Path on right hand side leading down grassy hillside with Malvern Hills stretching from point of photo to the horizon

Free things to do in Worcestershire

As you might expect in such a dramatically beautiful area, many of the free things to do in Worcestershire are outside. This is ideal for active families or visitors who want to explore the area. However, there’s plenty to do on a rainy day too. Indoor attractions include museums and historical buildings. I have a separate post that might be useful if you’re looking for things to do during the Worcestershire school holidays. You can also check out cost-free items in neighbouring counties in the following free activities guides:

Contents hide

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Bewdley

Bewdley Museum (Bewdley)

Bewdley Museum takes visitors back in time to explore the area’s Georgian heritage. Enjoy craft demonstrations, hands on activities, tactile displays, artefacts and a sensory herb garden. Other attractions include a cafe, bar and craft studios. From here, you can also access the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens with its ornamental fish ponds. Dogs on leads are welcome. Further information is available on the museum website.

Trimpley Reservoir (Bewdley)

Popular with wildlife watchers, bird spotters and walkers, Trimpley Reservoir is an enjoyable, free day out. Car parking is available and dogs are welcome but there are no toilets. The site is hilly and may not be ideal for wheelchairs.  Fishing and sailing are both paid activities that take place at Trimpley, but the site itself is free and visitors can bring a picnic blanket and enjoy the peace and quiet. Further information is available from Severn Trent Water.  

Wyre Forest (Bewdley)

The Forestry England managed Wyre Forest offers a host of activities, some free and some paid for. It is an ideal place for a day out with three walking trails and a family cycle trail, children’s play area and cafe. Dogs are welcome in theorist and the cafe and there is even a dog wash. Paid activities include Go Ape and Nordic Walking. Car parking is available. For further information, head to Forestry England

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Bromsgrove

Pepper Wood (Bromsgrove)

Pepper Wood is an important Woodland Trust area of community woodland that is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Visitors can explore a network of signposted trails. A surfaced, mainly flat bridleway runs through the wood that is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs. The site has a small car park with space for six vehicles. No toilets are available on site. Look out for a variety of wildlife including fallow deer. Further information is available from the Woodland Trust.  

Sanders Park (Bromsgrove)

Sanders Park is an important open space in Bromsgrove. Facilities include a skate park, multi sports areas, a modern children’s play area, sensory garden, cafe and toilets including accessible facilities. A brook runs through the park in a valley and visitors can start here for three local walks of various distances. Further information is available from Bromsgrove’s local government website.

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Evesham

Abbey Park (Evesham)

Evesham’s Abbey Park is open daily with parking available in a multi-story car park. Its open grass areas, children’s play area and water fountains make it an ideal place for a family day out and a picnic. A skate park will keep children entertained while the lily pond, trees, shrubs and access to the river make a lovely backdrop for a walk. Further details are available here.

Blossom Trail (Evesham)

Evesham’s blossom trail is a 45 mile long signposted route that is one of the best free things to do in Worcestershire in spring, when walkers can appreciate the colourful blossoms of apple, cherry, pear and plum trees. The flowers usually bloom from March to May. Full information on the route and its history is available from the Visit Evesham website.

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Malvern

Great Malvern Priory (Malvern)

Dating back to 1085 when it was built as a monastery, Malvern Priory is a welcoming, accessible place to visit with toilet facilities available. It is also dog friendly. A small shop in the priory sells gifts, cards and books. Visitors can admire the beautiful building and visit Annie Darwin’s grave. Children are welcome and a small children’s area often has activities such as colouring available.  There are numerous cafes and restaurants nearby and it is a great starting point for walks around the area including the Malvern Hills. Find out more on the Malvern Priory website.  

Malvern Priory viewed through the branches of an evergreen tree
Great Malvern Priory is free to visit and dog friendly

Malvern Hills (Malvern)

Ten miles end to end, the Malvern Hills offer beautiful walks and stunning views from the top. It’s not surprising that a visit to the Malvern Hills is among the most popular Free things to do in Worcestershire. There are well maintained and tarmac parts in some places but it goes without saying that they are all hilly. The hills are popular with walkers, climbers and mountain bikers. Signposted mountain bike trails aim to keep cyclists to designated paths to keep both them and pedestrians safe. Further information on visiting the Malvern Hills is available from the Malvern Hills Trust website. I also have a selection of suggested walks on the Malvern Hills.

