Worcester - Riverside & Viaduct

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Worcester Riverside & Viaduct, with Explorers helping Indy Past follow the clues through Worcester's riverside history to find the pirates' hidden loot.

The quest covers 3.25 miles and should take around 2.5+ hours to complete. You'll start at the railway viaduct on the city side of the river next to the racecourse, follow a circular walk/cycle route along both sides of the River Severn, cross Sabrina Footbridge early on, pass riverside landmarks including Worcester Cathedral, Diglis Bridge and Chapter Meadows, then loop back to the road bridge and viaduct area.

This Trail is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. There are steps on one section that some users will need to bypass, plus some sections that need care, including a busy road crossing and a stretch with no railings.

Take extra care around open water, and make sure cyclists and pedestrians watch out for each other. There is also a busy, major road with fast traffic, and the footbridge over the inlet may be closed, in which case you should walk around it and rejoin the path.

Getting There

By car: Begin your expedition at the railway viaduct on the city side of the river next to the racecourse (WR1 3EJ). There is plenty of parking for your expedition vehicle near the viaduct.

By public transport: Make your way to the railway viaduct on the city side of the river next to the racecourse to begin the quest. The circular route loops back to the road bridge and viaduct area once the pirates' trail has been followed.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort stops are available at the start near the viaduct, and at the cathedral after Clue 15.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can join the treasure hunt 🐾

Tracker dogs should be kept closely supervised throughout, especially around the riverside sections. Keep dogs away from the water's edge and do not let them run ahead in search of clues, particularly near the busy road crossing, the stretch with no railings and shared areas where cyclists and pedestrians need to watch out for each other.

Food & Drink Stops

Pirate-map puzzling is hungry work, so plan your supplies before setting off.

There are few chances to grab snacks on the route, so you may want to pop into the city centre before or after. You can also pack a picnic to enjoy at Clue 10.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The River Severn

The Severn is the watery backbone of this quest. It has been an important trade artery since probably before the coming of the Romans, and particularly since medieval times, cutting deep into the heart of England and linking the iron and coal fields of the Midlands with the Bristol Channel via its tributary, the Avon.

Worcester Cathedral

The Trail passes the cathedral on the other side of the river, making it one of the key landmarks on the riverside section of the route. It is also a useful point to know about during the quest, with toilets available there after Clue 15.

Diglis Bridge

Diglis Bridge adds a bold bit of riverside engineering to the adventure. This painted steel single cable stay bridge has an 'A' frame pylon rising over 28 metres above the west bank and inclined towards the river at 22.5 degrees, while the deck spans 66 metres across the river, is around 3.5 metres wide and weighs about 70 tonnes.

Chapter Meadows

If it's a nice day, Chapter Meadows makes a tempting optional wander before continuing your quest. The route continues past the meadows, where a board tells you who owned it from 1998 to 2024, before carrying on past the weir.

Sabrina Footbridge

The route crosses the River Severn using Sabrina Footbridge early on. It is part of the circular route and keeps Explorers close to the river as the hunt follows Worcester's riverside history.