Local Area & What's On

The beautiful rural counties of Worcestershire and Herefordshire have so much to offer. Take a look and see what you can do in the local area so you can plan a great day trip. If you would like some suggestions please contact us for a personalised itinerary or we can help plot some local walks on an OS map or follow our directions of local walks found in the Guest Information Book.

Hop Pickers Highlights taken from our Guest review book include the following:

Walking the Malvern Hills ANOB (and its Free!) - Walk from your doorstep in just 2 hours with only 1 main road to cross, 6 miles. Download the free walking app here

Visit The Malverns - A Breath of Fresh Air - Amazing Views, Stunning Scenery, Incredible Walks, Family Fun, Heritage and Gardens, Historic Towns, Festivals and Events, Local Food and Drink

Well Dressing - Early May
Malvern Walking Festival - Returning 27th May - 4th June 2023

Visit the Morgan Factory – a 2 hour tour which is a must for any motoring enthusiast.

Elgars Birthplace – just 10 mins down the road, now taken over by The National Trust

Malvern Theatres – There are some fantastic plays on throughout the year many of which come to Malvern before being released in the West End. Box Office: 01684 892277

Worcester Cathedral – another Free activity. Explore the cathedral yourself or take a Tour led by an experienced cathedral guide. The Tower Tour is fantastic (March-October) for the amazing view across Worcester. Towards Powick and the start of Cromwells Battle. Three Choirs Festival every 3 years books up really quickly. You can also book on to a tour to see the second largest cathedral libary in the country which holds medieval manuscripts, post-medieval books and a music collection containing works from Sir Edward Elgar and Thomas Tomkins.

If you are in to all things Organic and Eco, The Fold at Bransford holds some fantastic workshops, monthly Farmers markets, has a great café and unique shops to visit and holds a number of Festivals throughout the year.

National Trust and English Heritage – Brockhampton Court, Croome and Great Witley and less than 2 miles away Leigh Court Barn, the largest cruck barn in Europe just a few of the many properties within easy reach of Hop Pickers.

We love outdoor activities which I list below but some of the highlights are Go Karting, Severn Valley Railway, Golf – serious or pitch and putt, West Midlands Safari Park and of course the cricket and rugby in Worcester.

AND if you would like to be pampered the Zest award winning Spa ‘The Malvern ‘is just 15 minutes away or better still book our preferred mobile holistic therapist to visit you personally at Hop Pickers - Pure Thyme - Julia Haywood on 07964176747

Malvern Hills

Elgar Museum

Worcester Cathedral

Three Counties Showground

Main Events

RHS Malvern Spring Festival 11-14 May 2023
Royal Three Counties Show 16-18-June 2023
Three Counties Food & Drink Festival 29-30 July 2023
Malvern Autumn Show 22-24 September 2023

All Other Events

4x4 Land Rover & Vintage Spares Day 5th Febuary 2023
Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair 12th Febuary 2023
Malvern Antiques & Collectors Fair 5th March 2023
The Tractor World Show 11-12 March 2023
Malvern Militaria Fair 26th March 2023
Toy Collectors Fair 2nd April 2023
COUNTRYTASTIC 6th April 2023
FlyBall Championships 14-16 April 2023
National Pony Society Sping Festival 22nd April 2023
Land Rover Monthly Live 20-21 May 2023
Three Counties Championship Dog Show 8-11 June 2023
Highland Pony Show 15-16 July 2023
National Pony Society Summer Championships 1-3 August 2023
Western Moterhome and Campervan Show 18-20 August 2023

Horse Racing

The festival at Cheltenham 14-17 March 2023 with the Gold Cup on the 4th day
Worcester, Hereford and Ludlow - Some great racing throughout the Season
Knightwick Point to Point is a fun family day out. Check for upcoming 2023 dates

