21 Best & Fun Things to Do in Kidderminster (Worcestershire, England)

Kidderminster is a town located by the Severn Valley just about 20 miles southwest of Birmingham.

This ancient town and its externals had taken up weaving as a way of life for centuries, but the 18th century saw Kidderminster taking up the art of carpet-making and they are known for that till now.

It does not make it a boring city at all. With a number of things to do in Kidderminster which cut across various activities, events, museums, and parks, you would not want to end your vacation here.

To guide your trip, here are the best things to do in Kidderminster.

Things to Do in Kidderminster

1. The West Midland Safari Park

The West Midland Safari Park
Credits: Tambako The Jaguar / Flickr | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The West Midland Safari Park

The West Midland Safari Park holds a record of massively attracting tourists from all parts of the world.

This park was opened in 1973 and occupies an expanse of 200 acres. It is the first of all parks in the UK to possess all of the African Big Five game animals (elephant, rhinoceros, lion leopard and Cape buffalo).

There are a large number of white lions, meerkats, cheetahs, and hippopotamuses (the highest in the country) in this park. This safari park boasts the biggest walk-through lemur domain.

You would enjoy the drive-through area which houses for the Asian water buffalo, African elephants, zebras, African lion, rhinos, and many other animals.

You could also explore the multiple walk paths passing through different habitats.

More attractions include an adventure theme park which features a 30-meter Venom tower Drop. Another is the “Land of the Living Dinosaurs”, where you get to see professionally-rendered complete models of creatures. Here, you face the likes of a velociraptor, triceratops, stegosaurus, and t-rex.

This park is quite an exciting place to visit, consider adding to your checklist of things to do in Kidderminster.

2. Stonehouse Cottage Garden

Stonehouse Cottage Garden
Credits: Stone House Cottage Garden & Nursery / Facebook
Stonehouse Cottage Garden

Looking at having a day out with your loved one? Then, Stonehouse Cottage Garden is a place for you.

Located at a rural, just on the outside of Kidderminster, this garden would give you the optimum romantic experience you sought for.

Stonehouse Cottage Garden occupies only one acre but it feels much spacious with hedges dividing its “rooms”. Each hedge is planted in a small family of little trees, climbers, herbaceous plants and shrubs.

The garden has a brick follies which are intertwined with climbing and twisting plants, thereby giving out air with unexplainable feels. There is also an attached nursery that sells diverse climbers.

Visit Stonehouse Cottage Garden between Wednesday and Saturday, May to September, these are when they are open for business.

This makes one of the fun things to do in Kidderminster for a romantic day out.

3. Pioneer Centre

Pioneer Centre
Credits: Pioneer Centre / Facebook
Pioneer Centre

One of the best things to do in Kidderminster is to spend some outdoor time at Pioneer Centre.

Pioneer Centre is recognized in the UK as a specialist venue for unique outdoor activity. A special place for individual and group residential, holidays and conferences.

Beautifully situated countryside on the edge of the Wyre Forest, the center is easily accessible from the national and Birmingham motorway network.

This unique location gives young people the rare opportunity of experiencing outdoors like they never imagined.

Check up their unmatched en-suite accommodation for groups of 12 to 300 who wish to obtain ‘best value’ for their programs.

The accommodation wings also give a lesser number of groups the privilege of remaining secure, separate and individually take well care of whilst enjoying facilities.

Every year, this center welcomes close to 20,000 guests. This site is perfect for youth adventures, conferences, training, and Christian events.

Visit this center with your family while in Kidderminster.

4. Kidderminster Railway Museum

Kidderminster Railway Museum
Credits: Hugh Llewelyn / Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
Kidderminster Railway Museum

Here is a historic landmark in Kidderminster, the Kidderminster Railway Museum, a visit here makes one of the fun things to do in Kidderminster.

This place used to be the Great Western Railway warehouse, located off-platform two in the Kidderminster Town.

This museum though not too large, contains interesting railway artifacts gathered from across the country. A good number of these are traced back to the steam age.

