Free days out in Hereford & Worcester
With tighter budgets, a few free days out in Hereford and Worcester can certainly help fill the summer holidays. Lots of places are offering deals to make eating out more affordable (read more here), or you can pack a picnic. You could take a trip to a park, or visit somewhere offering free entry for children. Don’t forget the library! There are loads of branches, membership is free, and they put on lots of events in the school holidays too. The children could take part in this years Summer Reading Challenge. Find out about Hereford Libraries here and Worcester Libraries here.
There are often events which are free too. This year there are 2 Dino-Days in Hereford – on 17th & 24th August. Check out the what’s on guide here for details of events.
As for parks, and free entry places, here are a few of our freebie favourites.
Herefordshire
Parks
Free days out – parks in Hereford and Worcester.
Bishops Meadow, King George Playing Fields and Castle Green are parks set along the banks of the River Wye in the centre of Hereford, offering stunning views and lush green space to walk, run, cycle, play, spot wildlife and even spot dinosaurs!
Download the Love Exploring app to find art sculptures, historic landmarks, places of interest, or play games and quizzes while you search for AR dinosaurs – you can even photograph them! Read our review here. Paths are wheelchair friendly, and nearest parking is at the Halo Swimming Pool St Martins Street.
Other parks just outside of the city:
Belmont Haywood Country Park Selected areas of this lovely 18-acre wild grassland site have been mown to allow children and families space to play games such as football or rounders. There is a small play area with equipment for younger children to enjoy, picnic benches and places to sit all around the park. Spot a variety of wildlife at the Belmont pool. Recently restored footways meander across and around the park and allow access for people to enjoy the area whether on foot, on a bicycle, in a pushchair or on a mobility scooter. Car parking is available off Waterfield Road.
Ayelstone Hill Park Another lovely free park with carparking, great pathways and benches throughout. There’s a lovely children’s play area too! HR1 1JJ
The Quarry, Tupsley The 17 acre site is divided into a dog exercise area, a play area, a nature reserve and a large open grassed area with two football pitches. Community events are often held here too. HR1 1SU
Credenhill Woods This is a Woodland Trust site covering over 224 acres, with a long and fascinating history. It has beautiful woodland full of wildlife including deer and badgers, geoCaching, and fantastic views. Free car parking. The main lower routes are surfaced paths. But other paths can be steep with steps. HR4 7DB
Breinton Springs offers lovely rural walks, one of which is part of the ‘Wye Valley Walk’ – a footpath which runs from Hereford city along the river. Free parking is available in Lower Breinton. HR4 7PG
Haugh Woods offers 350 hectares of mixed woodland and is home to lots of wildlife including some very rare butterflies (such as the Pearl-bordered Fritillary). There are 2 waymarked butterfly trails from the main car park. Pathways are hard forest tracks with some gentle slopes. HR1 4QX
Queenswood Country Park & Arboretum A family favourite covering 123 acres of ancient woodland, with easy access paths. Gruffalo Trail, a woodlands children’s adventure playground, a fabulous viewing point capturing views across to The Malvern Hills and The Black Mountains, a visitors centre, toilets, picnic facilities, café and shop. Dogs are welcome in the parkland. Entry is free, but car parking charges apply. HR6 0PY 
Black Mountains – Day or night! Stargazing – We are really blessed to have so many rural spots around Herefordshire and Worcestershire which have very little light pollution, so why not make the most of it and take the family stargazing? Our favourite star gazing spot is Hay Bluff, part of the Black Mountain range of the Brecon Beacons, right on the Welsh border with Herefordshire, and we aren’t alone in thinking that – The Guardian lists it as one of the 20 top places in the UK to stargaze. Check out their list for the very best stargazing locations! If you time it right, you can even spot shooting stars, with the Delta Aquariids meteor shower, Alpha Capricornids meteor shower, and The Perseid meteor shower, regarded as one of the best yearly showers. Find out when these are here. This area of the UK is also fabulous to visit in the day time, with mountain walks and plenty of space
You can find other parks around Hereford here, and those with children’s play areas here.