Cheltenham Racecourse

Upton Upon Severn Festivals

2023 Dates

Upton Folk Festival - Fri 28th Apr - Mon 1st May

Upton Blues Festival - Fri 21st Jul - Sun 23rd Jul

Upton Sunshine Festival - Thurs 24th - Mon 28th Aug

Set in the beautiful Worcestershire riverside town of Upton upon Severn these weekends provide fun, good company and great music

Recommended Local Events

Worcester Light Night 22 & 23 Febuary 2023
Blues Festival at The Fold Early July
Welland Steam Rally 28-30 July 2023
The Alfrick and Lulsley Show First Saturday in September
Bromyard Hop Festival Early Sept

Monthly Farmers Markets

The Fold Market, Bransford - Every 1st Sunday of the month. March - December 10am-2pm
The Teme Valley Market, The Talbot Knightwick - 2nd Sunday every month. 11am-1.30pm
Great Malvern Farmers Market - 3rd Saturday every month. 9am-2pm

National Trust

Croft Castle,Leominster
Croome Park Worcester
Greyfriars Worcester
Hanbury Hall
The Weir Hereford
Wichenford Dovecote
Lower Brockhampton,Bromyard

English Heritage

Leigh Court Barn
Witley Court and Gardens
Goodrich, Stokesay, Wigmore Castles

Fun Activities

Sports

Fishing There are plenty of local fisheries, Brockamin Fisheries is only a 5 minute walk.
Golf - The nearest is at The Bank House Bransford
Walking 31 mile Worcestershire Way
Shelsey Walsh Hill Climb
Worcester Rugby at Sixways
Horse riding – Guiness Park farm and Tipton Riding School
Rowing and river trips on The Severn
Shelsey Walsh Famous Hill climb
Bowling in Worcester

Gardens and Garden Centres

Hampton Court Palace
Spetchley Park Gardens
Holloways Garden Centre and Café
Laylocks Garden Centre
Bransford Nurseries
Wyevale Garden Centre in Worcester

Local Food and Drink

The Talbot at Knightwick which hosts the award winning Farmers Market on the 2nd Sunday of every month
Bear and Ragged Staff, Bransford. Guests receive a 10% voucher off food, tables must be reserved in advance
The Fox and Hounds at Lulsley. Guests recieve a 10% discount off mains, tables must be booked in advance
Live and Let Live, Bringsty Common and the Live and Let Live at Whitbourne
The Inn at Welland - Fabulous food and service with award winning chefs
Roots at Rushwick - Family run farm shop with fresh local produce
The Oak at Staplow - Alistair Sawday recommended pub, great steaks and service
The Terrace on The Hill, Malvern. 7 course tasting menus on Friday and Saturday nights
Anupam Indian dining at it's best in the heart of Malvern

Hereford and Worcester have some excellent local Food and Drink specialities.

Cider, Beer, Wine visits to breweries and vineyards are plentiful. The Chase distillery tour is highly recommended (plan not to drive if possible!)

Attractions

Morgan Motor Company Factory visits. These are highly recommended and must be booked in advance
Severn Valley Railway
Royal Worcester Porcelain
Worcester Cathedral. The climb to the top is well worth it, fabulous views
Westons Cider Mill
Chase Distillary
Cadbury World
Jinney Ring Craft Centre
Elgar Birthplace Museum. Taken over by The National Trust in Autumn 2017
Ghost tours and walking tours of Worcester
Avoncroft museum

Entertainment

Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford on Avon
Swan Theatre, Worcester
Vue Cinema Worcester (Great VIP seats)
The Malvern Theatre

Pampering/Spa

Enrich your stay effortlessly with a relaxing holistic treatment brought to you at Hop Pickers from mobile service Pure Thyme Holistic Therapies.

Contact Julia on 07964 176747

The Sanctuary at Holloways is a luxury hair and beauty salon in Suckley. Book online www.thesanctuarysuckley.co.uk or call 01886 358120

The Bank House Spa Just 2 miles away offers many beauty treatments and spa facilities

The Malvern Spa is a luxury spa with hydrotherapy pool at the foot of the Malvern Hills.