Some of the things on display in this museum are posters, gas lamps, signaling equipment (proudly one of the biggest set in the country), timetables, a telephone exchange, a platform ticket machine, and the interior of an ancient booking office which existed in Alvechurch.

Check up the array of locomotives (5-inch gauge models) and trucks. You would also love the Coalyard Miniature Railway. It runs on the same schedule with the full-sized trains. The kids would be happy on seeing them.

5. Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve

Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve
Credits: Loganberry [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve
In the entire UK, the west of Kidderminster is recognized as one of the biggest remnants of ancient woodland. Thus, visiting Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve should certainly make your list of things to do in Kidderminster.

The Wyre forest occupies over 6,500 acres of land space out of which 1,350 is separated as a National Nature Reserve.

This preserve is sited on a plateau lined by some steep valley which creates something like a mosaic view of scrub, grassy meadows, orchards, and woodland.

This place proudly inhabits the biggest colony of pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies in the UK. There are also over 1,000 varieties of moth and about 33 different butterfly species here.

You may see some roamers such as the muntjac deer and roe or even the pied flycatchers, wood warblers, redstarts, and buzzards which breed in the Wyre Forest.

You may decide to take a long walk or tree-climbing at the Go Ape high ropes course. It’s always exciting visiting this park. Would you like a hike on your checklist of things to do in kidderminster, do consider exploring Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve.

6. Brinton Park

Brinton Park
Credits: P L Chadwick / geograph.org.uk | CC BY-SA 2.0
Brinton Park

Brinton Park is named in honor of the family that started the manufacturing of carpets in this area back in the latter 18th century.

It is a fitting green space some distance away from the train station, about half miles. In the 1880s, John Brinton donated this space to the town in a deed of philanthropy. Luckily, it was ready in time and made open, marking the celebration of Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1887.

A visit to this park makes one of the fun things to do in Kidderminster you should not miss out on.

The park is by all means taken good care of, more like a community asset. There is a children’s playground and a splash pad which is accessible every day from the end of April and runs through September.

Enjoy the landscape (existing in Edwardian and Victorian periods), the formal bedding, the diverse trees, and the monuments such as the bandstand and the drinking fountain (1902).

Come with your kids and give them that treat they’ve longed for.

7. The Falconry Centre

The Falconry Centre
Credits: paul_p! / Flickr | CC BY 2.0
The Falconry Centre

The Falconry Centre, an animal attraction, located in the close by Hagley village is home to over 80 birds of prey and cuts across 30 species.

You will find so many exotic species like the Asian Brown Wood Owl, the Bald Eagle, and American kestrel aside the numerous natives birds like vultures, owls, falcons, eagles, kites, and buzzards in this place.

You are permitted to come, check these birds in the aviaries at any time of the day. You will also find some rescued or formerly hurt birds undergoing rehabilitation.

Another event you should expect is the flight displays. Well, this all depends on the weather, but you will see these birds as well as take a closer photograph of them.

The Falconry Centre also organizes private Bird Handling Experience Sessions. You spend quality time flying and handling different birds of prey, like the owls

Your kids (from age 10 and above) are offered a one-hour experience of birds and owls too!

Do not miss out on the fun, this makes a fun way to spend your day during your visit to Kidderminster.

8. Bodenham Arboretum

Bodenham Arboretum
Credits: Albert Kubxca / Flickr | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Bodenham Arboretum

The Bodenham Arboretum is a park situated just at the outside of the town. This park sits on a land over 130 acres on the shores of the lake.

This area sees the growth of over 3,000 species of shrubs and trees and has the as an integral part of a secluded valley.

The woodland is patterned with trails that guide you to discrete dells and glades and graced with these shrubs and trees. Some of them include the alders and North American oaks.

There is something for the youngsters too! they will enjoy a visit to an animal farm with sheep, turkeys, donkeys, ducks, goats, and cattle.

You’ll never have the same story all season in this park. In the spring, meet the likes of bluebells, daffodils, primroses, and Snowdrops. The rhododendrons, laburnum tunnel, and azaleas then in autumn are the golds and spectacle of reds.

