10 History Museums in Worcestershire That You Shouldn't Miss

Churchill Forge is a waterwheel powered hand tool forge, one of the last four remaining in the UK. The site dates from around 1800, with the workshop machinery dating from the early 1900s. There are two working waterwheels, made sometime in the 1800s, both 17' in diameter. These turn on open days. The heavy wheel drives a crocodile shear in the yard, and line shafting in the workshop. The line shafting powers the two pneumatic hammers, press and drop stamp. The forge is a small industrial museum with no cafe or toilet facilities. Site access is via a flight of steep steps, with uneven flooring and further steps in the workshop and yard. The forge is open on selected days during the summer. See the forge website for details. Private group visits by arrangement.

Housed in a small Victorian school the museum aims to give a flavour of the development of the market town and district of Tenbury Wells.

The Almonry is a beautiful C14th building in the heart of the historic market town of Evesham. Once the home of the Almoner, one of the Benedictine Monks from the Abbey, the Almonry is now the town museum, Tourist Information Centre and gift shop. The museum tells the story of Evesham and the Vale from pre-history to mid-twentieth century with a beautiful garden, ideal for sitting and relaxing. Our gift shop stocks a wide range of souvenirs, postcards, walking maps and guides, books, gifts and handcrafted goods made by local makers and crafters. The Tourist Information Centre is packed with leaflets and guides to Evesham and the surrounding area. TIC staff are on hand to welcome you to Evesham and to help you get the most out of your visit and stay.

This beautiful 16th century building in the heart of historic Friar Street is run as a museum by volunteers. Displays focus on the house's past, as a home to Tudor weavers through to its use as an ARP Warden's office in WW2, and a school clinic thereafter. A cafe serves tea, coffee and wrapped cakes on vintage bone china. There is a Tudor Rat trail and activities for children. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday all year.

The George Marshall Medical Museum is situated in the Charles Hastings Education Centre, an education and training facility for health care staff in Worcestershire. The museum is free to enter. The Charles Hastings Education Centre can be found on the site of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester, WR5 1DD. For travel information, click here. The Museum is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and is free to enter. It is closed on Bank Holidays. Tours can be arranged outside of these hours. Charges apply. The Museum exhibits Mr. George Marshall's fantastic collection of objects illustrating the way that medicine and health care have developed over the past 250 years. Visitors to the Museum will see the gory collection of death masks of hanged criminals, the reconstructed apothecary shop and Victorian operating theatre. Tours, school groups and talks can be booked in advance, and there is a cafe on site.

Drakelow Tunnels is currently being converted into a Cold War and WWII museum it will house items showing how the bunker evolved over 40 years of being in action.

Encounter the past brought to life in a beautiful building with an 800 year history. Set in the heart of historic Worcester, The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651. Discover Worcester's Civil War Story, an interactive experience that will take you back over 350 years into a murky, conflicted 17th century Worcester of fiery debates. Experience life as a soldier 300 miles from home, test your skills at battle strategy and come face-to-face with Oliver Cromwell. The Commandery is the perfect place for a family day out - get to know your fearsome weapons, get stuck into our interactive displays or become a Commandery explorer with our trail backpacks. The Commandery also has its own gardens and an independent cafe, Commandery Coffee, which serves delicious home-made food, artisan coffee and loose leaf teas.