Health walks require no special equipment, gym memberships, or expensive gear.
Whether you’re younger or older, a city dweller or a more rural resident, walking can be tailored to your lifestyle and fitness levels.
With over 1,200 people and over 2,000 attendances every month, Somerset Health Walks, managed by the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), play a significant role in providing adults of all ages in Somerset, a low-impact, social and health-boosting way of getting moving.
Somerset has a wonderful mix of urban and rural areas and our county has breathtaking views and an abundance of nature.
We can all be guilty of forgetting to embrace and appreciate the nature in our urban landscapes but a Somerset Health Walk in these areas such as Bridgwater, can allow us to provide mental respite, reduce stress and promote wellbeing as well as the great physical benefits.
SASP provides a wealth of physical activities for you to start your journey in Bridgwater, including a well-established and award-winning Moving Mums programme for pregnant women and mums; Unbreakable Men programme for men looking to better their mental health, and a Health and Wellbeing service for those living with long term health conditions to gain 1-to-1 or group support to access physical activity.
Explore Bridgwater with SASP
This SASP walks caters for all ages and abilities with accessible routes for walking aids or buggies to be able to take in views of the River Parrett and stroll along part of the canal which connects Bridgwater to Taunton.
The canal is just over 14 miles but don’t worry we won’t ask you to walk the length! Walks are from a mile to maybe 2.5 – 3 miles at a gentle pace, with this one being just over a mile long and can be extended by continuing the walk along the canal and the river for as long as you desire.
1. From Victoria Park Health and Wellbeing Hub, out of the car park turn left down Victoria Road until you reach the canal. Here, take a left down the path and take a moment to enjoy your surroundings and the wildlife as you stroll down the canal.
2. As you keep going with the canal on your right-hand side, you will reach the docks and here you’ll want to cross the bridge and have the water on your left-hand side. Walk down and approach the first lock as you look out onto the water with all the boats in the dock. Now you’re at the first lock, cross the road safely to keep the water on your left-hand side and approach the second lock. This will link up with the River Parrett via Riverview Terrace which is home to an abounding level of nature and wildlife, from otters swimming their way through, to dragonflies hovering above and even cranes dipping in for lunch.
3. For the short walk to head back to Victoria Park Health and Wellbeing Hub, you can walk down Riverside Terrace for a short distance until you reach Riverside which connects to Kendale Road. Follow Kendale Road down to the crossroads at Chatham Avenue until you get to the roundabout, follow this straight over to Coleridge Green and here you’ll see the entrance to Victoria Park. If you have time at the end of your walk, ‘Café on the Park’ is open 10:30am – 2pm Monday to Friday – excluding bank holidays.
Victoria Park Health and Wellbeing Hub is part of Bridgwater Bay Primary Care Network where you will find our very own Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership Health and Wellbeing Coaches who support people with long-term conditions to access physical activity in order to promote and protect their health.
Our expert walk leaders receive training to risk assess routes, and lead safe and enjoyable walks, but go far beyond this with expert knowledge of the area and are always happy to share taking a break from walking to take in the surroundings and describe the history. Working in the week? No problem come along and join our family walk on a Saturday from the hub! Visit www.sasp.co.uk/health-walks to find a walk near you.
Compass Points
1. Ample parking
2. Café open Monday to Friday
3. This route is dog-friendly – be aware of the water!
4. This route is almost completely flat
5. The walk can be extended along the River Parrett
This article was first published in Somerset Life magazine. To subscribe, visit www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/subscribe
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