Malvern Hills at sunset with cattle grazing on the hillside
Malvern Hills at Sunset with cattle grazing on the hillside

Priory Park (Malvern)

Malvern’s Priory Park was once the garden of Priory Mansion, now the local council building. The park itself is beautiful with trees, streams and a pond with a beautiful bridge across it. A bandstand in the middle of the park hosts concerts on Sunday afternoons during the summer. A brand new children’s playground is great for little ones and older children alike. The park is right behind Malvern Theatres which has a small cafe. It is also a short walk into town. Paths within the park are wide and well surfaced. Further information is available from the District Council.

Two girls standing in front of the Priory Park bridge, a free park in Great Malvern
Priory Park in Great Malvern is free to visit and has a beautiful bridge over its pond

Route to the Hills (Malvern)

If you’re in the mood for an uphill walk, start at historic Great Malvern Railway Station and follow the Route to the Hills. The route takes you through Priory Park and up into the town centre before you carry on heading upwards into the beautiful Malvern Hills. Learn about Malvern’s history including its Victorian Water Cure, links to Edward Elgar and why Malvern is thought to be the real Narnia. Visitors can collect a free guide book from Malvern’s Tourist Information Centre or Museum of Local History. Find out more about the route from the Visit the Malverns website.

Victoria Park (Malvern)

Malvern’s Victoria Park is a popular local attraction with lots of facilities to get people active. A well equipped children’s playground, skate ramps, tennis courts and football pitches are all free to use. There is a cafe on site for refreshments and it is a short walk from Malvern Link. Further information is available here.

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Pershore

Abbey Park (Pershore)

Like its namesake in Evesham, Pershore’s Abbey Park boasts plenty of green space and a children’s play area and splash pad. Admire views of the historic Abbey and look out for the tree sculpture. Wetland habitat can be visited using the boardwalk to avoid getting wet and muddy. Further information is available here.

Bredon Hill (Pershore)

Looming impressively over the local landscape Bredon Hill is steeped in history. It once hosted an Iron Age hill fort dating back to before the 1st century AD. A hoard of roman coins was found here in 2011 and earthworks of a medieval castle can still be seen.   At the top of the hill is a small building called Parsons Folley. Visitors can also see prehistoric megaliths, follow well defined walking trails and enjoy a picnic at nearby Elmley Castle. For further information including how to get there head to the Discover Worcestershire website.  

Pershore Abbey (Pershore)

Pershore Abbey was originally the site of a Mediaeval Benedictine Monastery. Visitors will see a fine example of Early English and Normal architecture. The nave was destroyed by Henry VIII in the 1600s. The Abbey is free to visit although they do ask for donations to help with the building’s upkeep. Dogs on leads are welcome to visit too! Full details and opening hours are on the Abbey website.  

Tiddesley Wood Nature Reserve (Pershore)

Tiddesley Wood nature reserve offers a woodland environment ideal for walking. The former deer park provides a habitat for many species of animals, birds and insects. A car park is available and dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads due to sheep grazing. The woodland is open daily from dawn to dusk and a 2km long stony path leads from the car park into the wood.  Away from this main track, paths may be muddy. Further information is available from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.  

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Redditch

Arrow Valley Country Park (Redditch)

Arrow Valley Country Park is a huge area of open space with plenty of things to do. The River Arrow runs through its 2.5 square miles of countryside and Arrow Valley Lake offers another water feature and additional wildlife habitat. Arrow Valley Visitor Centre is situated at the lakeside where there is a cafe and toilets. Follow a family art trail, explore way marked walking trails or follow the permanent orienteering course. Further details are available from Redditch Borough Council

Morton Stanely Park (Redditch)

Morton Stanley Park offers a selection of walks with beautiful views and plenty to keep the children entertained. Well equipped play areas, zip wires and grass football pitches are ideal for getting children outdoors and active. Dogs are welcome and will need to be kept on leads in some, clearly marked areas. Further information is available from Redditch Borough Council.  

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Stourport

Hartlebury Common (Stourport)

Hartlebury Common just outside Stourport is a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its lowland heath landscape. It is also one of the most important nature reserves in the area. Visitors can park at the common and use the picnic area. Several walking paths and a viewpoint area available and there is a pub called the Old Rose & Crown adjacent to the common where food is served. As well as the heathland, landscape includes a bog, woodland and a pool. Look out for wildlife on your walk, children will enjoy a spotter sheet detailing plants, animals and birds available from the Hartlebury Common website.   