Would you like to have a taste of something nice?, they have a restaurant for you. There, they serve Herefordshire beef, pork, and lamb, some people visit the arboretum just because of this restaurant.

9. Kidderminster Street Market

Kidderminster Street Market
Credits: Rept0n1x [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Kidderminster Street Market
While in Kidderminster, if you’ll need to purchase some stuffs either as a necessity of out of will. Whatever be the case, the Kidderminster Street Market serves you well.

This is an open-air street market that sits high of Vicar Street, Worcester Street, and High Street.

The markets have a very nice atmosphere and which the numerous stalls, you will never miss an item.

You can purchase fancy goods, houseware materials, and food items from the stalls. The stallholders are also friendly and accommodating, thereby giving you a nice shopping experience

10. Drakelow Tunnels

Drakelow Tunnels
Credits: Joesaphine [CC BY-SA 4.0], Wikimedia Commons
Drakelow Tunnels
Would you want to experience an entirely different day out to what you’ve had? Then, exploring the largest public-accessible military underground in the UK is that needed fun.

Originating from the Second World War, the Drakelow Tunnels covers up to 3.5 miles. This site was constructed as a Rover “shadow factory” for the production of engines needed by Bristol Aeroplane Company.

After the war, these tunnels were initially used for storage but as the Cold War continued, more relevance was placed on them.

They became a Regional Government Headquarters (following a nuclear attack) in the 1980s.

As a result of this, new blast doors and high-tech communications terminals were fixed in the complex.

Tours are allowed but not on a regulars basis. They come every few weeks, having a volunteer guide who shows you the Rover factory, the emergency generator room, GPO telephone exchange, BBC studio, decontamination block, and nuclear bunker.

11. Hartlebury Castle

Hartlebury Castle
Credits: Mike Finn / Flickr | CC BY 2.0
Hartlebury Castle

Let’s go south of Kidderminster, where the Hartlebury Castle is located. From the early 13th century running the years up to 2007, this castle used to be the base for Bishops of Worcester.

Visiting here it adds to your knowledge catalogs of Kidderminster.

After the civil war, the initial manor house was razed but the remnant was handed over to the bishop after the restoration of the monarchy.

After the final bishop moved out, some sections in this building (previously restricted) were opened and made accessible to the general public.

You will find some medieval elements which were hidden in the Gothic and Baroque Revival building. The majority of them are traceable to the 17th and 18th centuries.

I’m pretty sure, you would love to capture fantastic views of the refined Long Gallery. This gallery was raised in the tail-end of the 17th century and currently has cool and funny portraits decorating the whole place.

What about the Hurd Library? Built in 1782, with Ionic marble columns, awesome stucco ceiling and houses grained bookcases.

You’ll will have the privilege of checking out the books and libraries of the poet Alexander Pope the writer William Warburton.

Embrace this opportunity while in Kidderminster. Don’t forget to come with a camera too!

12. Worcestershire County Museum

Worcestershire County Museum
Credits: Worcestershire County Museum / Facebook
Worcestershire County Museum

The Worcestershire County Museum is sited in the servants’ quarters, Hartlebury Castle. The museum was built to preserve the entire past of Worcestershire dating back to the prehistoric era of the 1900s.

Are you a lover of history or a culture enthusiast? Then, this is for you. Even if you are not any of the above, you’ll certainly learn one or two things from here.

The museum houses some historic rooms which include a sitting room, nursery, a Victorian schoolroom, scullery, and laundry.

Check up the “Footsteps through Life” exhibition which portrays the culture of Worcestershire’s Victorian society. This display covers marriage, religion, food, medicine, and food.

Also explore the “Childhood Treasures” display with exhibitions of teddy bears, toy soldiers, and antique dollhouses of the Victorian times.

You will also see the “On Ancient Tracks” which draws our attention to Anglo-Saxon jewelry and the Roman coins.

To cap it off is the Travel and Transport gallery, this contains a very scarce set of British-Romani caravans, showing the way these wagons were developed. A visit here makes what to do in kidderminster for some museum time, do consider this for your checklist.

