connecta which is valid for bus travel around the Worcester area.

Connecta scheme (multiple use passes) | Worcestershire County Council

The County Connecta allows passengers unlimited journeys on any bus service across Worcestershire.

www.worcestershire.gov.uk

 

[WM Bus]

Some bus trips to nearby attractions listed at https://visitbytrain.info/worcs/worcester.htm

Johnsons Coaches ceased operation. Now Diamond 149.

 

[ian1944]

Many years ago I spent occasional weeks at a training school in Droitwich and found it a pleasant place, but have no knowledge of what it's currently like. If someone in the know could recommend it, maybe think about a visit. I remember a nice old pub but not its name or location, maybe it's what is now the Old Cock Inn in Friar Street.

 

[satisnek]

Plenty of options as mentioned above but bear in mind that there are no late evening services - Worcestershire is not a bus-friendly council and everything wraps up at 8pm at the latest. Even the flagship 144 service now finishes early (as well as being truncated). (It's a different world in the East Midlands!)

As for record/CD shops, there's one in Worcester itself, in the Old Market Hall off The Shambles. I don't know if Mr. T's in Kidderminster is still going - it has been years since I have been up that part of town.

I haven't been to Droitwich since my father died in 2018 (he lived there), so things might have changed, but the Hop Pole in Friar Street was the preferred choice for the CAMRA fraternity. The Talbot, a bit further along in the High Street, was taken over by Craddock's Brewery in 2016 and is recommended.