Worcestershire, Visit, Explore, Discover & Experience

Big Wild Walk

Get your boots on for beavers! It’s time to walk for wildlife and show you care about the nature and climate crisis with The Wildlife Trusts’ Big Wild Walk, 25 October to 31 October.

The Wildlife Trusts are asking nature-lovers to fundraise to help raise vital money for their 30 by 30 mission that will restore at least 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030. The choice is yours to take on one of three challenges:

• Walk 30km over the Big Wild Walk week
• Walk 30km in three days
• Walk 30km in one day

If you’d prefer to create your own challenge, that’s okay! You could invite the family to join in, set up a remote relay with friends or take the challenge yourself. Indoors or outdoors, front room, park or wood, treadmill or track – the choice is yours.

Kids At The Court

This has been a tough year for us all but especially for children, some of whom are finding it difficult getting back into a routine.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of half term week [26,27,28] they can destress, relax and have fun at Barton Court.

They will learn to control their movements with an introduction to kickboxing. This is not about beating each other up but rather channeling energy with grace and precision to protect rather than attack. Jo Corbett will take them through the principles.

Also on the agenda is yoga which gives them the opportunity to relax and let go of any irritations. Our teacher, Portia Mead, specialises in oxygen awareness. Essentially, this means learning to breath properly. Sounds simple but we don’t sing or run or exert ourselves much any more so our lungs do not get the work out they need. Deep breathing expels toxins and refreshes the entire body which, in turns, helps to stave off illness.

In the afternoon, we will be outdoors building dens, mixing up mid pies, toasting marshmallows, treasure hunting and laughing.

The day starts at 9.30am with pick up at 3.30pm. We provide drinks and fruit snacks but ask you to send your kids with packed lunches.

Tom Heap – 39 Ways To Save The Planet

An evening about climate change to put a smile on your face. Tom Heap – BBC Countryfile, Costing the Earth – talks about the inspiring people delivering solutions to global warming.

There are so many ways to cut carbon emissions – some proven and others growing promising but craving uptake. Adopt all the 39 Ways and we can save the planet without breaking the bank or sending us back to the stone age.

Ghost Trains

Dare to take a thrilling ride in the dark through our haunted stations on the ghost trains!

Are you brave enough to climb aboard the Ghost Train? Arrive at Kidderminster Station before making your way along the dark platform to find your reserved seats.

Once aboard the train, hold on tight as the train roars away, passing through haunted stations – who knows what lurks around the next bend!?

For the bravest children that survive the spooks and scares, free Halloween goodie bags will be handed out.

The train ride lasts approximately 75 minutes. Departures available at 5.30pm, 6.20pm, 7.10pm and 8.00pm.

Scream Trains

Dare to board the Scream Train? When you’re steaming down the train, there’s no turning back…

Can you handle the Scream Train? Arrive at Kidderminster Station early for drinks and food on fright night!

Once aboard the train and locked in, you’ll be trapped in your compartment as the lights go-out. Who knows what is lurking in the corridors?

Will you make it back to Kidderminster?

Train ride lasts approximately 75 minutes. Departures available at 8.50pm.

The Elgar Festival

The Elgar Festival is an annual celebration of the life and music of Worcester’s most famous son and Britain’s great composer, Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934).

Set in and around the composer’s home city, the event comprises orchestral concerts given by the resident English Symphony Orchestra, as well as guest artists, alongside guided ‘Elgar Tours’, workshops, street performances, exhibits and talks.

Embodying the ethos ‘Elgar for Everyone’, the Festival engages with those of all ages and backgrounds in music and legacy at a number of integral venues of both historic interest and personal significance to the composer, including Worcester Cathedral and the Guildhall.

Halloween Gin Trains

All aboard The Halloween Gin Trains! Join us for the ultimate vintage day out, as you sit back, relax and enjoy a summer-themed gin train, hosted by The Little Gin Company on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the summer.

With a themed tasting menu, each gin is accompanied with a hand-selected mixer, garnishes and tasting notes.

• Friday 29th October and Saturday 30th October, departing at 2.15pm from Kidderminster

The 2.15pm trains run from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth and return, lasting approximately three hours with a break at Bridgnorth.

