Take in the greenery in and around this medieval county town.
In the heart of the West Midlands, Worcester is celebrated for its lovely Tudor architecture and its gorgeous Norman and Gothic cathedral. Popular attractions include the Tudor House Museum, which brings the 16th century back to life, and the Worcester City Art Gallery & Museum to take in exhibits on topics ranging from military history to Worcester sauce. There are also plenty of lovely green spaces within city limits, including Gheluvelt Park, the Perry Wood Local Nature Reserve and the Ronkswood Hill Meadows Local Nature Reserve. If you want to camp, there are plenty of options right outside the city, from rural glampsites to meadows where you can pitch your own tent.
A short drive south from Worcester will take you to the Malvern Hills, an unsurprisingly hilly landscape full of woodlands, parklands, and farms. The region is best known for its natural spring water, which is bottled at the Holy Well to this day. Popular activities include walking, cycling, and collecting spring water, and there are several camping options across the region.
On the border with Wales, surrounding the River Wye, the Wye Valley AONB offers plenty to do on land and on the water. If you come during the warmer months, you’re sure to see people kayaking and canoeing on the river. It’s also a great place for walking, with a mix of woodlands and farms. Keep an eye out for old drystone walls, a holdover from the 18th and 19th century, when the Enclosure Act led landowners to put up fences and hedgerows around their plots.
Drive northeast on the A49 for about an hour or so and you’ll find yourself in the Shropshire Hills which extends all the way to the border with Wales. Its hilly terrain makes it popular among walkers and cyclists who want to add a bit of a challenge to their outdoor pursuits. The Shropshire Hills are also among the least populated parts of the country, with plenty of quiet places to camp.
The best time to visit Worcester and the surrounding areas is in the summer, when the weather is at its most pleasant. During the second half of August, the annual Worcester festival features all sorts of events, from concerts to art workshops for kids. Spring and autumn are both viable alternatives, but if you plan to camp, be prepared for chilly evenings. Rain is a possibility throughout the year.