Elgar's Shepherd's Huts

When staying at this site, it’s almost your duty to learn more about Elgar. That’s easily done at National Trust - The Firs: Elgar’s Birthplace (five minutes’ drive), a pretty country cottage that now displays assorted artefacts that belonged to the composer. The visitor centre has a piano that you can play, should inspiration strike, or you can embark on a musical journey at Elgar Soundscapes, in the garden. Continue your Elgar education in Worcester, where a statue of the composer sits at the southern end of the High Street, facing the 11th-century cathedral, with its spectacular stained-glass windows (many of them dating from Victorian times). The city is also known for its delicate porcelain, which you can admire at the Museum of Royal Worcester. Epic hikes (including some long-distance trails) await at Malvern Hills National Landscape (25 minutes) – from the top of the Worcester Beacon, you can see as far as Wales on a clear day. As you stroll through the area’s woodland, you might spot woodpeckers and butterflies. Finally, Stratford-upon-Avon (50 minutes) is not too far away for Shakespeare-inspired activities.