Places to visit

AVONCROFT MUSEUM OF BUILDINGS: Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove. Restored buildings including working windmill, barn, granary, nail and chain workshops, timber-frame houses. Open: Mar, Nov Tues-Thurs, Sat, Sun 10.30am-4pm. Apr-June, Sep-Oct, Tue-Fri 10.30-4.30pm, Sat, Sun 10.30-5pm, July-Aug Mon-Fri 10.30-5pm, Sat, Sun 10.30, 5.30 (01527 831363). E-mail: avoncroft1@compu serve.com

BERRINGTON HALL: nr Leominster. Open: Contact for times (01568 615721). E-mail: vbeosb@ smtp.ntrust.org.uk

BEWDLEY MUSEUM: Load Street, Bewdley. Wyre Forest Crafts and industries. Please ring for details of opening times (Bewdley 403573).

BROADWAY TOWER COUNTRY ANIMAL PARK: Broadway. Historic tower, magnificent views, exhibitions, adventure playground and nature walks. Open: Contact for times (01386 852390). E-mail: broadway-tower@clara .net.

BROADWAY TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE: 1 Cotswold Court, Broadway. Open: Feb-Dec 22 (01386 852937).

BROMYARD HERITAGE CENTRE: 1 Rowberry Street. Old coach house converted into museum to house an exhibition of pictures, photographs and artefacts showing the development of rural and urban aspects of the town. In particular the hop exhibition, tracing the growing and picking cycle and changing methods of cultivation since the 15th Century. Three dimensional displays relating to the railway and locality. Admission free. Open: Contact for times (01885 482341/482038).

BURFORD HOUSE GARDENS: Burford, Tenbury Wells. Rare trees, shrubs, clematis, roses, herbaceous plants. Open: Contact for times (01584 810777). E-mail: treasures@burford.co.uk

CHURCHILL HOUSE MUSEUM: Venns Lane, Aylestone Place Hereford. Includes Brian Hatton Memorial Gallery. Open: Contact for times (01432 267409).

CIDER MUSEUM AND KING OFFA DISTILLERY: 22 Ryelands St, Hereford. Story of traditional cider-making through the ages; enormous 17th Century French beam press, old farm cider house, travelling cider maker's 'tack'. Original Champagne cider cellars. 1920s factory bottling line and huge oak vats. Cider brandy distillery, off licence and gift shop. Centrally heated. Free coach and car parking. Open Apr-Oct seven days a week 10am-5.30pm. Nov-Mar 11-3pm. Jan-Feb closed Mondays (01432 354207).

COMMANDERY: Sidbury, Worcester. Mid 15th Century hospital with great hall, pan-elled rooms, wall paintings. History of Worcester, Civil War plotting the past and planning the future. 'The Commandery Chronicle.' Open all year Mon-Sat 10-5pm. Sun 1.30-5.00pm Closed Dec 25, 26, Jan 1 (01905 361821).

COWDY GALLERY: Studio Glass, 31 Culver Street. Open: contact for times 01531 821173).

CROFT CASTLE: nr Leominster. Restored 14th Century mansion in 1,636-acre estate. Iron Age fort of Croft Ambrey nearby. Ring 01568 780246 for opening times.

CROWN EAST HERITAGE WOODLANDS: Bromyard Rd (A44) three miles west of Worcester. Experience a unique look at English countryside and gain some insight into the maintenance of a traditional ancient wild wood, guided tours. All tours are followed by seasonal food and refreshments. Booking is essential as numbers limited. Colour brochure available. Tel 01905 425645.

DEAN FOREST RAILWAY SOCIETY: Lydney, Glos. Locos, coaches, wagons and museums, and static display. Shop open daily. Services operate every Sunday in Oct; Wed in Aug; Saturdays in June/July/Aug; Tuesday and Thursday only in August. More information can be obtained on (01594 843423).

DROITWICH HERITAGE CENTRE AND INFORMATION: St Richard's House, Victoria Square. History of brine town and spa, supporting exhibitions. Open all year Mon-Sat 10-4pm. Tel 01905 774312.

EARDISLAND TOURIST POINT: Eardisland Tea Room, gift shop and Bed/Breakfast, Church Lane, Eardisland. Local information. (01544 388226).

EASTNOR CASTLE: near Ledbury. Built by Sir Robert Smirke in early 19th Century. Pictures, armour, tapestries and Italian furniture, deer park and chapel. Open Easter April 15-Oct 5, Sun, B H Mon 11-5pm. Open daily in Jul-Aug except Sat.(01531 633160). E-mail: inquiries@eastnorcastle.com

EDVIN LOACH Saxon Church: four miles north of Bromyard on unclassified road off B4203. Remains of early Romanesque church. Admission at any reasonable time.

