Places to visit in Worcestershire
Worcestershire is packed with fantastic family days out, from animal adventures and heritage attractions to outdoor play areas and magical gardens. Whether you’re looking for a school holiday activity, a weekend adventure or somewhere to explore outdoors, here are some of our favourite places to visit in Worcestershire with kids.
Near the Wyre Forest:
West Midlands Safari Park
West Midlands Safari Park is a fantastic family day out, offering adventure, animals and attractions all in one place. Begin your visit (or end, you can do it in any order) with the four-mile Safari drive, where you can get up close to incredible animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, elephants and cheetahs.
Continue your adventure on foot around the Safari Walk, where there’s even more to discover. Meet colourful rainbow lorikeets in Lorikeet Landing, watch playful penguins, discover fascinating creatures in Reptile World and Creepy Crawlies, and explore the Discovery Trail with its amazing collection of animals including red pandas, marmosets and bats. Don’t miss the daily animal talks and encounters, including the chance to see the impressive sea lions in action.
Travel back in time in the Land of the Living Dinosaurs and step into the Ice Age to see amazing prehistoric creatures brought to life. Little ones can also enjoy the Explorers play park area, and all the family can enjoy the Theme Park rides (open seasonally).
There are also plenty of opportunities to make your visit extra special with animal experiences and feeding opportunities, where you can get closer than ever to some of the park’s amazing residents. With seasonal events, exciting attractions and something for all ages, West Midlands Safari Park is a must-visit family day out in Worcestershire.
The Wyre Forest is a wonderful place for a family adventure, with free entry and miles of woodland to explore. (Please note: car parking charges apply.) Whether you fancy a gentle woodland walk, a family cycle ride, a picnic amongst the trees or simply letting the children burn off some energy in the play area, there’s something for everyone here.
Throughout the year, families can enjoy seasonal activity trails through the forest, bringing much-loved children’s stories and characters to life. Previous trails have included favourites such as The Gruffalo and Superworm, while the current family trail invites little explorers to follow a magical Room on the Broom adventure, completing activities and discovering more about the woodland along the way.
For adventurous families, Go Ape offers a thrilling treetop experience, with rope bridges, zip wires and challenges high amongst the trees. There are also opportunities for horse riding, with waymarked routes through the forest, plus accessible facilities including all-terrain mobility scooter hire for visitors with limited mobility.
With a café, play areas, walking trails and plenty of space to explore, Wyre Forest is a brilliant outdoor day out for families in all seasons.
Arley Arboretum
Arley Arboretum is a lovely place for a family day out, with acres of beautiful woodland, gardens and open spaces to explore.
Children can often follow seasonal trails and search for hidden surprises during school holidays, and discover the many fascinating corners of this beautiful setting.
There’s plenty to keep little adventurers entertained, including a playground, maze and slacklines.
Take a stroll through the stunning grounds, enjoy the views across the Severn Valley and keep an eye out for wildlife and steam trains along the way. Families are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds, or you can stop for a drink or bite to eat at the on-site café.
With nature, adventure and plenty of opportunities for exploring, Arley Arboretum is a wonderful day out for families in Worcestershire.
Bodenham Arboretum
Described as ‘Worcestershire’s Hidden Garden’, Bodenham Arboretum is a beautiful family day out with 170 acres of woodland, lakes and landscaped gardens to explore. Home to over 3,000 species of trees and shrubs, every season brings something new to discover, from spring flowers and autumn colours to peaceful woodland walks and wildlife spotting.
Children will love exploring the natural surroundings, discovering the bridges and islands, meeting the farm animals and taking part in the many family activities held throughout the year. During school holidays there is always lots going on, with previous events including themed trails, craft sessions, cooking activities, forest school adventures, Animal Man visits, circus skills workshops and other exciting activities for children.
After exploring, families can enjoy refreshments in the café or restaurant, with homemade cakes, light bites and meals available. Bodenham also hosts a range of special dining events throughout the year, including themed evenings and seasonal experiences. Their food includes locally sourced ingredients and home-reared meat from the working farm.
With woodland walks, wildlife, seasonal events and plenty to keep children entertained, Bodenham Arboretum is a lovely place to enjoy a relaxed family day out in Worcestershire.
Playland, Stourport
Playland Fun Park is a family-friendly attraction located on the banks of the River Severn in Stourport-on-Severn. Entry is free; simply buy tokens and choose the rides and attractions you want to enjoy. Tokens are just £1 each, with many attractions costing just one token, making it easy to enjoy a fun-filled day out to suit your budget. Children can enjoy a range of rides and activities including go-karts, bumper boats, bouncy castles, Safari Train, Dino Tours, crazy golf and more.
Make a full day of your visit by exploring everything Stourport has to offer. Just a short walk away you’ll find the riverside, boat trips, a paddling pool, skate park and play areas, as well as the town centre with its shops, cafés and places to stop for refreshments. There is also plenty of car parking nearby.
Severn Valley Railway
The Severn Valley Railway is a 16-mile heritage railway running through the beautiful Worcestershire and Shropshire countryside. Families can enjoy regular steam and diesel train services, take in the stunning views, and hop on and off along the route to explore interesting places along the way. Don’t forget to visit The Engine House at Highley, home to the railway’s fascinating collection of full-size locomotives and railway exhibits.
Throughout the year, the Severn Valley Railway hosts a fantastic programme of family-friendly events, with something exciting happening in every season. From character visits and themed train journeys to special celebrations such as Halloween and Christmas experiences, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a memorable trip by rail. The Engine House also hosts family activities, exhibitions and events, making it a great place to explore mid train journey.
