Most parents have become experts over the past few years at entertaining energetic little-ones close to home. Now travel is a possibility again and businesses are open; let the multitude of both outdoor and indoor kid friendly activities in The Malverns bring the fun. Have new adventures and make memories as a family on a trip to our beautiful area.
The weather leading up to February half-term, it is rather wet and windy with Storm Eunice battering the UK, but looking forward into next week the weather forecast looks like it will brighten up. Just remember to bring your water-proof clothing and wellies to be able to make the most of the great outdoors on those wet days.
We’ve put together a few ideas for you and the children to enjoy during February half-term, including indoor and outdoor fun for all the family.
Explore The Great Outdoors
FREE Town Centre and Hills Children’s Trails
Download online or visit one of our Tourist Information Centres.
Nature Trails at The Fold
Let the little ones connect with the environment on the nature trails at The Fold. There’s so much to discover on the three trails: Lake, Railway and River, all about a mile long so perfect for little legs. The Lake Trail comes in at the shortest at 3/4 of a mile and takes you around the tranquil Tank Lake area which is home to all manner of birds and wildflowers. The Railway Trail follows the tree-lined route of the old Worcester to Leominster line and provides a home for plenty of wildlife to spot. The River Trail snakes along the banks of the River Teme with views across the surrounding countryside and makes a perfect, secluded spot for a picnic.
Geocaching
Heard of Geocaching? Youngsters (and grown-ups!) with lots of energy will enjoy this real life treasure hunt where containers, or “caches”, are hidden and their exact co-ordinates posted online. Find the container, sign the logbook and see if anything exciting has been left inside. There are hundreds of cashes hidden across The Malvern Hills and around Upton upon Severn so many happy hours can be spent hunting and roaming the beautiful countryside.
Clive’s Fruit Farm
Walk or cycle down to Clive’s Fruit Farm from the riverside town of Upton upon Severn to pick your own fruits, eat home-made cakes and light bites and purchase some locally sourced food and drink from the farm shop. Quench your thirst on some of their sweet home-grown apple juice after fun in the play area or a trail through the farms orchards.
And Of Course Our Wonderful Countryside…
Pack a picnic and bundle out into nature for the day. The Malvern Hills has numerous picturesque spots for picnicking, enjoying the views and soaking up the wonderful animal and plant life. The impressive tiered hills at the British Camp Iron Age Hill Fort create the perfect space for energetic youngsters to play make believe, and use the hills as a natural playground. Long, happy days as a family can also be spent wandering the Teme Valley, Upton Ham Site of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI), Ravenshill Nature Reserve, St. Wulstans Nature Reserve, and Worcestershire Wildlife Sites.
Big Adventures For Little People
Boundless Outdoors
Boundless Outdoors Activity Centre can promise days filled with adventure for the whole family. Whether you’re seeking high adrenaline with climbing and zip wires, water sports like canoeing and raft building or just want to monkey around on the low ropes and blindfolded assault course Boundless Outdoors can do it all. They offer family days as well as birthday party packages and school holiday activities so get your gang together and see what you can conquer.
Croome – RAF Adventure Playground
The historic Croome National Trust is home to a fantastic RAF themed playground. Once the site of the RAF Defford airbase your mini historians can play hero at the control tower, scramble net, bunker, jeep, slides and swings. If this ignites a passion for history, take them round Croome’s dedicated RAF Defford Museum to discover the story of this once secret WWII base. Alternatively, sit down for some tea and cake at the 40’s themed RAF café housed in the restored buildings of the base.
Witley Court – Wilderness Play Area
Witley Court’s architect designed wilderness play area is a winner with kids of all ages. Tots can enjoy the seedpod treehouse and outdoor musical instruments while older ones explore the grass covered amphitheatre, slides and wobbly bridge. As well as the play area Witley Court has over 40 acres of grounds which include a lake, woodland, formal landscaped gardens and an incredible water fountain of Perseus and Andromeda all waiting to be explored. See also the spooky ruins of the old manor house or take a walk to Great Witley Church and admire its magical Italianate Baroque ceiling artwork.
Eastnor Castle
There’s endless entertainment at Eastnor Castle for the whole family so take advantage of one of Eastnor’s aptly named “Run-around Days” in the school holidays. With ancient trees to climb, a castle mouse hunt, tree top walkway and the hugely popular Knights Maze you’ll be out of breath just listing the attractions let alone once you get started! Peek also at the lavishly decorated state rooms inside the castle including the Great Hall, Gothic Drawing Room, Octagon Saloon and a number of opulent bedrooms.
