Attractions and Places To See around Bushley - Top 20
Attractions and places to see around Bushley are situated in Worcestershire, England, offering access to a diverse landscape. The region provides views of the Malvern Hills and is within reasonable proximity to the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. While Bushley is a small village, it serves as a starting point for exploring historical sites and natural features in the surrounding area. The local points of interest include significant historical structures and elevated viewpoints.
Best attractions and places to see around Bushley
- The most popular attraction is Parsons Folly on Bredon Hill, a man-made monument that stands on a historic hill. From its summit, visitors can observe views across Worcestershire to the Malverns and the Cotswolds.
- Another must-see spot is Tewkesbury Abbey, a religious building and historical site. This Grade I-listed building features Norman architecture and stained glass windows from the 15th century.
- Visitors also love Croome Court, a historical site and stately home. This mid-18th-century Neo-Palladian mansion is surrounded by extensive landscaped parkland designed by Capability Brown.
- Bushley is known for its historical sites, religious buildings, and natural viewpoints. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient monuments to landscaped parklands.
- The attractions around Bushley are appreciated by the komoot community. The community has contributed more than 90 photos and over 160 upvotes for these locations.
Last updated: July 2, 2026
Parsons Folly on Bredon Hill
Highlight • Monument
The hill was once an Iron Age hillfort, known as Kemerton Camp and it then became an important Roman encampment. In the 18th century, the squire of Kemerton Court erected a small stone tower, Parsons Folly. A number of ancient standing stones also adorn the hill.
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Croome Court
Highlight • Historical Site
The mansion house is owned by Croome Heritage Trust and leased to the National Trust, which operates it as a tourist attraction. The National Trust owns the surrounding parkland, which is also open to the public.
The foundations and core of Croome Court, including the central chimney stack structure, date back to the early 1640s. Substantial changes to this early house were made by Gilbert Coventry, 4th Earl of Coventry.
George Coventry, the 6th Earl, inherited the estate in 1751, along with the existing Jacobean house. He commissioned Lancelot "Capability" Brown, with the assistance of Sanderson Miller, to redesign the house and estate. It was Brown's "first flight into the realms of architecture" and a "rare example of his architectural work", and it is an important and seminal work. It was built between 1751 and 1752, and it and Hagley Hall are considered to be the finest examples of Neo-Palladian architecture in Worcestershire. Notable Neo-Palladian features incorporated into Croome Court include the plain exterior and the corner towers with pyramidal roofs (a feature first used by Inigo Jones in the design of Wilton House in Wiltshire). Robert Adam worked on the interior of the building from 1760 onwards. The house was visited by George III, as well as by Queen Victoria during summers when she was a child, and George V (when Duke of York).
A jam factory was built near Pershore railway station by the 9th Earl of Coventry in about 1880, to provide a market for Vale of Evesham fruit growers in times of surplus. Although the Croome connection with jam-making had ceased, the building was leased by the Croome Estate Trust during the First World War to the Huddersfield Fruit Preserving Company as a pulping station. The First World War deeply affected Croome; there were many local casualties, although the house was not requisitioned for the war effort. This is possibly because it was the home of the Lord Lieutenant of the county, who needed a residence for his many official engagements. Croome Court was requisitioned during the Second World War by the Ministry of Works, and leased for a year to the Dutch Government as a possible refuge for Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands to escape the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. However, evidence shows that they stayed for two weeks at the most, perhaps because of the noise and fear created by the proximity of Defford Aerodrome. They later emigrated to Canada.
The Croome Estate Trust sold the Court in 1948, along with 38 acres (15 ha) of land, to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham, and the mansion became St Joseph's Special School, which was run by nuns from 1950 until 1979. In 1979, the hall was taken over by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, the Hare Krishna movement) which used it as its UK headquarters and a training college, called Chaitanya College. During their tenure they repainted the Dining Room. ISKCON left the estate in 1984 for financial reasons. It held a festival at the hall in 2011. From 1984 onwards, various owners tried to use the property as a training centre; apartments; a restaurant and conference centre; and a hotel and golf course, before once more becoming a private family home, with outbuildings converted to private houses.
