Places to visit

Churches and Cathedrals

Roman remains at Cirencester and Chedworth; Gloucester and Hereford cathedrals, the Abbey at Tewkesbury, ruins of Hailes Abbey and countless fine churches all pay tribute to the area's rich, religious history.

Historic House and Palaces

A leisurely drive through the Cotswolds, an area of outstanding natural beauty and the setting for many of England's most picturesque towns and villages, brings you to Blenheim Palace, seat of the 11th Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
Photo copyright© by kind permission of Blenheim Palace.

Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon

Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, is steeped in culture and history. It is set in beautiful rural countryside, on the banks of the river Avon and is one of the most important tourist destinations in the UK.
It is also home of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Here we find the finest actors and directors working on great plays in some of the best theatre spaces in the world. The RSC in Stratford offers two theatres providing an elaborate range of drama, ancient and modern, classic and contemporary.
- The Royal Shakespeare Theatre where you can watch Shakespeare plays such as Hamlet or Taming of the Shrew depending on availability.
- The Swan is a wonderfully atmospheric galleried playhouse with the inside designed to reflect an actual Elizabethan style theatre.
Click here to find out more about Stratford-on-Avon

Worcester - The Cathedral

Worcester, a city where ancient and modern walk hand in hand; a city with a long history but also packed with the local attractions, terrific shopping, top-notch entertainment and first-class sport. Whatever you're looking for - Worcester has it!

KING John, who ruled England during the time of Robin Hood, lies buried in Worcester. The monarch, who was on the throne between 1199 and 1216, died the year after he gave into the demands of mediaeval barons and signed the Magna Carta, effectively Britain's Bill of Rights. His tomb can be found in Worcester Cathedral.

Also look out for the cricket ground, civil war commandery and famous porcelain factory.

Warwick Castle

There are a dozen castles from which to choose - Warwick is the finest mediaeval castle in England and Sudeley castle, once the palace of Katherine Parr, are two favourites.

Click here to find out more about Warwick Castle

Severn Valley Railway

Abandon the car and ride on the Severn Valley Steam Railway - a full-size standard-gauge line running regular steam-hauled passenger trains for the benefit of tourists and enthusiasts alike between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, a distance of 16 miles.
You could also travel in a boat on river or canal.

Click here to find out more about the Severn Valley Railway

Worcester - The Town

Visit Worcester, an ancient English city with a modern outlook on life, where heritage and tradition link arms with the arts, and up-to-the-minute shops vie for your attention with inviting restaurants offering food from around the globe.

Home of the magnificent Worcester Cathedral and the world-famous Royal Worcester porcelain, the city is also close to the birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar, England’s greatest composer.

Click here to find out more about Worcester

Cheltenham and The Races

Win a fortune at Cheltenham races and spend one in its smart shops!

Visit Cheltenham Tourism's on-line guide to England's Regency Spa town. Cheltenham is renowned for its stylish shopping, colourful parks, floral displays, horseracing, festivals and special events.
On the tourist information web site you can discover the Romantic Road to the Cotswolds, book your accommodation, a walking tour or a scenic coach tour, order a map or guide and find out about local events and attractions.

Hidcote Manor Garden

For garden lovers there's Hidcote Manor Garden, with its structure of outdoor 'rooms', linked by vistas and furnished with all sorts of topiary. It recalls both the English garden style and the European connections of its creator Major Lawrence Johnston.
Laid out over seventy years ago an astonishing variety of effects have been created. Hedges, walls, water and paving were all combined to create a garden that has its originals in the Arts and Crafts movement.
Profuse and 'jungly' planting, rich colour and texture, contrast with areas left deliberately plain to give calm and restful interludes, so increasing the impact of the garden's lavish and exciting progression.

Birmingham

Birmingham, England's second city is only forty minutes by car, and proud possessor of Symphony Orchestra, new concert hall, Hippodrome theatre, National Exhibition and Conference Centres.

Near Birmingham you can visit the Black Country's Industrial museum or see glass being blown and cut at Stourbridge, the centre for English Crystal, where there is a sparkling array of factory-shop bargains. For children and chocolate lovers there's Cadbury World at Bournville.

Click here to find out more about Birmingham

There are numerous National Trust properties to visit including:

Charlecote Park

Hanbury Hall

Croome Park

The Greyfriars

Country Pubs

There are seven excellent country pubs within a radius of two miles, including the fabled 'Ambridge' Bull. Six of them are landlord owned and five serve lunch and dinner. Keen competition ensures good value for money.

Sports

Riding, fishing, tennis and golf can all be arranged nearby.