Mini Pro Golf
Located in a beautiful riverside setting in Wolverley, Mini Pro Golf offers a unique family golfing experience that’s fun for all ages. Unlike traditional crazy golf, this 18-hole course is set on real grass, with manicured greens, bunkers, fairways and fun obstacles to navigate along the way. Whether you’re a keen golfer or picking up a club for the first time, everyone can enjoy a relaxed game together.
Children and adults alike will love making their way around the course, tackling challenges and discovering the fun features along the holes. With clubs and equipment provided, no previous experience is needed, making it a great outdoor activity for families, friends and grandparents to enjoy together. After your game, relax by the riverside clubhouse and enjoy refreshments while you celebrate your best shots (and laugh at the trickier ones!).
Bewdley Museum
Bewdley Museum is situated in the heart of the picturesque riverside town of Bewdley. Discover the town’s fascinating history through exhibitions, displays and historic buildings, with regular events, craft activities and family-friendly activities taking place throughout the year. After exploring the museum, enjoy the gardens, browse the gift shop or stop for refreshments at the on-site café.
Make a day of your visit and explore Bewdley itself – a charming riverside town with independent shops, cafés, places to eat and plenty of lovely spots to enjoy a stroll along the River Severn. Families can discover the nearby Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens, and find the local play area, making it a great place for children to let off some steam. With its beautiful setting, friendly atmosphere and plenty to explore, Bewdley is a lovely family day out destination in Worcestershire.
Near Worcester:
Little Owl Farm Park – Explore & Tour
This family run business is a little gem, tucked away near Hartlebury in Worcestershire. It’s a family run farm attraction, open Tuesdays – Fridays during term time and each day during the school holidays. Enjoy children’s trails, animal demonstrations and petting opportunities, as well as go-karting and sheepstakes.
Hartlebury Castle
Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle offers lots of great activities for children, especially throughout the school holidays. The museum also holds a fantastic programme of special events and family activity days throughout the year.
From costume to caravans, travel to toys there really is something for everyone at Worcestershire County Museum. Learn more about this fascinating county, explore the past through room sets and real historical objects and discover just what life was like for our ancestors. A nature reserve, fabulous cafe and well stocked gift shop all add up to a great day out.
Whitlenge Gardens
As well as a garden centre, there is a wonderful 3 acre garden suitable for all ages to explore and enjoy a family day out.
There is a Fairy trail to follow through the garden searching for fairies and fairy doors. Within the gardens you can ‘meet’ The Green Man, the Rusted Knight of Olde, see Excalibur in its Stone, then wander through the ‘Fairy Glen to find ‘Hobbiton’.
Stroll through the mown tracks and pathways of the beautiful wild flower meadow then head over to the wildlife area which is open on special days throughout the year for pond dipping and educational days. Seasonal Garden Hunts run throughout the year with different themes. Tearooms on site.
The Commandery
Encounter the past brought to life in a beautiful building with an 800-year history. Set in the heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651.
Discover Worcester’s Civil War Story, an interactive experience that will take you back over 350 years into a murky, conflicted 17th century Worcester of fiery debates. Experience life as a soldier 300 miles from home, test your skills at battle strategy and come face-to-face with Oliver Cromwell.
The Commandery is the perfect place for a family day out – get to know your fearsome weapons, get stuck into historic displays or become a Commandery explorer in the gardens.
Near Bromsgrove:
Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings is an award-winning open-air museum spanning 700 years of life in the West Midlands. Set in a stunning rural location, Avoncroft has over 30 exhibits including domestic, commercial, ecclesiastical and agricultural buildings which have been rescued, restored and reconstructed on the site. The site is also home to the UK’s National Telephone Kiosk Collection (including a rare blue police phone box) and a miniature railway.
They have a lively and varied programme of events during the school holidays including historical re-enactments, traditional celebrations, activity days and cultural events
Forge Mill Museum & Bordesley Abbey
This museum tells the fascinating and sometimes gruesome story of needle making in Victorian times. The Mill is a listed building which houses original water powered machinery. Models and recreated scenes and an audio trail provide a vivid illustration of how needles were once made, and how Redditch came to dominate the world needle trade.
On the same site, just a very short walk from Forge Mill Museum, are the ruins of Bordesley Abbey – a medieval Cistercian Abbey which has been extensively excavated. Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre, which is set in an original reconstructed 16th century barn, tells the extraordinary story of the Abbey from its development in the 12th century.
Near Hereford:
Eastnor Castle
Eastnor Castle lies in Herefordshire at the foot of the Malvern Hills on the edge of the Cotswolds.
Surrounded by a beautiful deer park, arboretum, and lake, Eastnor Castle is the home of the Hervey-Bathurst family. They regularly hold family activities during the school holidays and children are made very welcome around the castle (even dogs on a lead are welcome).
Newbridge Farm Park
A lovely farm park with an adventure playground, zip wire, giant sandpits, hay bale barn, swings and even a fast bumpy tractor ride. They also hold a range of fun events during the holidays.
Oaker Wood
Discover adventure in this idyllic woodland setting, with paintballing, quad trekking, raft building, high ropes, low ropes assault course, clay pigeon shooting, target shooting, it’s a knockout, and more. There may be too much to fit in a day, but that’s not a problem, as on site glamping is also available.
What’s your family’s favourite place to visit in Worcestershire? Let us know!