The house was purchased by the Croome Heritage Trust, a registered charity, in October 2007, and it is now managed by the National Trust as a tourist attraction. It opened to the public in September 2009, at which point six of the rooms had been restored, costing £400,000, including the Saloon. It was estimated that another £4 million to £4.8 million would be needed to restore the entire building. Fundraising activities for the restoration included a 2011 raffle for a Morgan sports car organised by Lord and Lady Flight. After the restoration is complete, a 999-year lease on the building will be granted to the National Trust. An oral history project to record recollections about Croome was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. As of 2009, the service wing was empty and in need of substantial repair. The house was listed on 11 August 1952; it is currently Grade I listed.
The mansion is faced with Bath stone, limestone ashlar, and has both north and south facing fronts. It has a basement and two stories, with three stories in the end pavilions. A slate roof, with pyramid roofs over the corner towers, tops the building, along with three pair-linked chimneys along the axis of the house.
Both fronts have 11 bays, split into three central sets of three each, and one additional bay each side. The north face has a pedimented centre, with two balustraded staircases leading to a Roman Doric doorcase. The south face has a projecting Ionic tetrastyle portico and Venetian windows. It has a broad staircase, with Coade stone sphinxes on each side, leading to a south door topped with a cornice on consoles. The wings have modillion cornice and balustrade.
A two-story L-shaped service wing is attached to the east side of the mansion. It is made of red brick and stone, with slate roofs. It was designed by Capability Brown in 1751–1752. On the far side of the service wing, a wall connects it to a stable court.
The interior of the house was designed partially by Capability Brown, with plasterwork by G. Vassalli, and partially by Robert Adam, with plasterwork by Joseph Rose, Jr. It has a central spine corridor. A stone staircase, with iron balusters, is at the east end.
The entrance hall is on the north side of the building, and has four fluted Doric columns, along with moulded doorcases. To the east of the entrance hall is the dining room, which has a plaster ceiling and cornice, while to the west is a billiard room, featuring fielded panelling, a plaster cornice, and a rococo fireplace. The three rooms were probably decorated around 1758–1759 by Capability Brown. The dining room was vibrantly repainted by the Hare Krishnas in the 1970s-80s.
The central room on the south side is a saloon, probably by Brown and Vassalli. It has an elaborate ceiling, with three panels, deep coving, and a cornice, along with two Ionic fireplaces, and Palladian doorcases. King George III was entertained by George Coventry, the 6th Earl, in the house's Saloon. A drawing room is to the west of the saloon, and features rococo plasterwork and a marble fireplace.
To the east of the saloon is the Tapestry Room. This was designed in 1763–1771, based on a design by Robert Adam, and contained tapestries and furniture covers possibly designed by François Boucher and Maurice Jacques, and made by Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins. Around 1902 the ninth Earl sold the tapestries and seating to a Parisian dealer. The Samuel H. Kress Foundation purchased the ceiling, floor, mantlepiece, chair rails, doors and door surrounds in 1949; they were donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, in 1958. In 1959, the Kress Foundation also helped the Metropolitan Museum acquire the chair and sofa frames, which they recovered using the original tapestry seats. A copy of the ceiling was installed in place of the original. As of 2016, the room is displayed as it would have looked after the tapestries had been sold, with a jug and ewer on display as the only original decoration of the room that remains in it. The adjacent library room is used to explain what happened to the tapestry room; the former library was designed by Adam, and was dismantled except for the marble fireplace.
At the west side of the building is a Long Gallery[10] which was designed by Robert Adam and installed between 1761 and 1766. It is the best preserved of the original interior (little of the rest has survived in situ). It has an octagonal panelled ceiling, and plaster reliefs of griffins. A half-hexagonal bay faces the garden. The room also contains a marble caryatid fireplace designed by J Wilton. As of 2016, modern sculptures are displayed in empty niches along the Long Gallery.
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Tewkesbury Abbey
Highlight • Religious Site
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Eckington Bridge
Highlight • River
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Chase End Hill Summit
Highlight • Natural Monument
The Geopark Way, a long-distance footpath linking geological sites together crosses the hill while the Three Choirs Way passes around its eastern edge.
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Tips from the Community
Pleasant views of Malvern and the surrounding areas from up there. The folly is ugly as sin but then it IS a folly so... yeah. Not a particularly difficult climb to get up there from either direction.
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A worthy addition to the National Trust. Wonderful house, set in Capability Brown's first landscape park.
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The most southerly Malvern, with fine views south to May Hill.