Stourport Basins (Stourport)

Stourport’s basin was once a busy inland port here the River Severn meets the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. These days, the basins have been restored and offer to tell the secrets of their history to visitors. It is ideal for walking and canoeing and there are pubs nearby serving food as well as a steamer company running boat trips. Whilst visiting the basin is free, there is a fee for boat trips and for using the Treasure Island Fairground. Look out for bats at dusk and you may even be lucky enough to spot an otter. More commonly, visitors see moorhens, ducks and swans. Further information on visiting is available from the Canal and River Trust.

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Upton Upon Severn

Upton Ham Nature Reserve (Upton Upon Severn)

As a riverside town, Upton Upon Severn’s floodplain is both beautiful and necessary. Known as The Ham, the 60 acre flood plain is one of the UK’s oldest Lammas meadows. No pesticides, herbicides or fertilisers are used on it and it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Lammas meadows offer an insight into the past as strips of the land are allotted to people to take the hay and grazing is shared. Enjoy a stroll across the meadow to the River Severn where you can follow the riverside path. Further information on the Ham is available here.

Upton Upon Severn Heritage Centre (Upton Upon Severn)

If you are visiting Upton Upon Severn, its iconic landmark, the Pepperpot is a good place to start. Inside you’ll find Upton’s Heritage Centre with displays providing an insight into the town’s history. The building itself used to be a church before it was declared too small in the 1879 and another church was built elsewhere in the town. The nave was dismantled in the 1930s and the former churchyard turned into a garden. In 1953, the pepperpot was declared to be an ancient monument. Further information about the heritage centre is available here.

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Worcester

Cripplegate Park (Worcester)

Worcester’s Cripplegate Park is set just outside the town centre, opposite Worcester Cricket Club. A children’s play area, picnic area, climbing frame, zip wire and assault course are all free to use. Toilets are available in the park and lots of cafes and restaurants can be found nearby. Further information including parking and a map of the park are available from Worcester City Council.

Fort Royal Park (Worcester)

Historians will find Fort Royal Park’s location fascinating because it is situated on the site of the Battle of Worcester, the last battle of the English Civil War that took place in 1651. Regarded as the birthplace of democracy, the site was visited by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents of the USA. These days, a well equipped children’s playground can be found on the site. Modern play equipment for all ages is themed around the site’s civil war history. From here, visitors can use a QR reader on a smartphone to follow the Fort Royal Memory trail and learn about the history of the area. Pay and display car parks are available nearby and full information can be found on the Worcester City Council website.

George Marshall Medical Museum (Worcester)

Within the Charge Hastings Education centre for healthcare staff is the free George Marshall Medical Museum. Here, you’ll find exhibits from George Marshall’s collection of medical objects. The museum illustrates the development of medicine over the last 250 years and visitors can see everything from criminal death masks to a Victorian operating theatre and traditional apothecary shop. Details and opening times are available from Worcester Medical Museums.  

Gheluvelt Park (Worcester)

Worcester’s Gheluvelt park is one of the best free things to do in Worcestershire for families, particularly during the summer months when the splash pad is open. Free parking is available and most of the park’s paths are well surfaced and accessible for wheelchairs. Other facilities include separate play areas for older and younger children along with toilets and a cafe. Two table tennis tables within the park are free to use but visitors will need to bring their own equipment. Further information is available from Worcester City Council.

The Hive (Worcester)

Worcester’s huge library at The Hive is an imposing  and unusual building. On the lower ground floor, you’ll find study areas, gaming stations and comfortable chairs to relax in. On the ground floor is the children’s library and Story Island outside teaching area. A cafe and the Studio theatre are also on this level. Above that, you’ll find the archaeology service and archives.  Level 3 is the main public library with a silent study area on level 4. Further information on the building and events held here are available from The Hive.  

Infirmary Museum (Worcester)

The interactive Infirmary Museum is located at Worcester University’s city campus. It tells medical stories from the Worcester Royal Infirmary that was on the site from 1771 to 2002 through a combination of science, history, technology and art. Visitors can meet characters from different eras, learn about medical technology and challenge their ideas of mental health. A cafe, toilets and baby changing areas are all available in the building. Further details and opening times are available from the Medical Museums website.

