Home Guard

The Home Guard museum in Worcestershire tells the story of Britain's volunteer defence force during the Second World War - the men who trained in spare time and stood ready to repel invasion. It's housed in a proper period setting that brings home what life was actually like for ordinary people preparing for the worst.

You'll see uniforms, weapons, photographs and personal accounts from the local volunteers who made up the units around Evesham. There's genuine kit on display alongside letters and documents that make the whole thing feel immediate rather than dusty. Most visitors spend between 60 and 90 minutes here, though history buffs will want longer to read everything properly.

This works well for anyone interested in wartime social history - less about battles, more about the homefront. Teenagers studying GCSE history find it useful. Families with younger kids might find it a bit text-heavy unless you're particularly engaged with the subject.

Access and admission details aren't widely published online, so ring ahead before you visit. It's within striking distance of several holiday parks in the area - Ranch Caravan Park sits just 1.2 miles away, while Broadway Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite (3.2 miles) makes a reasonable base for exploring the Cotswold edge. Combine it with a walk along the Vale of Evesham or pop into Evesham itself for lunch.

Worth a visit if you're staying locally and have a genuine interest in wartime history. Don't expect high production values or interactive exhibits - this is straightforward, earnest storytelling.