• Friday 29th October and Saturday 30th October, departing at 6.20pm from Kidderminster

The 6.20pm Gin Trains take place on the Ghost Trains from Kidderminster to Arley and return, lasting approximately 75 minutes.

Your experience includes:

• One round trip from Kidderminster .
• Reserved first class table in carriage LNER 7960 built in 1936
• Welcome cocktail to get the tasting session started
• Tasting sequence of four artisan gins (served neat or as mini G&Ts)
• Enjoy your favourite gin from the tasting sequence as a full G&T with premium tonic and garnish.
• Experts from The Little Gin Company hosting

Is there anything better than gin and tonic on a vintage train? Let the fun be-gin!

Petty Criminals – Tribute To Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

A Petty Criminals show is an unforgettable tribute and musical journey through the life and works of one of the greatest and much-missed rock stars of our time – Tom Petty, and his legendary band The Heartbreakers.

Petty Criminals make every effort to authentically recreate the sound and stage show of a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers concert, including using authentic equipment, similar to that used by The Heartbreakers, including Rickenbacker guitars, Fender valve amplifiers and a Hammond organ.

When Tom Petty died on 4th October 2017, just a couple of weeks before his 67th birthday, the world lost one of the greatest songwriters and performers of both the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. With his legendary backing band, The Heartbreakers, as well as The Traveling Wilburys and Stevie Nicks, he recorded numerous enduring rock classics during a 40-year career. Although Tom Petty is no longer with us, the UK and Europe’s top Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers tribute band, Petty Criminals, are keeping the music alive and performing his great songs in theatres and clubs to great reviews.

Craft Fair

Our crafts & gifts fair is situated at the beautiful Guildhall in the centre of the city on the High street. We have 26 tables with a variety of gifts & crafts.

Malvern Antiques & Collectors Fair

An industry stalwart – discover quality antique and collectable items at the Malvern Antique & Collectors Fair.

Our antiques & collectors market in Malvern has long been an industry favourite. High quality goods are brought together in a single hall at the Three Counties Showground. Up to 150 exhibitors offer their wares for sale.

With ceramics, glass, art, books, decorative items, art deco, jewellery and more, visitors can expect an excellent choice and a high standard of products for sale.

Ed Byrne: If I’m Honest

TV favourite Ed Byrne is finally back on the road with his biggest tour to date!

Join one of the UK’s finest observational comics as he takes a long hard look at himself and tries to decide if he has ANY traits that are worth passing on to his children.

A TV household name, Ed has been seen on pretty much every TV programme in the UK including Mock The Week, Top Gear, Have I Got News For You, The Graham Norton Show, Live At The Apollo (Host), The One Show, The World’s Most Dangerous Roads, Dara & Ed’s Big Adventure, Dara and Ed’s Road to Mandalay and most recently QI and The Pilgrimage.

Winter Glow

Festive fun at Three Counties Showground brought to you by Winter Glow.

Four amazing festive experiences in one central location.

Immerse yourself in all things seasonal, with an impressive line-up of activities and excitement on offer in Malvern this winter. Choose from daytime entertainment and extra special experiences, through to night-time fun, with a newly themed winter light trail.

Festive food quarter and free parking.

Skate along on the one of the region’s largest real ice rinks and take a break with a steaming hot chocolate or grab a light lunch from the indoor Ice Cafe. Then head on out on the sparkling new light trail, as it winds across the showground, with giant illuminations under the stars. Thrill seekers can also soar upwards, to see the Malvern skyline like never before on the giant Observation Wheel!

Families will enjoy a magical trip on our very own Arctic Express train, which will transport you from our main gate station for a traditional and personalised visit to see the big man himself. Meet Santa Claus in Father Christmas’s cosy cabin, surrounded by his friendly elves, who have been busy making presents and gifts for all the visiting children and don’t forget to taste one of Mrs Claus’ freshly baked cookies as you leave.

Winter Glow is a festive celebration, which starts in mid-November with the opening of the Ice Rink, followed by the Illuminated Light Trail, alongside Malvern’s first giant Observation Wheel and finally personalised Santa Experiences running throughout December. With a magical mix of festive fun, the countdown to Christmas has begun!

Tickets are strictly limited and advance booking is essential.

Toy & Train Collectors Fair

Visit the Toy & Train Collectors Fair in Malvern.

