17 Best Things to do In Worcester

Are you visiting Worcester? Or perhaps you live in Worcester and are looking for something unique to do.

I live just outside Worcester and have visited for many days out. It’s a wonderful city with a splendid cathedral, museums, beautiful green parks, fun attractions, shopping and lots more.

Find a comprehensive guide of things to do in Worcester and the surrounding area. Discover all the major attractions (with some local knowledge and insider tips included) as well as ideas you won’t find in any other online guides.

Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral is the number 1 thing to do in Worcester on Trip Advisor. Entry to the cathedral is free.

The present building was begun in 1084. There are examples of every type of early English architecture, a beautiful Norman Crypt, medieval Cloister, magnificent Victorian stained glass, Royal Tombs and early 12th Century round Chapter House. The stain glass windows, stone carving and roof are amazing to see.

The Cathedral has links to King John and he is buried in a place of honor in front of the high alter.

The Cathedral has numerous events throughout the year which have included light shows, a Christmas tree festival, music events, exhibitions and lots more. It’s worth checking their website to see what’s on when you visit.

In non covid times you can climb the tower at Worcester cathedral. If you get the chance and don’t mind a narrow winding staircases and heights, it’s well worth the challenge. There’s 235 steps to the top and the views once there are amazing. Check out when the tower might reopen after covid times. There is an extra cost to climb the tower (of around £5) when it is open.

For kids : For children, there are often crafts, fun and games during the school holidays and at other times throughout the year. There are trails kids can follow through the cathedral including smart phone trails and sometimes there are exhibitions aimed at children.

Worcester Cathedral website

Greyfriar’s House and Gardens

Greyfriar’s house and gardens is a National Trust property that offers guided tours on Fridays and Saturdays.You can visit the ground floor, garden and book shop between Tuesday and Saturday. Check the website before you go to make sure these details are up to date!

Go on a guided tour on a Friday and Saturday and experience the history from 1485 when this medieval merchant’s house was first built.

Greyfriars House and Gardens

Learn about the English Civil War at The Commandery

Photo by Ben Sutherland / Flickr

The Commandery is famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651.

It’s an excellent place to learn about the history of Worcester, with information panels and exhibits about the English Civil War. To get the most out of your visit, go on a day where there are events happening. The full list of events includes re-enactment days, rifle displays and medieval dancing. They also have an annual ghost tour evening around Halloween time.

I took my kids one day during the summer holidays when they were holding science experiment shows in the garden. My boys loved it! Having said this, it’s probably not the best attraction for kids when there are no events taking place unless they have a strong interest in history.

Find out more at The Commandry

Gheluvelt Park

Gheluvelt park is a memorial park in honour of those who lost their lives in the First World War.

There is a beautiful well kept maintained park to the west with a playground, splash pad and pond where you can feed the ducks.  You can book to play tennis on one of the courts. There’s an outdoor gym and outdoor table tennis (which is free to use – but you need to bring your own bats and balls. There’s also a bandstand with performances during the summer months.

To the east of the park, there is a wildlife conservation area. Here you can find the pump environment cafe which is great to stop off for refreshments.

Parking is on the nearby streets or there is a small car park on Waterworks Road. There is also disabled parking at the Pump House Environment Centre.

Find out more at Gheluvelt Park. 

Go Back in Time at The Tudor House Museum

The free Tudor House Museum is open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday all year round. It’s run by volunteers who do an amazing job. You can donate to help the museum keep going.

The museum is a small hidden gem with themed rooms to explore that span different time periods. Each room remembers a specific era from the past with museum displays and sometimes with characters in period costume.

Situated in Worcester’s oldest street, the 16th century dwelling started out as home to Tudor weavers. In the 1700s the building was a tavern, and then was a Victorian coffee house owned by Richard Cadbury, founder of the Cadbury chocolate brand.

In the Second World War, the house was an ARP (Air Raid Precautions) warden’s office and then a school clinic.

If you have younger kids, there’s a trail for children and dressing up activities to keep them happy. Additionally, there are events happening throughout the year, so it’s worth checking the website to see what’s going on when you want to visit. There’s also a tea room which serves a lovely pot of tea and very nice coffee.

Check out the Tudor House Museum website.

Play Games at Retroids Arcade Bar

(Picture of my teenage son playing pacman!)

This little bar in Worcester is a fantastic place to pass an hour.

There are many retro games to try out. They swap around the games but when we were there, we enjoyed Mario Kart, Pacman, Track and Field and a shooting game.

Adults who remember playing these games when they were younger will also enjoy the nostalgia of the past.

The games are 50p or a £1 a go. You can get change there.

Find out more at Retroids Arcade Bar

Get Lost in Worcester Maize Maze

The Worcester Maize Maze is situated in Powick and is open every summer.

I took my 14 and 10 year old in summer 2021. There were 3 different mazes to explore and the theme for this year was Vikings.

The mazes have questions that you find and answer as you work your way through. I wasn’t sure whether this attraction would be a hit or miss with my kids. I was wondering if my teen might find the mazes a bit young. However, all 3 of us thoroughly enjoyed finding the questions and working our way through the maze.

I let my 14 year old navigate through using the map. There were families with younger and older kids as well as couples who were working there way through the mazes too. It’s a good attraction for all ages.

There’s a cafe serving burgers, hot dogs, drinks and treats which was very reasonably priced. After some refreshments we tackled another maze before going home.

You could easily spend 3 hours here if you try all 3 mazes. It’s a great day out.