Tudor House Museum (Worcester)

Tudor House Museum is based in one of the city’s oldest streets. It is free to visit and located in a Timber framed building with its original embossed ceiling. It tells the “Lost story” of Worcester’s weaving and cloth making. Embroiderers have created a pelmet to go on the Tudor bed in the museum and will be making curtains and a counterpane to go with it. The museum also houses the Changing Face of Worcester project, archiving and digitising photos and slides originally owned by two brothers who put on slide shows for local residents. Further information about visiting the museum is on the Tudor House website.  

Worcester Cathedral (Worcester)

Worcester Cathedral encourages visitors and often has events taking place. Of particular note is its display of Christmas trees each year. A shop and cafe on site plus interactive touch screens to learn about the building’s history make it an interesting place to visit. A cathedral was first built on the site in 680 and it became one of the country’s most important monastic cathedrals in Anglo-Saxon times. These days, there are fun activities for children to keep them amused while looking around and the cathedral makes a good starting point for exploring the city or for a stroll along the River Severn. Further information including opening times is on the cathedral’s website.

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum (Worcester)

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is located in a Victorian building and hosts various exhibitions, activities and events. Entry is free and visitors can check out the dinosaur footprints, history of Worcestershire sauce, a Roman mosaic and an authentic totem pole.  Interactive galleries tell the takeoff the Worcestershire Yeomanry Cavlry and the Worcestershire Regiment. There is even a Victorian Chemist shop. Contemporary art exhibitions, a historic picture collection and exhibits gathered from across the world make the Museum and Art Gallery a fascinating day out. An on site cafe tempts visitors with light meals, drinks and impressive cakes. For further information , head to the Worcestershire museums website.  

Worcester Woods (Worcester)

The beautiful Worcestershire woods is a favourite place with locals. Not least because adjacent to the wood are two large children’s play areas, a huge field and a decent cafe with toilet facilities. Parking is available for cars and bicycles. A route circular walk around the woodland is ideal for children to burn off some energy and dogs are welcome. Head to the Worcestershire County Council website for further information.

Free things to do in Worcestershire: Around the county 

Brinton Park (Kidderminster)

Kidderminster’s Brinton Park is a popular open space. A children’s play area and splash pad entertain little ones, while older children may prefer to visit the skatepark. Tennis courts, toilets, a sensory garden and a pop-up cafe are also available in the park. For full details, head to the Brinton Park website.  

Broadway Activity Park (Broadway)

Broadway’s activity park is great fun for children of all ages. The three acre recreation site was transformed to contain four separate play areas. Each is targeted at a different age bracket with appropriate play equipment. Between the four areas is open grass and the site also boasts a picnic area. Broadway itself is a lovely village to stroll around with lots of cafes, restaurants and small shops. Further information on the play area and the village itself is available from the Broadway website.

Clent Hills (Romsley)

The Clent Hills is a National Trust managed area that is free to visit. Parking costs £3 per day for non-members and is free for members. A cafe and toilets are available on site. The area is popular with walkers and mountain bikers. Dogs are welcome and must be on leads around livestock, on the easy access path and in the car park. Several suggested walking routes and further information about the area are on the National Trust website.

Cob House (Wichenford)

When my children were young, Cob House was one of my favourite free things to do in Worcestershire. A small play area for children sits beside the large Mayfly cafe. Visitors can also visit and feed the reindeer, alpacas, goats and chickens on site and take a stroll around the lake. The Mayfly cafe is dog friendly but dogs are not allowed onto the fisheries. Cob House is free to visit although paid activities do take place here. They do not allow picnics because revenue from the cafe allows them to keep visiting free. Further details and events information is on the Cob House website.

Brown alpaca at Cob House
It is free to visit and see the animals at Cob House

Droitwich Spa Heritage and Information Centre (Droitwich)

The Droitwich Heritage Museum offers a fascinating insight into the area’s history. The tourist information centre is in the same building and they can direct visitors to other things to do in the area. The museum itself contains the Salt Museum, telling the story of the town’s salt making industry. The Droitwich Calling exhibition informs visitors of the history of the BBC transmitting station in the area whose masts can still be seen on the skyline although it closed in 1989. Visitors can also learn about the history of the town’s lido, delve into archives relating to Droitwich people and history and view temporary displays and exhibitions. Full details and visiting information are on the museum website.