Places to go – free for children!
There are more options for free days in Hereford and Worcester, some of these may charge for adults but offer free entry for children.
Hereford Cathedral There are loads of family-friendly activities at Hereford Cathedral, including the free children’s app Rapscallion’s Revenge, free toddler group on Monday mornings in term time, and family fun activities during the holidays (some of these may incur a small fee to cover costs). Free entry.
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery is currently closed for refurbishment. The museum services are holding events across the county – find out what’s on where on the website here.
The Black and White House Museum is located in the pedestrianised centre of Hereford. Built in 1621, it is furnished in period style. There are hands-on activities for children including replica clothing and puzzles. Special events and activities are held throughout the year, and in school holidays. While there is an entrance fee for adults, children have free entry.
The Waterworks Museum Hereford offers free entry for children. They allow picnics too, so this is an affordable day out. This lovely museum is 
around a 20 minute walk from The Cathedral. It has free parking if you are driving. Younger children are kept engaged with the Freddie Frog trail, and the hands on exhibits. The outdoor Play and Learn water park is great fun for all ages. Most of the museum is wheelchair friendly. Read our review here
Worcestershire
Wyre Forest encompasses a vast area of natural beauty and has 3 way marked walking trails, a family cycle route, a play area, picnic areas and cafe. They also have a wide variety of events on offer including a weekly Parkrun, Health Walks, Toddler Forest Fun and monthly Family Forest adventures, and lots of one off events. Check the website for details.
Arrow Valley Park – With waymarked trails across this 900 acre park there are some fabulous walks and activities on offer. As the River Arrow meanders through this parkland and the 29-acre Arrow Valley Lake, it is also home to plenty of different wildlife. With a family art trail, orienteering, a cafe, visitors centre and toilets, this makes for a great day out. Check the website for activities and visitors centre opening details.
Worcester Woods Country Park With a huge open field, waymarked woodland trails, not just one but two nature reserves, cafe, picnic areas and an adventure play area, it’s no wonder this is a favourite with our families! ‘Whether you are looking for birds, swings, coffee, flowers, footpaths or all of these and more, you’ve come to the right place at Worcester Woods Country Park.’ Check out their website for full details.
You can find other parks in Worcester here, and those with children’s play areas here.
Worcester Cathedral has child-friendly trails for the younger ones to enjoy.
Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is housed in the heart of Worcester, in an elegant Victorian building, and offers something for all the family to enjoy. Check their website to find out about the special exhibitions, events and activities they hold throughout the year. This summer has a dinosaurs on the doorstep exhibition!
Bewdley Museum is set in the heart of the beautiful riverside market town of Bewdley. Take a look back in time into the history of this Georgian town and the surrounding Wyre Forest Area. ‘Visitors can enjoy visual craft demonstrations; audio histories; hands on activities; imaginatively displayed artefacts; tactile displays and a sensory herb garden with water feature. You can even find out what it was like to be locked up in our town jails!’ With the Garden Kitchen Cafe and the Garden Bar you can even enjoy lunch or a treat during your visit.
Tudor House Museum has family-friendly events and activities. You will find this lovely museum on Friar street, it’s open Wednesday – Saturday.
The Infirmary Museum Castle Street has some interactive exhibits for children to enjoy – and its close to some other free to enter attractions listed here too.
The Hive on Sawmill Walk has loads going on – join in with the summer reading challenge or some arts and crafts activities.
There are some free trails the family can enjoy:
Wild about Worcester Way covers 15 wild spaces and 73 carved images over a 12 mile circular route
Great Waddle of Worcester takes place between 22nd July – 15th September 2024. Can you find all 40 large and 40 small penguins? The route covers almost 5 miles. There is a trail map and trail app.