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The folly itself actually looks like it really is an industrial tower housing mobile phone equipment, but the views are very good. Nearby is the Elephant Stone - it looks like an Elephant kneeing down. Not far from the Cotswold Stone drystone wall is the circular stone that marks the very top of Bredon Hill.
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Good parking, half a dozen spaces on Woollas Hill, near Deer Park centre. Views on way up to Folly are spectacular. Good to get the climb out the way early with gentle, long descent in to Broadway.
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A historical bridge with only one lane, which means you have to wait for a traffic light to cross the bridge with no options to stop on the bridge. However, you can visit picnic place, which is very close to it
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Fantastic place near River Avon. Good as a quick rest place. Also, suitable for walking (one of Avon Valley walks goes along River Avon at this place and continues to the village).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I visit near Bushley?
Bushley is surrounded by rich history. You can explore the magnificent Tewkesbury Abbey, a Grade I-listed building showcasing wonderful Norman architecture and 15th-century stained glass. Another significant site is Croome Court, a mid-18th-century Neo-Palladian mansion with extensive landscaped parkland designed by Capability Brown. Additionally, Parsons Folly on Bredon Hill stands on an ancient Iron Age hillfort, offering a glimpse into the area's past.
Where can I find scenic views around Bushley?
For breathtaking vistas, head to Parsons Folly on Bredon Hill. From its 981-foot summit, you can gaze across Worcestershire to the Malvern Hills and south into the rolling Cotswolds. The broader Worcestershire area also offers commanding views of the Malvern Hills, a significant natural feature in the region.
Are there hiking trails near Bushley?
Yes, there are several hiking opportunities around Bushley. You can find easy hikes, such as the River Severn Weir – Tewkesbury Abbey loop or The Bloody Meadow loop, both starting from Tewkesbury. For more options and detailed routes, explore the Easy hikes around Bushley guide.
What natural features are prominent in the Bushley area?
The Bushley area is characterized by its proximity to the stunning Malvern Hills, which provide a dramatic backdrop and excellent views. It is also within a reasonable distance of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering picturesque landscapes and natural scenery.
Are there family-friendly attractions near Bushley?
Absolutely. Croome Court is a great family-friendly option, with its expansive parkland perfect for exploration. Tewkesbury Abbey also welcomes families to explore its historic grounds. Additionally, Eckington Bridge offers a pleasant spot by the River Avon, ideal for a break and watching the world go by.
Can I go cycling around Bushley?
Yes, cycling is a popular activity in the area. You can find routes like 'Around Bredon Hill from Tewkesbury' or 'Bozard Lane (National Byway) – The Shutter Pub loop'. For more cycling routes and details, refer to the Cycling around Bushley guide.
What is the history behind Parsons Folly on Bredon Hill?
Parsons Folly is an 18th-century stone tower built by Mr. Parsons of Kemerton. It stands on Bredon Hill, which was historically an Iron Age hillfort known as Kemerton Camp and later an important Roman encampment. The folly itself is 39 feet high, making its top exactly 1,000 feet above sea level when combined with the hill's elevation.
What kind of architecture can I see at Tewkesbury Abbey?
Tewkesbury Abbey is renowned for its magnificent Norman architecture. Visitors can admire the impressive scale and design characteristic of this period, along with beautiful stained glass windows that have survived from the 15th century.
Are there places to run near Bushley?
Yes, there are various running trails available. Options include moderate routes like the 'Tewkesbury Abbey – River Severn Weir loop' or the 'Tewkesbury Abbey – Victoria Gardens, Tewkesbury loop'. For more running trail information, check out the Running Trails around Bushley guide.
What is special about Croome Court's parkland?
The parkland surrounding Croome Court is historically significant as it was the first major landscape design project by the renowned Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. It features extensive, beautifully landscaped grounds that are now managed by the National Trust and open to the public for exploration.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Bushley?
Visitors frequently praise the scenic magnificence from viewpoints like Parsons Folly on Bredon Hill, often highlighting the views of the Malvern Hills and Cotswolds. The historical depth of sites like Tewkesbury Abbey and the beautifully designed parkland of Croome Court are also highly appreciated.
Is there a good spot for a break by the river near Bushley?
Yes, Eckington Bridge, a Grade II listed building crossing the River Avon, offers a pleasant rest area on the Eckington side. It's a great place to take a break, enjoy some food and water, and watch the river flow by.
Most popular attractions around Bushley
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