Posted by Tori Wilkes on 26th Apr 2023
Guide to Worcestershire
Worcestershire is an idyllic county located in the West Midlands. Based just a 50-minute drive from central Birmingham, you are perfectly positioned to make the most of the countryside without being shut off from the world. In this blog, we have detailed some of our favourite qualities about Worcestershire, as well as some ideas for fun things to do.
Worcestershire is known for its natural beauty. From hiking mountains such as the Malvern’s or level ground like the canals, there are walks for all abilities. You can check out some of the best trails on the All Trail website.
The Malvern Hills boast some incredible views, but they’re most well-known due to their natural mineral springs and wells with people travelling for miles to stock up on the fresh, crystal-clear water. The hills are so vast that they cross over three counties, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, and Worcestershire. The Malverns are made up of a total of 22 hills, and most of them can be accessed by car, making them easily accessible for most abilities. You can even choose to park, walk for 5 minutes, and then enjoy a picnic with an incredible view, without having to hike for hours.
West Midlands Safari Park is one of the biggest Safari Parks in the UK, located on 200 acres of land in the beautiful town of Bewdley. The park opened in 1973 and holds over 165 species of exotic animals among other attractions, such as a theme park and a dinosaur walk. With the largest groups of White Lions, Cheetahs, Hippopotamuses and Meerkats in the UK. The park is known for its important conservation work, caring for many animals that are on the IUCN’s Endangered or Critically Endangered list. West Midlands Safari Park is a fabulous day out for families and friends alike with something for everyone.
Worcester city centre is perfect for retail therapy, with some fantastic independent shops and boutiques. But sprinkled in between the shops, you can find some incredible history. From the Greyfriars house and gardens to The King Charles House pub, where King Charles the Second hid while escaping the Battle of Worcester, you’ll be blown away by the history of this beautiful city. In the evening you can dine in one of Worcester’s fabulous restaurants, and even continue into the night exploring the vast array of nightlife that the city has to offer.
The town of Droitwich is situated on vast deposits of salt, meaning the town’s natural brine contains 2 and a half pounds of salt per gallon, ten times that of seawater. The Droitwich Lido was originally opened in 1935 and filled with diluted brine from local streams meaning that the pool was kept septic without the need for additional chemicals. The pool was temporarily closed during the second world war so that the offices could be used by the military, before permanently closing its doors in 2000. In 2005 the local parish voted in favour of restoring the lido, leading to it being refurbished and re-opened in the summer of 2007. The pool today still utilises the town’s natural salt brine and is the perfect place for locals to spend hot summer days. The pool has previously been voted as the 5th best lido in Britain and continues to attract thousands of visitors a year.
Avoncroft Museum is spread across 19 acres of idyllic Worcestershire countryside and boasts 30 historic buildings and structures. Some of the museum’s structures date back to the fourteenth century, allowing you to be fully immersed in history. The Museum hosts several events throughout the year, often utilising bank, and children’s holidays, ensuring customers are available to enjoy all that Avoncroft has to offer.
Worcestershire is known for its miles of stunning canals that expand the length and width of the county. Most of the canals were built in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, with the aim to connect more rural areas to the cities, the original roads. The Worcester and Birmingham canals are made up of 58 locks and 30 miles of water, perfectly linking the two cities. You can utilise the canals today by walking or cycling the paths, or even hiring a canal barge to fully immerse yourself in the canal experience.