8 Things To Do In Worcestershire
Discover these eight fantastic things to do in Worcestershire and make your next trip to the county a memorable one. Whether you want to explore Worcester's heritage sites, get outside in the Malvern Hills or take the kids on a wild day out, Worcestershire has enough to keep all the family thoroughly entertained.
Read on for Pitchup’s favourite things to do when you visit this majestic county full of spectacular landscapes and family attractions – and stick around until the end to find some of the more unusual attractions in the county.
If you’re planning to spend time in Worcestershire, you’ll be needing accommodation. Whether it’s glamping pods, family-friendly caravan parks or peaceful pitches on the banks of the River Severn, Pitchup has an impressive collection of sites.
Worcester
A cathedral city with tons of history
No visit to Worcestershire would be complete without stopping in Worcester. One of the main attractions here is Worcester Cathedral, a grand building on the banks of the River Severn. Its construction was started in the 11th century, with highlights including the Chapter House from the 12th century and the lovely medieval cloisters.
If you’re looking for more historic attractions, the National Trust-owned Greyfriars House and Garden is a 15th-century timber-framed merchant’s house with Italianate walled grounds. Move forward in time to learn about Worcester’s role in the English Civil War at The Commandery, while for a general overview of the city’s history, visit Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum.
Into medical history? Visit the George Marshall Medical Museum to see how healthcare has developed over the past 250 years. Here, you’ll see a reconstructed Victorian operating room, an apothecary and the death masks of hanged criminals.
Witley Court and Gardens
Stunning gardens in the grounds of a former country house
Now managed by English Heritage, Witley Court was one of England’s greatest country houses until it was destroyed by fire in the 1930s. Back in the 1890s, however, it was a fabulous mansion that hosted decadent parties. Look around the ruins and listen to the free audio guide to learn about the people who lived here and the guests who came to party in this corner of Worcestershire.
In the landscaped gardens, see the terraces, pavilions, fountains and flowerbeds, and keep the children happy with a visit to the wilderness play area. Discover the country park as you walk the woodland paths, stopping to see the old Victorian boathouse on the lake.
Keen for the kids to have an alfresco run around? Discover the seven best parks in Worcestershire.
Malvern Hills National Landscape
Get outdoors in the hills
The Malvern Hills are a great place to spend time in the fresh air and give yourself a workout. Whether you want to walk, cycle or go horse riding, you can be sure of steep climbs and extensive views over Worcestershire and other parts of England and Wales, especially on a clear day.
However you choose to move around the hills, look out for wildflowers, birds and bats (and, of course, sources of Malvern’s well-known spring water like St Ann’s Well and Holy Well). As long as they are kept on leads around livestock, dogs are welcome and there are more accessible walks for those who don’t fancy the pull up the hills. Malvern Visitor Centre has route maps, or you can download a Malvern walking app.
Looking for more places to explore on foot? Check out our guide to the seven best walks in Worcestershire.
Droitwich Canal and the River Severn
Get around Worcestershire’s waterways by boat, bike or on foot
Want to get out on the water while you’re in Worcestershire? Take a boat trip on the Mid-Worcestershire Ring, a 21-mile circular boat trip that passes through Worcester and goes through 33 locks. Travel on the Droitwich Barge and Junction canals, the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and the River Severn, and listen to the free audio guide to learn about the history of salt production in the area and the wildlife – including otters and bats – that thrive along the waterways. If you’re a bit of a landlubber, cycle or walk along the towpaths instead.
The Elgar Route
Follow in the footsteps of Edward Elgar
Did you know that Worcestershire was the “Land of Hope and Glory” that inspired composer Sir Edward Elgar? On the 37-mile Elgar Route through the Malvern Hills, visit The Firs, Elgar’s birthplace, and Spetchley Park Gardens, where the great composer lived in a cottage, and tick off the walking route through the city of Worcester. Finally, finish your tour with a visit to his grave at St Wulstan’s Church.
Severn Valley Railway
A family trip on a heritage railway
A heritage steam train trip through towns, villages and natural scenery, the Severn Valley Railway takes you back to the golden age of steam. Head to the Engine House at Highley Station to see old locomotives and learn about the history of the railways in Britain, or take a trip on the train as it pulls up at historic stations like Kidderminster, where there’s a café and railway museum, or Hampton Loade, home of a pub and train-themed gift shop.
There are themed events here throughout the year too, including the ever-popular Santa Train in the run up to Christmas.
West Midlands Safari Park
Go on safari in Worcestershire
Looking for somewhere to go for a day out in Worcestershire with the kids? West Midlands Safari Park is an award-winning attraction that deserves at least a full day of your time.
On the safari drive, travel from the African plains to the wilds of Asia and see elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos and many more animals from the safety of your car. Try out the thrilling rides for kids of all ages in the Adventure Theme Park, or wander through the African Village to get closer to the meerkats and lemurs.
And that’s not all. Go back in time to discover the dinosaurs, or watch a sea lion show and listen to keeper talks about penguins and reptiles.
Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings
An open-air history museum
See historic buildings spanning 700 years at this open-air museum. Among more than 30 buildings removed to and recreated at Avoncroft, there’s a working 19th-century windmill, a fully-furnished prefab from the 1940s and a medieval townhouse.
Making a great day out with family, the museum also covers 19 acres of wildflower meadows, period gardens and cider orchards. Take a picnic or try the award-winning tea room, and catch some of the open-air theatre or historical reenactments laid on throughout the year.
Unusual Things to do in Worcestershire
Hidden attractions around Worcester
If you’re looking for some hidden sights that aren’t on every tourist’s to-do list when they come to Worcestershire, these unusual places might be for you.
Start off at Harvington Hall near Kidderminster, an Elizabethan manor house built in the 1580s by Humphrey Pakington. The house was a hideaway for Catholic priests during Queen Elizabeth I’s period of religious persecution, and there are seven priest holes, with hidden cubbies and even whole secret rooms to discover.
Set to reopen in 2025 after restoration, the Theatre of Small Convenience in Malvern is one of the world’s smallest commercial theatres, which just so happens to be housed in a Victorian public toilet. Finally, head to the 15th-century Mug House Pub on the outskirts of Worcester, one of only two pubs in England to be located on consecrated ground. Why is that unusual? It’s right next to a church, so getting to it means walking through a graveyard.
If you’re after more inspiration on Worcestershire and neighbouring counties, Pitchup has produced a series of detailed area guides to Central England. If you’re staying in the county, check out our many camping options, with prices starting at around £15 per person.
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