An Urbanist Guide to the August Bank Holiday

Stirchley, Birmingham

‘Stirchley sits in the south of the city and has become the latest target of gentrification. However, it might appear to be an area learning from previous experiences in the city, and promoting a different approach. From Kingdom Forest Garden alongside the banks to the river Rea, to the Stirchley co-op housing development, the arts-collective Artefact and the Stirchley Art Room, the community in the area is plotting a different path. 

Recently, the community's campaign blocked a proposed McDonalds development and is now deciding on the collective future of the plot of land. For an urbanist, the mix of retail, the active industrial heritage mixed with entertainment and brewery industries, the green and blue infrastructure and the proximity to Bournville promise an interesting visit.’

- Simeon Shtebunaev, Young Urbanist

Old City, Bristol

'This compact, richly layered and textured city rewards a gentle stroll.

Almost every period of architecture awaits you - from Medieval to classical Victorian (including the characteristic Bristol Byzantine!) to florid Edwardian Baroque and Art Deco and beyond...

Savour the colours and textures (including vermiculated rustication!) of this former banking and civic hub of historic Bristol. Savour also the intimate, semi-hidden spaces, glimpsed through archways.

The whole place shows what an intriguing high density, low rise, walkable city can be...'

(Click the photo to download Richard's illustrated route map)

- Richard Guise, Academician

The Mill Ponds, Cambridge

‘The Mill Ponds are a Cambridge hotspot winter or summer. Head down to The Mill pub for a cosy mulled wine in the depths of winter or go in and grab a takeaway soda lime for your lunch picnics in summer. If you’re lucky, you’ll maybe even get to spend some time with the famous Cambridge cows too…'

- Nuala Durkin, Young Urbanist

Sale Water Park, Greater Manchester

‘Located south of Manchester city Sale water park and the adjacent river Mersey offers a significant area of publicly accessible greenspace. It can be reached from the city centre in about 30 mins via the tram on the Manchester Airport line or a 7 mile cycle along Bridgewater canal. It is also easily accessed via car from the M60, and operates as one of the cities park & ride locations.

The manmade lake was formed in the 1970's with the flooding of a gravel pit formed during the construction of the adjacent M60. The lake now serves a wide variety of water based leisure activities with swimming, fishing, paddle sports and jet skiing regularly in action. There's a variety of trails to explore the area by foot or by bicycle, around the lake, through woodland and along the river. Sections of the pathway along the river Mersey make up part of national cycle route 62, and I would recommend a hybrid of bike to get the most out of cycling here.

Alongside providing a variety of recreational activities, the area also plays an important environmental role. Land adjacent to the river functions as flood basins, protecting surrounding areas, and the Broad Ees Dole Local Nature Reserve provides vital wetland habitat to enhance and conserve biodiversity.

For me this is a really successful and positive use of land, blending societal and environmental benefits. As a place that I visit regularly I feel extremely lucky to have this available to me locally.’

- Katie Allen, Young Urbanist

The Dingle, Shrewsbury

‘Nestled in Quarry Park, the Dingle is a vibrant sunken garden with immaculate flower beds and dazzling floral displays—a peaceful haven that bursts with colour throughout the summer months.’

- Helen Ball, Shrewsbury Town Council (Great Town winner 2024)