Worcestershire

Worcestershire is a county of cathedral cities, riverside towns and quiet villages beneath the Malvern Hills. Worcester itself makes an obvious base, its cathedral and Severn-side streets busy with visitors, while Evesham and Stourport-on-Severn offer their own waterside appeal, the latter known for its historic canal basins and old-fashioned riverside charm. Bewdley, with its Georgian frontages above the Severn, suits those wanting a smaller, more leisurely stopping point.

Malvern and Broadway draw visitors keen on gentle walking and well-kept high streets, the former set against its dramatic hills, the latter a well-known Cotswold-edge village of honey-coloured stone. For quieter exploring, Welland, Birtsmorton, Castlemorton and Knighton-on-Teme offer scattered rural charm, while Hawford and St Michaels remain low-key spots best suited to those seeking a peaceful, unhurried corner of the county.

Worcestershire's places to stay range from timber-framed guest houses in the Cotswold-edged village of Broadway to city-centre hotels in Worcester, with plenty of farmhouse and cottage B&Bs scattered through the Vale of Evesham and around Pershore. Broadway in particular draws visitors wanting a smart base for walking the surrounding hills, and its guest houses and small hotels reflect that, often set in period buildings along or just off the high street.

Elsewhere the choice is more rural, with working farms such as Lowerfield Farm and Huntlands Farm offering bed and breakfast alongside converted barns and cottages like SmallBrook Cottage. Worcester itself suits those wanting easy access to the cathedral and river, while Pershore and the surrounding villages make a quieter alternative for touring the county's orchards and market towns.

Worcestershire's mix of riverside towns, orchard country and market villages makes for a varied list of days out, from horse riding centres near Tenbury Wells to axe throwing and gaming venues in the bigger towns. Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn lean towards outdoor and family activities, given their setting on the Severn, while Worcester and Kidderminster offer more of the indoor, all-weather options.

Families with younger children tend to head for soft play and craft-based venues such as Little Olive's Play Cafe or Honeybourne Pottery, while those after something more active might look at Grafton Farm Riding Centre or Country Treks Equestrian Centre. Malvern and Redditch add further choice, with smaller, independent attractions that reward a bit of exploring rather than a single big-name draw.

Worcestershire's dining scene ranges from riverside pubs along the Severn in Worcester to farm cafes and nursery restaurants scattered through the surrounding countryside. Market towns tend to cluster a good mix of independent kitchens, garden centre stops like Rowberry's Restaurant At Rowberry Nurseries, and takeaways covering everything from Golden Dragon's Chinese menu to the pizzas and shawarma of Beautiful Margherita -Holy Pepperoni - The Biriyani Club - Shawarma Lords.

Away from the centres, expect village pubs, tearooms and fishery cafes such as Woodland View Fishery, useful for a slower lunch away from the main roads. For something quick, Big Batties Patties and Julie's Cafe suit an easy stop, while Cafe Mews/ With Love and Bakes & Cakes cover coffee and cake. With so many options spread across the county, it's worth deciding whether you want a proper sit-down meal or a casual bite before picking a direction.

Worcestershire's mix of riverside, orchard and Cotswold-edge countryside makes it well suited to camping and glamping, and the choice runs from simple grassy pitches to shepherd's huts and lakeside cabins. Around Evesham and Broadway, sites such as Orchard Blossom and Knotted Roots Orchard sit among the fruit-growing land that gives the Vale of Evesham its character, while the Cotswold fringes bring a quieter, more pastoral setting at places like Cotswold Nights Away.

Further west, Bewdley and Tenbury Wells offer wooded and riverside spots, with Caspian Wood Lakeside Glamping and Hop Pickers Rural Retreats reflecting the area's hop-growing and forest heritage. Worcester itself makes a useful base for those wanting easy access to the city alongside a night or two under canvas.

For something more sheltered, Brambles Glamping, Manor Meadow Glamping and Elgar's Shepherd's Huts show the range of glamping options now on offer, from family-friendly fields to more secluded huts. With 112 sites across the county, it's worth deciding whether you want to be near a town, a river or open farmland before booking.

Worcestershire's self-catering cottages tend to suit those wanting a base in the north of the county, within reach of both the Malverns and the edges of Birmingham. Bromsgrove is the anchor point here, with Fenn House, Housmans Cartshed and Oakdale Lodge all offering their own take on rural independence, from converted farm buildings to standalone lodges.

Choosing between them comes down to what sort of stay you want: a cartshed conversion has a different feel to a lodge set apart from the main house. All make sensible bases for exploring the Worcestershire countryside and the Clent Hills at your own pace, with the freedom to cook, come and go, and settle in properly rather than living out of a suitcase.