Great family days out (From Worcester News)

Great family days out

1:52pm Tuesday 25th August 2009 in

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Visit the spectacular romantic ruins of Witley Court and Gardens and step back in time to a bygone age of great wealth and extravagance.

Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful gardens and lake, woodland walks and amazing fountains – a magical world for all to explore.

Listen to the household memories of life upstairs and downstairs with your own personal audio tour or take a behind-the-scenes hard hat tour for a glimpse of previously unseen parts of the house.

Visit the work-in-progress East Parterre garden, which has recently undergone a two-year excavation programme in a bid to return this beautiful garden to its former glory.

Watch in awe as the stunning Perseus and Andromeda fountain, once the largest in Europe, fires. This magnificent fountain is now fully restored.

If you would really like to see how this once great house was run then join our Time Travellers Go…Victorian event over the August bank holiday.

For three days, Witley Court will be taken over by our Victorian family and children will have the chance to dress up in period costumes, play traditional games and even try their hand at Victorian laundry and cleaning.

For more details, call English Heritage on 01299 896636.

Worcester Feast

Held in the impressive surroundings of the cathedral, the cathedral gardens and the historic Commandery. Look out for the champagne garden, kids corner, food theatre, wine school and entertainment hotspots. There are more than 120 exhibitors plus more features and attractions. Call 01527 68955.

Harvington Hall

A mediaeval and Elizabethan moated manor house built in the 1590s. It has rare wall paintings and the largest series of priests’ hiding places in the country. Throughout the year, there are special events such as living history, outdoor plays and concerts. Call 01562 777846.

The Greyfriars

A fine timber-framed merchant’s house, built in 1480 next to a Franciscan friary. Rescued from demolition and carefully restored, the panelled interior contains interesting textiles and furnishings. An archway leads through to the delightful walled garden with children’s events throughout the summer. Call 01905 23571.

Jinny Ring Craft Centre

Beautiful 200-year old barns converted into 12 craft studio workshops, daytime farmhouse restaurant, craft gallery, gift shop and evening a la carte restaurant. Superb landscape gardens with super views of Hanbury Church and the Malvern Hills. Call 01527 821272.

Even more things to do!

Pershore Plum Festival, Pershore.
Free entry to events throughout August, some activities may have additional charges. There will be plenty of activities and entertainment to keep the whole family busy. Runs until Monday, August 31.

Worcester Festival, Worcester.
The festival is a fun-packed fortnight of activities and events for all ages. Anyone should be able to find an event they will enjoy. Free. Runs until Monday, August 31.

Summer Delights, Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury, near Kidderminster.
Four weeks of fun family activities to brighten the summer holidays. Activities include making a snake mobile and clay modelling. Normal admission prices apply. Activities cost £2-£4.

Until August 28.

Scarecrow Making And Scarecrow Day, Arrow Valley Countryside Centre, Redditch.
Bring old clothes to make a scarecrow and enter our competition. Scarecrows will be judged by the mayor on Scarecrow Day, Bank Holiday Monday. Activities cost £2.50. Wednesday, August 26, Thursday, August 27, and Monday, August 31 (11am-3pm).

Pershore Party In The Park, Pershore Abbey Park, Pershore.
Live bands, face painting, arts workshops, sport sessions and much more. Free from noon to 4pm. Wednesday, August 26.

Mini Beasts, Bewdley Museum, Bewdley.
Join our museum assistants for a fun session to make your favourite animal friends in clay. Activity cost £5. Thursday, August 27.

Evesham Party In The Park, Evesham Abbey Park, Evesham.
Live bands, face painting, arts workshops, sport sessions and much more. Price FREE from noon to 4pm. Thursday, August 27.

Dreamcatcher Children’s Activity Cruise, Dreamcatcher Canal Cruises, Tardebigge, near Bromsgrove.
Three-hour cruise, activities include T-shirt decorating, traditional canal art painting, learning about the canal wildlife and much more. £7.50-£10. Wednesday, August 26.

Time Travellers Go Victorian, Witley Court And Gardens (English Heritage), Great Witley.
Dress up and try your hand at Victorian laundry and cleaning and enjoy playing traditional games. £2.90-£5.80. Saturday, August 29, to Monday, August 31.

Queen Victoria's Garden Party, Avoncroft Museum of Buildings, Bromsgrove.
Her Royal Majesty Queen Victoria requests the pleasure of your company at the Avoncroft Victorian Garden Party. Lots of activities. Normal admission charges.

Saturday, August 29, to Monday, August 31.

Broadfields A-Maize-ing Maze, Powick.
Call 01905 831158.

Croome Park (National Trust), Severn Stoke.
Call 01905 371006.

Dream Catcher Canal Trips, Tardebigge, near Bromsgrove.
Call 01384 562358.

Hanbury Hall (National Trust), Droitwich Spa.
Call 01527 821214.

Worcester Cathedral, Worcester.
Call 01905 732900.

Worcester Racecourse, Worcester.
Call 0870 2202772.

Worcester Walks, Worcester.
Call 01905 21286.

Worcestershire County Museum, Hartlebury, near Kidderminster.
Call 01299 250416.