Holiday accommodation in Worcestershire: nature, culture and historic trails

One of Worcestershire’s special features is the combination of designated woodland, historic sites and unusual experiences. Large parts of Wyre Forest were designated as a National Nature Reserve in 2022, making Wyre Forest England’s largest wooded National Nature Reserve. At the same time, Wyre Forest is a wooded National Nature Reserve on the border between Worcestershire and Shropshire.

Nature and trails

Wyre Forest has three signposted walking trails, ranging from easy strolls to more challenging hikes. The Malvern Hills and Commons provide access to walks along the ridge, dog walking and more accessible paths. A free walking and cycling map is available for the Malvern Hills and Commons, showing footpaths and bridleways. A moderate walk from Beacon Road Car Park takes around 1.5 hours.

History and culture

Worcester Cathedral is home to the tomb of King John, Prince Arthur’s Chantry, the Norman crypt of St Wulfstan, medieval cloisters and Victorian stained glass. Three pilgrimage routes in Worcestershire are connected with Worcester Cathedral, each of which can be walked to the cathedral in a day. The Battle of Worcester Trail is a digital walking trail that passes through the site of the last battle of the English Civil War.

Croome House is an 18th-century building whose creation involved Robert Adam and Lancelot “Capability” Brown. The Croome estate includes historic buildings set in a landscape designed by “Capability” Brown, with a diverse range of plant life. Witley Court is a roofless ruin created by a devastating fire in 1937. The parish church of St Michael and All Angels is attached to Witley Court, while the parkland features winding woodland paths and numerous tree and shrub species from around the world.

The excavated ruins of Bordesley Abbey are the remains of a medieval Cistercian abbey; the visitor centre explains its development and destruction. Forge Mill is the only surviving water-powered needle-grinding mill in the world. The Forge Mill Needle Museum is housed in a listed building with original water-powered machinery and illustrates how needles were made. RAF Defford was home to more than 2,000 military personnel and scientists in the 1940s, who tested radar to defend against new threats.

Experiences along the way

West Midlands Safari Park offers a four-mile self-drive route through animal habitats featuring species from Africa and Asia. The Severn Valley Railway is a 16-mile heritage railway through the Worcestershire and Shropshire countryside, offering journeys with original steam locomotives and historic diesel locomotives. In Worcestershire, self-guided luxury narrowboat holidays can begin at locations along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal.

Getting around

Worcestershire on Demand offers residents and visitors zonal journeys within a defined area, as well as to specific points of interest outside the zone. Railway stations in Worcestershire include Evesham, Pershore, Worcestershire Parkway, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, Malvern Link and Great Malvern. The tourist information centre in the Guildhall on Worcester High Street provides information, guidebooks and maps for visiting the city and its surroundings, and sells souvenirs and gifts.

Regional produce

Astley Vineyard produces white, sparkling and experimental wines and offers vineyard tours. Hop growing in the Teme Valley dates back to the 17th century and remains important there today. Worcestershire is home to numerous orchards that contribute to local cider production, including Oldfields Cider and Barbourne Cider.

Holiday accommodation in Worcestershire

This makes it possible to compare listings based on the same points without assuming features of individual properties. The specific details on the listing page remain decisive.

Other places in Worcestershire

Other places in Worcestershire: Worcester, Tenbury Wells, Stourport, Redditch, Pershore, Malvern Wells, Little Malvern, Kidderminster, Hopwood, Harvington, Hanley Castle, Hadley, Great Witley, Evesham, Droitwich, Bromsgrove.

Bewdley, Shrawley, Abberley, Rochford, Upton Snodsbury, Bransford, Churchill, Broadway, Hagley, Strensham, Martley, Malvern, Berrow, Dunhampton, Ribbesford, Uckinghall.

Berrington, Blakedown, Hollywood, Clifton Upon Teme, Stoke Prior, Kempsey, Hallow, Barnt Green, Alvechurch, Tibberton, Wolverley, Offenham, South Littleton, Peopleton, Upton upon Severn, Rock, Rous Lench.

To the higher-level travel overview: West Midlands.