Things to do in Worcester District

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Warwickshire

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Stratford-upon-Avon, 180km west of London, is where the playwright Shakespeare was born and died. Shakespeare's Birthplace (also known as Shakespeare's House) is located on the north side of Henry Street in the town. It is a two-storey residence with a loft. It has a quaint half-timbered structure, a sloped tile roof, an exterior wall of primary earth color, and windows that protrude outside the wall. And the portico make this 16th century old house special among the surrounding buildings. It is now a popular attraction in the UK and is visited by many tourists. Walking into this old house, you will see furniture that is completely in accordance with Shakespeare's life, and the walls are decorated with exquisite paintings. Shakespeare was born here and spent his childhood and adolescence here. The former residence displays Shakespeare's handwriting, coins of the year, IOUs from friends who borrowed money from Shakespeare and other items. The cradle where he slept as a child can be seen in the bedroom where he was born. The house also houses a workshop by Shakespeare's father, John. When visiting, I often encounter actors performing in the house such as "Hamlet" and other bridges, which is very interesting. Behind the house is a beautiful small garden, and sometimes there are open-air theater performances. The actors' exaggerated language, expressions, and actions are exactly the style of Shakespeare's plays. Because you can only buy a combined ticket, you can also visit Hall's Croft, Nash's House & New Place, and Shakespeare's Grave after seeing Shakespeare's birthplace. These three places are relatively close to Shakespeare's birthplace, just walk there. Hall's House was the residence of Shakespeare's daughter Susannah and her husband, Dr. Hall, and was a mansion at the time. Nash's House is the home of Shakespeare's granddaughter and husband Nash. There is a new house next door that Shakespeare bought, and it is also the place where he wrote "The Tempest" and other later works and died. And Shakespeare's grave is also in the town. If you have enough time, you can also buy a five-house pass (ShakespeareFiveHousePass), you can visit two more attractions. One is Anne Hathaway's Cottage, the home of Shakespeare's wife, which is especially beautiful in the summer. The second is Mary Arden's Farm, the home of Shakespeare's mother, which is still in operation. These two places are 10-20 minutes' drive from Shakespeare's birthplace, and you can take a sightseeing bus to go there. In addition to visiting several former residences related to Shakespeare, you can also stroll around the town at will, the scenery is good, and there are Shakespeare elements everywhere. There are plenty of cafés, restaurants and souvenir shops in town, and it's nice to sit down for a coffee, a bite to eat or send a postcard.

2026 Europe 50 - Family-friendly Attractions

Cadbury World

Located in Bournville, Birmingham—the birthplace of Cadbury chocolate—Cadbury World is an immersive chocolate-themed attraction. The entire visit is self-guided, taking you through multiple themed exhibition areas where you can learn about the history of the Cadbury brand and the origins of the Bournville factory. You can also revisit decades of classic Cadbury advertisements in the Advertising Avenue area, including the widely known gorilla drumming ad. The chocolate-making area is one of the core highlights, where professional chocolatiers demonstrate the chocolate-making process on site. The exhibition area displays chocolate sculptures, including exquisite creations such as a chocolate bull, giving it a distinct Charlie and the Chocolate Factory vibe. For interactive experiences, you can ride a chocolate-themed tour car through fantastical scenes and watch a 4D chocolate adventure movie. There are multiple chocolate tasting stops along the way, allowing visitors to eat as they walk; in the chocolate tasting area, you can also dip your favorite snacks into a pot of warm melted Cadbury milk chocolate and enjoy them with various toppings. This place is especially suitable for bringing children, as there is also an outdoor African adventure play area for kids to climb and play. At the end of your visit, don't forget to browse the sizable Cadbury souvenir shop.

Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral was founded in 1084 and has served as a place of Christian worship and prayer ever since. Its grand and magnificent architecture, featuring painted stained glass, exquisite sculptures, and a spacious, well-kept nave, is truly impressive.

Escape Hunt Worcester

Worcester Woods Country Park

National Trust - Croome

DiscoBowl Worcester

Gheluvelt Park

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Worcestershire

West Midlands Safari Park

West Midlands Safari Park is a park that combines wildlife viewing with family entertainment, striking a great balance between natural environments and interactive experiences. Located in the countryside of central England, it combines drive-through tours with walk-through exhibits, allowing visitors to observe wildlife up close from their vehicles while also enjoying more relaxed, interactive activities in the walking areas. Here, you can see animals from Africa and Asia, including giraffes, rhinos, lions, and tigers, as well as a diverse range of unique species such as sea lions, red pandas, and lemurs. The exhibits are diverse, including animated dinosaurs and Ice Age displays, making you feel as if you are traveling through time. Children can burn off energy on the amusement rides and themed attractions, while adults can drive through the wildlife habitats and experience the thrill of having animals right beside them. The park also incorporates educational elements, with animal feedings, commentary, and interactive sessions that allow visitors to not only see the animals but also learn about them.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

The British Museum

The British Museum's collection spans artifacts from civilizations across the world, with a total of approx. 8 million items, covering regions including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece and Rome, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. The museum has approx. 60 permanent galleries, and the items on display represent only a very small fraction of the total collection, with its ancient Egyptian, ancient Greek and Roman, and Asian collections being particularly renowned. The south facade of the main building features an Ionic colonnade, and the main entrance is topped by a sculpted pediment. Entering through the main entrance leads into the Great Court, a public space designed by Norman Foster with a white color scheme, where the massive semi-transparent glass roof ensures ample natural light even on London's overcast days. The Great Court was originally part of the British Library; after the library relocated, it was converted into a covered plaza, and the court displays authentic sculptures including a stone statue from Easter Island. The Rosetta Stone bears a decree of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh inscribed in three scripts, serving as the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian civilization and ranking among the museum's most notable exhibits. The Elgin Marbles are sculptural fragments from the Parthenon, dating back over two thousand years, and are now displayed in Room 18. The Portland Vase is renowned for its dark blue glass and white cameo relief decoration, displayed in Room 70. The Tang dynasty copy of Admonitions of the Instructress to the Court Ladies survives with nine scenes and holds significant artistic and historical value, though it is not on permanent display. The Chinese collection is concentrated in Rooms 33, 33b, and 95, arranged chronologically by dynasty with artifacts ranging from Shang and Zhou bronzes to Ming and Qing porcelain, among which the Song dynasty Cizhou ware "circus pillow" and the Yuan dynasty blue-and-white dish with fish and aquatic plant design are particularly worth a closer look. The ancient Egyptian galleries are famous for their mummy exhibits and are among the most visited areas in the museum.