13. Bewdley Museum

Bewdley Museum
Credits: Bewdley Museum / Facebook
Bewdley Museum

The Bewdley Museum lies amongst the series of ‘coordinated whole” of gardens and old buildings. It narrates the history of the Severn Valley town of Bewdley and visiting the museum surely would add more flare to your activities in Kidderminster.

You would learn about the traditional crafts in Bewdley through the locals who are skillful in crafts such as pottery and pewter making.

You would also notice a rope factory, sawmill, and a very real brass foundry. All of these setups existed some 250 years ago and were still in operation till 1964.

Going into the main building is a slaughterhouse of the 18th century, an exhibition which shows the important role played by Bewdley in the river-trading and then information about some distinguished locals, like Stanley Baldwin – during the interwar years, he was the prime minister.

This museum is full of exhibitions which you can learn from at the same time get you excited. More attractions are Town Jails (goes down to 1802), an air-raid shelter (used during the World War II), and an exceptionally walled garden.

14. Severn Valley Railway

Severn Valley Railway
Credits: Juan Enrique Gilardi / Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0
Severn Valley Railway

You may have heard of the Severn Valley. If you haven’t, can you imagine a scenic valley view? also think of a railway passing through this topography. What a wonderful experience of a transport!

The Kidderminster Town Station is the terminus which is in the south of a heritage railway line. This track runs for about 16 miles through the scenic Severn Valley, starting from Bridgnorth a terminating at Shropshire.

In the early 1860s, this track was laid by a forbearer to the Great Western Railway. This route was ineffective use until 1970, when plans and actions kickoff in a bid to protect this line for generations yet unborn.

This Town Station though it looks old reminds every one of the efforts put in to build (from scratch) in 1984. You will observe the late-Victorian style as a testimony.

Visiting the station will mark the beginning of a memorable steam locomotive journey. This takes about 70 minutes and would have you call at 5 stations such a historic market town in Bewdley.

What about the display of locomotives and some very awesome exhibits at the Engine House Visitor Centre in Highley Station? I’m sure you would not want to miss these.

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15. Moorlands Farm Coarse Fisheries

Moorlands Farm Coarse Fisheries
Credits: Moorlands Farm Fishery / Facebook
Moorlands Farm Coarse Fisheries

Located on a 10-acre with 200 pegs and a total of 10 pools of variable size, the Moorlands is indeed a place you need to visit during your stay in Kidderminster.

Up entry, you will find people taking or poised on taking fishing competitions. All pools here are upgraded to the same depth and by the implementation of uniform stocking policy, all competitors have equal opportunity. You can join the competition if you wish.

It can’t be argued that Moorlands has gained recognition as a premier fishing arena in the country.

Having hosted events such as Drennan All Winners Final, Kamasan British Open, Fish-O-Mania qualifiers, Maiver Pairs Challenge, and NFA/ Angling Times Championships, they are placed in high regard.

You will find facilities like free car parking lots and a 12-seater licensed café here.

16. Ren Sei Kan Aikido Club

Ren Sei Kan Aikido Kidderminster
Credits: Ren Sei Kan Aikido Kidderminster / Facebook
Ren Sei Kan Aikido Club

If you think of trying out something new, Martial Arts might be of interest to you. Ren Sei Kan Aikido Club is also known as Kidderminster Aikido Club.

The Japanese interpretation of this is “training or drilling the mind”. Aikido is designed for all capabilities and ages.

There are great benefits attached to this training and they include agility, confidence, and fitness. Aikido is however not just a sport like other martial arts, its a discipline and a frame of mind.

Turn up at this place and have another experience added to your bag.

17. Little Owl Farm Park

The Little Owl Farm Park is a short drive from Kidderminster down the A449. The farm has in it a half-mile track which partially leads you through woodlands while you see the reindeer, paddocks, sheep, rheas, cattle, and goats.

Barns shield the newly hatched or birthed animals from the harsh weather conditions. You will find young guinea pigs, pygmy goats, rabbits, pigs, and hatched chicks in there.

