Places to Visit and Days Out in Worcestershire
Almonry Heritage Centre
The Almonry is a large 14th-c. stone and half-timbered hall, adjacent to the ruins of Evesham Abbey, and set in 7 acres of riverside parkland. Once home to the Abbey's Almoner, it was used as a distribution centre for food and clothing to the poor. This beautiful historic building it is now a fascinating museum of local history, with displays from pre-history to present times. Part of the museum is dedicated to Simon de Montfort (killed in the Battle of Evesham in 1265), who was instrumental in the creation of England's first Parliament.
Opening times: all year: Mon-Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 2am to 5pm (closed Xmas) Admission Charge
Location: Abbey Gate, Evesham, Worcester WR11
4BG - Tel: 01386 446944 - Website
Facilities: Parking nearby, shop
Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings
Collection of rescued heritage buildings spanning seven centuries of British history, from ancient windmills to 15th and 6th century timber framed buildings, 18th-c. agricultural buildings and a 1946 prefab. The buildings have been carefully demolished and rebuilt on the site and restored to their original condition.
Opening times: Times vary throughout the season see website for details Admission Charge
Location: Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, B60 4JR - Tel: 01527 831886 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop
Broadway Tower
Flamboyant folly, built in 1799 by the Earl of Coventry, on the 2nd highest point in the Cotswolds. The tower's observation room provides unimpeded panoramic views across the Vale of Evesham to Wales. The 65 ft crenulated tower also contains an exhibition room and art gallery, and is surrounded by a country park that provides lovely rural walks, nature trails and picnic areas.
Opening times: Apr-Oct, daily 10.30am to 5pm. Nov-Mar (tower only) weekends 11am to 3pm Admission Charge
Location: Broadway, WR12 7LB - Tel: 01386 852390 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, restaurant, shop
Forge Mill Needle Museum
The red brick water driven mill was once a factory for the manufacture of needles, fish hooks and hatpins. Much of the original 18th-c. water-powered machinery is still in working order. The mill is now the home of the National Needle Museum, where exhibits show the multiple uses of the needle, including surgical needles and gramophone needles.
Opening times: Easter to Sep, Mon-Fri 11am to 4.30pm, Sat-Sun 2am to 5pm Admission Charge
Location: Forge Mill, Needle Mill Lane, Redditch B98 8HY - Tel: 01527 62509 - Website
Facilities: Parking, shop
Hanbury Hall
Hanbury Hall is a red-brick William and Mary style house built in 1701 for prosperous barrister Thomas Vernon. The interior is famed for its detailed plasterwork, fine staircase murals and painted ceilings decorated with mythological scenes by master decorator Sir James Thornhill. The Long Room contains English porcelain from the Watney Collection. The 18th century garden has been recently restored with many period features including a parterre and a functional Orangery.
Opening times: Mar~Oct, Sat-Wed 11am to 5.30pm Admission Charge
Location: School Road, Hanbury, Worcs, WR9 7EA - Tel: 01527 821214 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop
Museum of Carpet
This facinating textile Museum is Britian's only museum dedicated to the story of carpet manufacture. It explores the history and heritage of Kiddiminster's 300 year old industry, with much of the orginal looms and machinery on display and still in working order. Come and hear the tremendous clatter of the looms or try your hand at creating your own carpet design.
Opening times: Tue to Sat, 10.30am – 4.30pm, BH Mon, 10.30pm – 1.00pm - Admission Charge
Location: Stour Vale Mill, Green Street, Kidderminster,
DY10 1AZ - Tel: 01562 69028 - Website
Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway boasts the largest collection of heritage locomotives in the country, which steam through some of the most scenic countryside in Shropshire and Worcestershire. The railway also owns a vast amount of rolling stock, all restored to its original livery. The track runs for 16 miles along the course of the winding River Severn from Kidderminster, on the edge of the Wyre Forest. The line runs through several village stations and crosses the 200 ft span of the Victoria Bridge, high above the river, before terminating at Bridgnorth; a pleasant town on two levels with an unusual leaning castle.
Opening times: Trains operate on a regular schedule - see website for details Admission Charge
Location: Comberton Hill, Kidderminster, DY10 1QN - Tel: 01299 403816 - Website
Facilities: Parking (charged), café, shop
Spetchley Park Gardens
Lovely 19th-c neo-classical home (house not open
to public) belonging to the Berkeley family. The house
is surrounded by 30 acres of landscaped gardens containing
many rare plants, shrubs and trees. The planting provides
all year round interest but the gardens are particularly
spectacular in the spring. Herds of red and fallow
deer roam the parklands and ornamental wildfowl inhabit
the large lake.
Opening times: all year: Wed-Sun, BH Mon, 11am to 6pm Admission Charge
Location: Spetchley Park, Spetchley, Worcs, WR5 1RS - Tel: 01905 345213 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café
West Midland Safari & Leisure Park
Established in the early 70s, it is now one of the most popular Safari Parks in Britain, where a wide variety of exotic animals roam across 200-acres of lush rolling countryside. The park includes drive-through reserves of lions, tigers, bison, giraffes, rhinos, monkeys and zebra. Alongside the reserve is an extensive leisure park with children's amusements rides, plays areas and a boating lake. Picnic areas and live shows suitable for the whole family.
Opening times: Mid Feb to early Nov. Times vary see website. Admission Charge
Location: Spring Grove, Bewdley, DY12 1LF - Tel: 01299 402114 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, restaurant, shop
Witley Court
The shell of a vast Italianate mansion, built by the 1st Earl of Dudley in the 19th century. A wing of the court was destroyed by fire in 1937 after which the rest of the property the fell into decay. The estates most endearing asset is its magnificent landscaped gardens that feature the stunning Perseus and Andromeda fountains and other contemporary sculpture.
Opening times: Mar~May & Sep~Oct, daily, 10am to 5pm; Jun~Aug, dally, 10am to 6pm; Nov~Feb, Thu-Mon, 10am to 4pm (closed Xmas & NY) Admission Charge
Location: Great Witley, Worcs, WR6 6JT - Tel: 01299 896636 - Website
Facilities: Parking, café, shop
Please note that the above information was accurate at the time this page was last updated. This information is subject to change at any time (opening times in particular), therefore if you plan on visiting any of the above attractions, please check the owner's website first or phone them for the latest details.