Elgar'S BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM: Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, near Worcester Cottage where Elgar was born in 1857, now museum. Open: all year daily 11am-5pm, last admission 4pm. Closed from December 23-Jan 19. Full details (01905 333224).

THE GARDEN AT THE BANNUT: 2 acres of formal and informal gardens. Open Wed, Sun and Bank Holiday Mondays 2-5pm, Easter to September. Groups by appointment. Tel 01885 482206.

GOODRICH CASTLE: near Ross-on-Wye. Magnificent border fortress overlooking River Wye. Open April 1-October 30, daily 10am-6pm. October 5pm. November 1-March 31, Wed-Sun 10am-1pm, 2pm-4pm. Closed December 24-26 and January 1 (01600 890538).

HAGLEY HALL: Hagley. Palladian home of the Viscount and Viscountess Cobham, built 1760, in 350-acre parkland setting. Open daily. Jan-Feb, Bank Holiday Mon 2pm-5pm. It is advisable to check times beforehand (01562 882408).

HANBURY HALL: near Droitwich. Red-brick, Wren-style house with painted ceilings, porcelain collection and Dutch flower pictures. Orangery and Icehouse garden. Open April- end Oct, Sun-Wed, Bank holiday Monday, 2-6pm (01527 821214).

HARVINGTON HALL: Harvington, Worcestershire. Elizabethan moated manor. Open March, Oct - Sat, Sun 11.30-5pm. Apr-Sept - Wed-Sun 11.5pm, Bank Hols 11.30-5pm. Closed April 13 Open by appointments for groups/ schools (01562 777846). E-mail: harvingtonhall.org.uk

HELLENS Much Marcle: 600-year-old mansion, pictures, tapestries, armour, carriages. Open: Wed, Sat, Sun afternoons. Tours 2/3/4pm. Group tours by appointment. Contact Nick Stephens (01531 660504).

HEREFORD CITY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY: Broad Street, Hereford. Roman relics, natural history, art gallery. Open: Contact for times (01432 260692).

HEREFORDSHIRE WATERWORKS MUSEUM: Broomy Hill, Hereford. 1895 steam pumping engines, gas, diesel hand pumps and other working exhibitions Open: Contact with times (01432 361147).

JOHN MOORE COUNTRYSIDE MUSEUM: Church Street, Tewkesbury. Natural and rural history. Open: Contact for times (01684 297174). E-mail: myecrofte@aol.com

LEDBURY HERITAGE CENTRE AND GALLERY: Old Grammar School, Church Lane, Ledbury. Open: Contact for times (01531 635680).

LITTLE MALVERN COURT AND GARDENS: Malvern. Prior's Hall, cells of former Benedictine monastery once forming part of Little Malvern Priory Church. Notable timbered roof, religious vestments, garden. Open Apr 18-July 19, Wed and Thurs 2.15-5pm. Last admission 2.30pm (01684 892988).

LITTLE MUSEUM: (The Merchants House), Church Street, Tewkesbury, Abbey Lawn Trust Cottage, built c1450. Open: contact for times (01684 297174). E-mail: my-ecrofte@ aol.com

LOWER BROCKHAMPTON: near Bromyard. Late 14th Century moated manor house. Open Contact for times. (01885 488099).

LUDLOW CASTLE, Shropshire: Magnificent 11th-16th Century castle also shop and gallery. Open Feb-Apr 10am-4pm, April-July, Sept 10-5pm. August 10-7pm. Closed Dec 25. Last admission 30 minutes before closing (01584 873355).

MALVERN FESTIVAL THEATRES: (Festival/ cinemas/ New Space). Box office (01684 892277). See Malvern Gazette for latest programme.

MALVERN MUSEUM: Abbey Gateway, Malvern. Development of Malvern from pre-medieval to modern times. Geology section and four rooms filled with a wealth of fascinating details. Museum shop. Open: Contact for times (01684 567811/561215).

MALVERN PRIORY CHURCH: Parish church of St Mary and St Michael. Church Street, Malvern. Benedictine foundation Priory Church of early Norman and Perpendicular architecture. Open daily (summer) 9am-6.30pm; (winter) 9am-4.30pm. (01684 561020).

MUSEUM OF LOCAL LIFE: Friar Street, Worcester. Museum in 500-year-old timber-framed house. Open Mon/Tue /Wed/Fri/Sat 10.30-5.00pm; Closed Dec 25,26 (01905 722349).