Elgar Route (around Worcestershire)

Worcestershire is well known for its connections with Edward Elgar. The Elgar route takes in his favourite places as well as his former homes and his grave. The route is free to follow but there is a charge for entry to the Elgar Birthplace Museum at the Firs unless you are a National Trust member.  The full route is detailed on the Visit The Malverns website.  

The Firs National Trust in Worcestershire Elgar's cottage
The Firs is one part of the Elgar Trail that is not free to visit unless you are a National Trust member

Great Witley Church (Great Witley)

Located next to Witley Court, Great Witley Church is elaborately decorated church with gilded decorations Antonio Bellucci ceilig paintings, Joshua Price painted glass windows and a Michael Rysbrack monument. The vaults in the crypt are open to the public as well as the church itself. The popular church garden tea rooms offer hot and cold drinks and food. Further information is available on the Great Witley Church website.

Kingsford Forest Park (Wolverley)

Kingsford Country Park and Kinver Edge are on the Worcestershire / Staffordshire border and comprise more than 200 acres of woodland and sandstone cliffs. Walking trails around the area offer beautiful countryside views. Down in the valley, you can see caves carved into the rock where people once lived. To see restored rock houses, head to National Trust Kinver Edge and the Rock Houses. However, whilst Kingsford Country Park is free to visit, there is a charge for visiting the Rock Houses unless you are a National Trust member. Four circular walking trails of various distances are available to explore around Kingsford Country Park. For more information, head to the Discover Worcestershire website.  

Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve (Alfrick)

The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve near Alfrick is a beautiful, Wildlife Trust managed area of countryside. Walking trails around the reserve can be muddy and slippery. Beautiful Leigh brook runs through the reserve and visitors often spot kingfishers. Other wildlife to look out for includes adders, dragonflies, damselflies and even otters. Parking at the reserve is extremely limited so it is advisable to get there early and avoid busy times. Further details are available from the Wildlife Trust.

Malvern Hills Geocentre (Upper Colwall)

The Malvern Hills Geocentre offers visitor information for the whole of the Geopark Way. The official visitor centre is within cafe H2O at the centre. See fossils from the hills and huge maps of the area on the walls. Ipads within the cafe offer a wealth of information to visitors. The cafe also serves a selection of light lunches and refreshments. Further information is available on the Geocentre website. As well as the Geocentre cafe, Sally’s Place kiosk at the foot of the British Camp is popular for its hot food at breakfast and lunchtime along with drinks, snacks and excellent cake.

Middle Littleton Tithe Barn (Middle Littleton)

One of the best preserved tithe barns in the UK, Middle Littleton Tythe Barn is a National Trust managed, grade 1 listed building that is free to visit. Built in the 13th or 14th century, the barn would have been used to store tithes and rents. This was a tenth of each farm’s produce and it was given to the church. There are no facilities on site, but visitors can buy refreshments from the Fleece Inn, a nearby National Trust owned pub. Check the National Trust website for opening times and further information.

Tardebigge Locks (Tardebigge to Stoke Prior)

With a total of 30 locks, Tardebigge is the longest lock flight in the country. Start on the towpath by Tardebigge Wharf and see a tug called “the Birmingham”, built in 1912. It was originally designed to pull horse drawn boats through tunnels on the cannel. From here, you’ll continue along the route and see the Tardebigge Flight that allows boats to ascend or descend 220 feet. Further information on the route is available from the Canal and River Trust

Waseley Hills Country Park (Rubery)

Waseley Hills Country Park is an ideal place for dog walking, cycling, kite flying and picnics. Walk up a big hill for panoramic views of the area or visit the Windmill Cafe for hot and cold drinks, meals, snacks and doggy ice cream. A children’s play area and orienteering course are available for visitors and a visitor centre offers information about the area.  Two signposted trails offer walking routes of different distances. Toilets and car parking are available and parking charges go to the upkeep of the country park. Further information is available from Worcestershire County Council.   

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments

    1. Thanks Joy, I’m so glad it was useful. It’s always surprising how many free things are around when you research it, we definitely need to do more of them too!
      Nat.x