Cob House Country Park
Home to the first reindeer born in Worcester, pony rides, themed workshops, bush craft adventures and laser tag are all on offer at Cob House Country Park. Entry to the grounds to meet the alpacas, reindeer, goats and birds is free and there are lakes for fishing. The dog-friendly Mayfly Café comes highly recommended serving stone -baked pizza and plenty of crowd pleasing café favourites.
Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb
Experience the excitement of the worlds oldest motorsport venue still running events on its original course. Specialising in speed hill climbs they offer breakfast clubs for car enthusiasts, driving schools and of course thrilling races. Under 16s go free to many of the racing events so the young ones can soak up the atmosphere of race day.
Ralph Court Gardens
Ralph Court Gardens will be back open Spring 2022 for visitors to enjoy its 12 themed gardens. There is a surprise around every corner from smoke breathing dragons to characters from Alice in Wonderland. Full of wonderful botanicals and the tranquil sounds of falling water from one of its many ornamental fountains these gardens make a magical family day out.
Severn Expeditions
What could be more idyllic than a day together as a family on the water? With both skippered and self drive boats available don’t worry if this is your first foray into boating, the friendly skippers will teach you everything you need to know to enjoy your day. If you are planning a full day out on the water then take advantage of their “Pack a Picnic” service to have your boat stocked with local goodies to fuel the fun. There are also guided fishing trips available which are suitable for beginners, the kids can come away with a new skill as well as something to barbeque for dinner!
Free Outdoor Play Areas
There is a brilliant selection of free outdoor play areas across The Malverns. Tenbury Wells is home to The Burgage, a handsome green space with river views, children’s play area, tennis courts and bowling green. Upton upon Severn also has a fantastic play area with sensory sections for toddlers, a huge rope-dome climbing frame, slides, swings, a skatepark and more.
On top of that, coming Spring 2022, is the NEW Priory Park Adventure Playground. The exiting makeover is made from sustainable timber and children will get the chance climb on natural boulders, crawl through hobbit holes, hide in a hollow tree trunk, walk across a rope bridge, swing on a basket swing and more! See the incredible plans for yourself:
Pictured: Artistic representations of the new Play Area at Priory Park in Great Malvern. Images supplied by Flights of Fantasy Creative Play Ltd.
Indoor Fun For Rainy Days
Gloomy weather got you down? Panic not, The Malverns has plenty of indoor attractions to keep everyone entertained on stormy days. Recently updated in a £2 Million re-vamp Malvern Splash Leisure Complex boasts a new flume, interactive water play features for younger swimmers and wave machine as well as modernisation throughout. More expeditions are afoot at Ice Quest Malvern where you can choose between year- round ice skating, laser quest and their escape room. Or complete all three if you’re feeling brave!
Alternatively, for a more creative rainy-day activity, head to Green Frog Pottery in Barnards Green. There are over 100 styles of pottery to paint from adorable ceramic animals to hand-thrown lanterns and vases created by the talented potters at the Green Frog. Pottery wheel experiences are also available, but make sure to book for this popular experience.
And if it’s pottery you want, go all out and book a pottery experience at Eastnor Pottery with The Flying Potter. Located in the grounds of Eastnor Castle professional artist potters Sarah Monk and Jon Williams run classes and weekends to share the benefits of working with clay. Their clay modelling classes are perfect for creative little hands and are sure to inspire a talent for crafts.
What’s On?
Arts venues in The Malverns are bursting with shows, movies, workshops and other entertainment for the whole family. The Malvern Theatres runs “Best of Broadway “ and “Theatrical Fun” workshops involving, singing, drama and storytelling for budding thespians. They are also running a film making programme “The Happiness Project” where participants will plan, film and edit a short film on discovering the secret to happiness. There are family friendly plays and movies on show including “The Smeds and the Smoos” – an exciting production based on the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Coach House Theatre in Malvern has lots of events for little ones including an upcoming Easter themed Peter Rabbit show as well an opportunity to meet Disney Princesses at the “Very Royal Princess Show”.
There are blockbusters and ballets showing at the Regal Tenbury. Universal Pictures fantastic “Sing 2” is not to be missed, and young dancers will be in awe at the streaming of the Royal Ballets newest production of “Swan Lake” on the big screen.
Click the buttons below find out what’s on:
Accommodation
The Malverns has a great selection of accommodation providers to choose from, whether you’re after a luxury hotel, a quaint B&B, a self-catering cottage or a camping or glamping site where you can be close to the great outdoors, you’ll find something that suits your taste and budget here in The Malverns.
Find out more with out Accommodation Finder here.
You can also view the Accommodation providers who have the ‘Safe Travels’ stamp which are signed up to the ‘We’re Good To Go’ scheme here.
