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 25th May - 2nd June 2024
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
Three Counties Showground
Main Events
- RHS Malvern Spring Festival 9-12 May 2024
- Royal Three Counties Show 14-16-June 2024
- Malvern Autumn Show 27-29 September 2024
Upcoming Events
- The Winter Glow Fri 22 Nov - Tues 31st Dec 2024
Horse Racing
- The festival at Cheltenham 12-15 March 2024 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 2024 dates
Cheltenham Racecourse
Upton Upon Severn Festivals
2024 Dates
Upton Folk Festival - Fri 3rd - Mon 6th May
Upton Blues Festival - Fri 17th Jul - Sun 21st Jul
Upton Sunshine Festival - Fri 23rd - Mon 25th 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 14 & 15 Febuary 2024
- Welland Steam Rally 26th - 28th July 2024
- The Old Bush Blues Festival 16th - 18th August 2024
- 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
- Redpoint Climbing Centre, Worcester
- The Buzz Inflatable Adventure, Worcester
- Indoor Karting and Laser Combat, Worcester
- Outdoor Karting at Herefordshire Raceway
- Eastnor Castle
- Escape Rooms, Ice Skating and Laser Quest, Malvern
- Guinness Park Riding School
- Land Rover Experience Centre, Eastnor
- Go Ape, Wyre Forest
- West Midlands Safari Park
- Severn Valley Railway
Sports
- Fishing There are plenty of local fisheries - Search here
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
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
- 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
Health and Wellness
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
Connect the body and mind with a private yoga session. No need to drive, Jess will come to you with a tailored couples or group yoga session outside in the gardens or in our heated games room. Jess Morris Fitness & Yoga
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. Half and Full Spa days available to book.
The Elms Greenhouse Spa is a luxury spa in Abberley with award winning facilities and half/full spa days available to book.
5 Benefits of Wild Swimming
You may be wondering, why on earth would I recommend swimming in a lake when we have a perfectly good, heated pool? Well… wild swimming can have significant health benefits when done in a safe environment. Conveniently, we have a lake just down the road that has recently opened! It's a 15-minute walk along a picturesque rural country lane, or just a few minutes by car.