NATIONAL BIRDS OF PREY CENTRE: Newent, Glos. Collection of birds of prey, flying demonstrations. Open daily 10.30-5.30pm. Last admission 4pm (01531 820 286).

NEWBRIDGE FARM PARK: Newbridge Farm, Little Marcle, Ledbury. (01531 670780) Diana Gardner.

PICTON GARDENS: Old Court Nurseries, Walwyn Road, Colwall. The National Collec-tion of Michaelmas Daisies, 1.5-acre garden featuring many unusual plants. Ring 01684 540416 for opening times.

RAGLEY HALL: Alcester 17th Century home of Seymour family. Gardens, park, adventure wood and country trail. House, garden and park. Open: Contact for times (01789 762090). E-mail: ragley.hall@virginnet.co.uk

ROYAL WORCESTER LTD: Severn Street, Worcester. Most comprehensive collection of Worcester porcelain in the world. Open: Daily Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm for shops. Factory tours Mon-Fri from 10.30am. Museum and shops open seven days a week. Closed Bank Holidays (01905 23221). E.mail: www.royalworcester. co.uk

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY: Bewdley. Steam travel along Severn Valley, Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, daily mid May-end Sept. Open all year round. Ring for times (01299 403816). E-mail: www.svr.co. uk

SPETCHLEY GARDENS - CHARITABLE TRUST: Spetchley, near Worcester. Thirty-acre garden with rare trees, shrubs and plants; red and fallow deer. Open April-Sept Tues-Fri 11-5pm, Sun 2-5pm. Bank Holiday Mondays 11-5pm (01905 345213).

SPLASH LEISURE COMPLEX: Priory Road, Malvern. Leisure pool with wave machine, water flume, poolside refreshments, restaurant, entertainment and teaching facilities. Open daily. Telephone (01684 893423) for times.

SWAN THEATRE: Worcester. For current programmes see Malvern Gazette or ring (01905 27322). E-mail: swan theatre@lineone.net

TEDDY BEAR MUSEUM: The Square, Bromyard (01885 488329). E-mail: sales@teddybearsofbromyard.com

TEWKESBURY ABBEY: Dates from Norman period. Romanesque and Gothic architecture. Open Apr-Sept, Mon-Sat 7.30-6pm. Oct-Mar, Mon-Sat 7.30-5.30pm. Sundays all year 7.30-7pm. Admission free (01684 850 959).

UPTON HERITAGE CENTRE: restored Pepperpot belltower, exhibition on growth of town and Battle of Upton during Civil War in 1651. Open: Contact for times (01684 592679).

WELLAND STEAM RALLY: General inquiries, David Prout (01531 890417).

WEST MIDLANDS SAFARI AND LEISURE PARK: Bewdley. Nearly 200 acres of big game reserves, boating lake, amusement area. Open Apr-Oct from 10am. Last admission varies (01299 402114). E-mail: info@wmsp. co.uk

WITLEY COURT AND ST MICHAEL'S BAROQUE CHURCH: Great Witley, near Worcester. Ruined home/ grounds, once the home of the Earls of Dudley. Open: Apr-Oct 30,10am-6pm, 5pm Oct daily, Nov-March 31 Wed-Sun 10-4pm. Closed Dec 24-26, Jan 1 (01299 896636).

Worcester Cathedral: Dates from 11th Century, contains tomb of King John, fine cloisters and crypt. Guided tours by arrangement. Open: Contact for times (01905 611002). E-mail: worcestercathedral@compuserve.com

WORCESTER CATHEDRAL FERRY: Watergate, Worcester Cathedral. Operates at weekends and Bank Holidays 9-6pm.

WORCESTER CITY MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY: Foregate Street, Worcester. Local his-tory, archaeology, geology, natural history, Worcestershire Regiment and Worces-tershire Yeomanry displays. Art exhibitions. Open all year Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm. Sat 9.30am-5pm. Closed Sun-days, (01905 25371).

WORCESTER COUNTY MUSEUM: Hartlebury Castle, near Kidderminster. 18th Century restored castle, home of the Bishop of Worcester. State Rooms open: Feb-Nov Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm. Fri, Sun 2pm-5pm. Bank Holiday 11-5pm. Closed Dec 1-Feb. (01299 250416). E-mail: museum@worcestershire.gov.uk

WORCESTER GUILDHALL: High Street, Queen Anne Building. Portraits and fine Assembly Room. Open all year Mon-Sat 9am-4.30pm. Open Good Fri, Easter Mon 8.30-5pm (01905 723471).

WORCESTER RACECOURSE: Pitchcroft. One hundred acres with tree-lined promenade beside River Severn.