Some other barns are built for pedal tractors, sandpits, and the recently set up soft play area.

You would also love to see the seasonal activities scheduled for each day such as piglet bottle feeding and sheep racing.

During school holidays, the park is accessible every day of the week but during terminal sessions, it opens six days a week, from Tuesday through Sunday.

Do visit this park to experience real farm life.

18. Military Wireless Museum

Military Wireless Museum
Credits: Military Wireless Museum Radio Club / Facebook
Military Wireless Museum

The Military Wireless Museum is a private museum established to preserve the historical military radios like spy equipment, R1155, WS-18, WS-19, and the likes.

This museum has in its facilities which can be used in the research and restoration of historical equipment. They still have interest in the acquisition of more equipments for this museum

They also regularly organize physical exhibitions. Though most times, it is in collaboration with other rallies and shows or at certain military events.

Here, you can learn about the benefits of wireless communication in the United Kingdom and the globe and be able to relate its use during the World War. Visit the museum with your family or loved one for some fun experience.

19 Museum of Carpet

Museum of Carpet
Credits: Diamond Geezer / Flickr | CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Museum of Carpet

The Museum of Carpet is located at the Stour Vale Mill and was built in 1855. Historically, it was the first carpet mill to be powered by steam in the entire UK.

Until 2003, the manufacturing of carpets continued on the building. It was in this year that two great manufacturing brands in Kidderminster – the Brinton and then the Woodward Grosvenor – merged. This resulted in the moving of the production site to another location.

In 2012, the museum was opened in honor of this historic carpet-making industry in Kidderminster.

In the museum are awesome exhibitions rolling through 300 years of making carpets locally. You’ll learn about some of the individuals in this industry and how a workday in the carpet mill looks like.

You will also have the opportunity to watch the Woodward Grosvenor weavers showing great experience in their operation of the hand and power-loom.

Watch the hand demonstrations every day from 10:00 to 13:00 and then the power-loom at noon, Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday.

20. Harvington Hall

Harvington Hall
Credits: deadmanjones / Flickr | CC BY-NC 2.0
Harvington Hall

A building that goes down in history for saving the harassed. The Harvington Hall owned by Mary Pakington was built in 1580.

She later converted to catholicism and this hall became a stronghold for the some Catholic clergy. They hid themselves here in the face of persecution.

It is noted that Harvington Hall has more priest holes (hiding places) than any other house you will find in England. Four of these priest holes are attached to the stairway, out of a total of seven.

There is a Marble Room which has a pseudo fireplace. And this fireplace leads to two secret attics which you would never know except you’re told.

Jesuit Nicholas Owen is the designer of the majority of these priest holes. However, in 1606, he was sentenced to death by torture.

At the Malt House Visitor Centre, you will see exhibitions showing the historical evolvement of this hall. You can also take a stroll in the wildflower garden, the formal knot garden, and even check out the moat.

21. Stanleys Farm Shop

Stanleys Farm Shop
Credits: Stanleys Farm Shop / Facebook
Stanleys Farm Shop

On this list of things to do in Kidderminster is Stanleys Farm Shop and PYO.

The Stanleys Farm Shop is very close to Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire and covers about 250 acres.

It is owned and run by a family that grows produces such as potatoes, sprouts, strawberries, carrots, and a wide range of herbs.

With a fundamental policy of freshness, choice, and quality products in all departments, you are sure to have the best of what you desire.

Visit the farm shop for your groceries, fresh meat, fresh bread and cakes, or hand-picking of field fresh produce, 25 acres of the farm is dedicated to you picking your fruit and vegetables.

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Plan a Trip to Kidderminster

Kidderminster is one of the most pleasant towns in the UK. With exciting places and fun options readily available, no one can dispute that this area is simply brimming with fun options of what to see and do.

As a tourist, visitor, or local, there is no end to the hotspot.

Begin to plan and prepare towards making the best of Kidderminster and its environs. Take to explore the different corners of this town and its surrounding environs, this makes a great way to spend a vacation.