Worcestershire County Museum

Victorian kitchens and vintage farm machinery might not sound thrilling, but this proper county museum in Hartlebury surprised me. Housed in a former bishop's palace, the displays cover everything from Roman finds to wartime memories, with enough variety to keep most families engaged for a couple of hours.

Children particularly love the hands-on activities and the recreated Victorian schoolroom where they can try writing with slate and chalk. The local history sections are well done too - you'll learn about Worcestershire's salt industry and see some genuinely interesting archaeological discoveries from the county.

What sets this place apart from your typical dusty local museum is the building itself. The palace rooms have been restored beautifully, and wandering through gives you a real sense of how the other half lived centuries ago.

Location-wise, it's just outside Stourport-on-Severn, making it an easy day trip if you're staying at any of the nearby holiday parks like Lincomb Lock or Lickhill Manor. The museum works well as a rainy day backup when you need a break from outdoor activities, though I'd suggest checking opening times before making the journey as they can be seasonal.