180 stalls selling 1000’s of collectible toys and trains, boats and planes as well as cars and trucks.

Dealers from all over the UK in attendance.

10.30am to 2.30pm Entry £4 per person.

Early Bird from 8.30am is £12 per person.

Carol Trains

Strike up the band for a musical Christmas adventure, as you travel from Kidderminster to Highley to see a festive concert. With two acts per night, including bands, choirs, instrumentalists and much more, this is the perfect way to step into Christmas.

Depart Kidderminster at 7pm for a journey to Highley and The Engine House. Once at The Engine House, you’ll receive a complimentary glass of mulled wine before having two hours to see both acts, explore our fantastic Visitor Centre and get some other refreshments.

You’ll then steam back to Kidderminster on a wintery journey with your private compartment filled with song and Christmas spirit!

Christmas Tree Festival

Join us for Christmas 2021 as we celebrate with an avenue of glittering Christmas Trees, beautifully decorated by local organisations and displayed in our atmospheric medieval Cloister daily (excluding Christmas Day). The Trees will be innovatively and individually designed and decorated by local schools, charities, businesses and organisations.

Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre

The Victorian Fayre was first started back in 1992 by traders from picturesque New Street and Friar Street. The Fayre may have grown a lot but it has stayed true to its traditional roots with plenty of Victorian themed characters, festive treats and a wonderful atmosphere. This year there will be almost 200 stalls across the city centre, selling local arts and crafts, delicious street food and gifts.

As well as a wonderful array of stalls, we are looking forward to a fantastic programme of entertainment. Look out for Victorian characters in Gin Lane, lofty entertainers on stilts, brilliant musicians on our stages and buskers on every street corner.

There really is something for everyone and we hope you have a wonderful time!

• 200 STALLS: A fabulous street market selling all sorts of delightful Christmas goodies, handmade items and much, much more. There will be many local producers so you can take home locally sourced food and drink, arts and crafts and Christmas gifts.
• TASTY TREATS: You won’t go hungry with this unrivalled street food selection! The Fayre has all your festive favourites and some tasty surprises too.
• ATMOSPHERE: The sights, smells and sounds of Christmas come alive at the Fayre! Go back in time and see how Christmas might have looked 150 years ago as Victorian characters fill the historic streets of Worcester.
• FUN OF THE FAIR: A Victorian Fayre wouldn’t be complete without a carousel and fun fair. Step aboard the Galloper to be whisked around to the sound of the traditional barrel organ.
• ENTERTAINMENT: With live music, traditional carols and school choirs on the stages and buskers on every street corner, there is plenty of entertainment at the Fayre to keep you smiling throughout the day.

Come along and see all the fun festivities for yourself, support local businesses and take part in one of the highlights of the Midlands’ festive calendar.

Gin Trains

All aboard The Gin Train! Join us for the ultimate vintage day out, as you sit back, relax and enjoy a summer-themed gin train, hosted by The Little Gin Company on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the summer.

With a themed tasting menu, each gin is accompanied with a hand-selected mixer, garnishes and tasting notes.

Your experience includes:

• One round trip from Kidderminster .
• Reserved first class table in carriage LNER 7960 built in 1936
• Welcome cocktail to get the tasting session started
• Tasting sequence of four artisan gins (served neat or as mini G&Ts)
• Enjoy your favourite gin from the tasting sequence as a full G&T with premium tonic and garnish.
• Experts from The Little Gin Company hosting

Is there anything better than gin and tonic on a vintage train? Let the fun be-gin!

Malvern Walking Festival

Malvern Walking Festival involves 9 days of themed and guided walks on and around the Malvern Hills.

This year the walks will incorporate the extra bank holiday celebrating the Jubilee, giving us six ”week end” days for the Festival instead of the usual five.

Planning is already under way. The multi-day walks will return, as will other walks involving the use of public or our own transport. Themed walks are popular and we aim to include as many as we can.

Mello Festival Platinum Jubilee Four Day Celebration

Mello Festival Platinum Jubilee Four Day Celebration is set in the beautiful Severn End Country Estate. Steeped in history is a cool family festival, niche and relaxed over four days.
Steeped in history is a cool family festival, niche and relaxed over four days.

• Music
• Dance
• Arts
• Film