The maize is normally open towards the middle of July for the school summer holidays. After the kids go back to school you can still visit on weekends in September and October, but check the website before you go to double check it’s open.

Find out more at worcestermaze.com 

Plan Your Escape at CyberQ Escape Rooms

The CyberQ escape rooms is a fantastic option for a rainy day in  Worcester.

They have some fantastic themed games which  include The Virus Man, Crazy Scientist, Operation Deluge, Alice in Worcesterland, Mysterious Castle and Kings Never Die.

The games last 60 minutes and are for 2 to 6 players.

Check out the CyberQ website for more information and to book.

Challenge Friends and Family to a Round at Jungle Safari Golf

Jungle Safari Golf is an 18 hole crazy golf course (outdoor activity) that’s open all year round. What I love about this activity is  whole generations of the same family can enjoy it. In fact, when we went there were various types of groups including grandparents with their grandchildren, families and a group of teens doing the course without any adults. (Children under 14 years old need to be accompanied by an adult).

I took my 14 year old and 10 year old one fairly chilly August day and we had lots of fun. Each hole is different and there is lots of jungle scenery to admire as you meander around.

The game card we were given clearly laid out the rules, so there was no arguing about how we would play.

The game itself took about an hour and 10 minutes. My teenager delighted in beating us all!

There is bar (the Watering Hole) where you can get a bite to eat or a drink after your round.

Jungle Safari Golf is based at Ravensmeadow Golf Centre. There are also other activities that teenagers might also enjoy including footgolf and pitch ‘n’ putt.

Find out more at Jungle Safari Adventure Golf

Museum of Royal Worcester

Photo: Elliott Brown/Flickr

The Museum of Royal Worcester holds the largest collection of Worcester porcelain in the world.

Discover some of the earliest porcelain made in Britain dating from 1751 and see how tastes and habits changed from Georgian to Victorian times and into the 20th Century with wartime and the invention of oven-to-tableware.

There’s a free audio tour to give you more insight into the collections. Interactive exhibits and family trails make the museum come to live for kids.

The museum often holds events which include pottery painting for children. Check out their website to find out more.

Throw Some Axes In Worcester City Centre

Not visited this one yet, but found it while researching for this article and this is now on my list to do with my teen.

Based in the centre of Worcester, this attraction is great for everybody aged 10 and over.

Never thrown an axe before? Don’t worry (I mean who has?). They’ll be an instructor to show you the ropes so you can start axe throwing in no time.

Find out more at AxeJunkies.co.uk

Explore the fantastic (and sometimes gory) George Marshall Medical Collection.

The George Marshall Medical museum is small museum but it’s free and the gory side is interesting to teenagers.

The Museum exhibits Mr. George Marshall’s fantastic collection of objects illustrating the way that medicine and health care have developed over the past 250 years. Visitors to the Museum will see the gory collection of death masks of hanged criminals, the reconstructed apothecary shop and Victorian operating theatre. Although most history doesn’t appeal much to my teenager, the goriness of this one seemed attracted his attention and kept him engaged.

Picture below is of my husband at the apothecary shop (not sure what he’s pointing out there!).

It’s based at Royal Worcester hospital. It’s not far for Worcester Woods Country Park so it’s nice to combine a trip to both.

Find out more at George Marshall Museum.

Worcester Woods Country Park

Worcester Woods Country Park is a fantastic destination for all ages.

There are marked trails you can follow through the woods and the meadows which are around 0.5 miles each – ideal for a family walk A large field provides the perfect space for games of rounders, cricket or football as well as a picnic. There are two playgrounds for kids from (babies up to around 10 or 11 years old). Bouncy castles, crazy golf and a train are often permanent fixtures during the finer weather.

The Orchard Cafe provides refreshments including breakfast, lunch, cakes and other snacks. Ice creams are a favourite in the summer months. During the school holidays there are often events, activities and crafts that children can participate in which are hosted by the cafe.

Find out more at Worcester Woods Country Park. 

Try out an Inflatable Obstacle Course at The Buzz

The Buzz is a new attraction in Worcester which we haven’t had a change to visit yet – but it’s on the list!

It’s an inflatable obstacle course which isn’t just for kids. Teens and adults can have a go now. In fact if your teenager is over 16 years of age they can join in an adult’s only session.

It’s a great visit for families, as everybody can get on at the same time. Perfect for blasting away some energy on a rainy or wintery day.

Find out more at The Buzz. 

Embark on the Historic Ghost Walk of Worcester

A guide will take you on a journey through Worcester to show you an eerie side to the city that you won’t hear anywhere else. Go through gates and doors that are normally locked an bolted to learn of ghostly experiences and historical facts in a tour of one of the most haunted cities in the UK.

The tour has entry to some of Worcester’s most iconic buildings. They walks start on Elgar Statue, Cathedral Square and last just under 2 hours. The recommended age is 11 plus.

You can book tickets in advance on eventbrite.

Worcester Art Gallery and Museum

Entry to Worcester Art Gallery and Museum is fully accessible and free! It is home to many permanent displays including the verdant landscapes by Benjamin Williams Leader.

The Gallery has many fascinating exhibitions and bite size talks that take place throughout the year, so it’s well worth checking the website to see what is going on.

Additionally, the gallery hosts family events, activities and trails. It’s a great place to take the little ones during the school holidays. You can also enjoy some tasty treats at the Balcony cafe.

Find out more at museumsworcestershire.org.uk

Bowling

There are two bowling alleys in Worcester. It’s worth checking out their websites because they often have some good deals on especially if you visit in off peak hours.

Tenpin.co.uk

Worcesterbowl.co.uk

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