Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire


<p>That slightly crumpled National Lottery ticket lurking at the bottom of your handbag? Turns out it’s basically a golden ticket this week. During National Lottery Open Week, lottery-funded venues are throwing open their doors with proper free entry &#8211; no catches, just bags of culture without a price tag &#8211; whoop!</p>



<p>To claim you simply <strong>show a National Lottery ticket or scratchcard when you arrive</strong>, or book online using the code NLOPENWEEK26. One ticket usually covers <strong>one adult and several children for free entry during Open Week</strong>.</p>



<p>From eccentric manor houses to wildly photogenic ruins and quietly brilliant museums, here are seven awesome and free places across Gloucestershire and Worcestershire to visit before the 15 March.</p>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chedworth-roman-villa-cheltenham-glos"><a href="https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week/offers/national-trust-chedworth-roman-villa-free-entry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chedworth Roman Villa</a>, Cheltenham, Glos</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1-1000x1000.jpg" alt="man dressed in roman gear in glos" class="wp-image-81548" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.roman_-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Tucked away in a quiet Cotswold valley, in Yarnworth near Cheltenham, Chedworth Roman Villa is one of the most impressive Roman sites in Britain and dates back to around AD 120. Today raised walkways let you look straight down at the remarkably preserved mosaics and explore the remains of the rooms and bath complexes that once made up the villa. There’s also a small museum of finds from the site &#8211; a brilliant and family friendly day out. <strong>Free entry util 14 March.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-snowshill-manor-amp-gardens-glos"><a href="https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week/offers/national-trust-snowshill-manor-garden-free-entry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Snowshill Manor &amp; Gardens</a>, Glos</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="800" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2snows-1000x800.jpg" alt="national trust house " class="wp-image-81541" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2snows-1000x800.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2snows-800x640.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2snows-400x320.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/2snows.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">©National Trust Images/James Dobson</figcaption></figure>



<p>Possibly the quirkiest manor house in the Cotswolds. Inside it’s an absolute treasure trove of curiosities – samurai armour, vintage bicycles, antique toys and all sorts of gloriously random collections amassed by one very enthusiastic collector. Outside, the Arts and Crafts gardens tumble down the hillside with terraces, topiary and delicious honey-stone views.<strong> Free entry until 14 March.</strong></p>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-national-waterways-museum-gloucester-docks-glos"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NationalWaterwaysMuseumGloucester/photos/enjoy-free-entry-to-national-waterways-museum-gloucester-this-saturday-14th-marc/1513364777456851/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Waterways Museum,</a> Gloucester Docks, Glos</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/4.wter_-1000x667.jpg" alt="gloucester docks" class="wp-image-81543" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/4.wter_-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/4.wter_-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/4.wter_-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/4.wter_.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: National Waterways Museum</figcaption></figure>



<p>Industrial heritage but make it interesting. Set among the towering Victorian warehouses of Gloucester Docks, this museum tells the story of Britain’s canal age through historic boats, exhibits and plenty of atmospheric dockside history. Afterwards, wander outside along the water and soak up the maritime vibes. <strong>Free entry on Sat 14 March.</strong> Open 10am &#8211; 4pm.</p>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-painswick-rococo-garden-glos"><a href="https://www.rococogarden.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Painswick Rococo Garden</a>, Glos</h2>



<p>A delightfully theatrical Georgian garden that feels like something from a Jane Austen daydream! Expect winding woodland paths, ornate follies popping up between the trees and secret viewpoints over the valley. A gorgeous day out with plenty of early Spring flowers peeking up at this time of year. <strong>Free entry from 11–13 March.</strong></p>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worcestershire">WORCESTERSHIRE</h2>



<p></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-witley-court-amp-gardens-worcs"><a href="https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week/offers/witley-court-and-gardens-free-entry-22-23-march" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Witley Court &amp; Gardens</a>, Worcs</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.witleycourt-1000x667.jpg" alt="national trust house " class="wp-image-81539" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.witleycourt-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.witleycourt-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.witleycourt-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/1.witleycourt.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Image: English Heritage / National Lottery</figcaption></figure>



<p><br>One of England’s most dramatic ruins and wildly photogenic. The vast shell of the once-opulent mansion looms over beautifully kept gardens, or gasp at the enormous Perseus fountain which erupts into life at intervals in gloriously over-the-top fashion! A lovely place to rock up with a picnic too. <strong>Free entry from 11 &#8211; 15 March.</strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-croome-worcs"><a href="https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week/offers/national-trust-croome-national-trust-croome-free-entry-7-14-march-2026" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Croome</a>, Worcs</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/croomme-1000x667.jpg" alt="national trust house " class="wp-image-81545" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/croomme-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/croomme-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/croomme-400x267.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2026/03/croomme.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">National Trust / Jo Hatcher</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hanbury-hall-worcs"><a href="https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week/offers/national-trust-hanbury-hall-free-entry" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hanbury Hall,</a> Worcs</h2>



<p>Hanbury Hall in Worcestershire dates back to the early 1700s and is a fascinating visit. Admire the huge William Hogarth paintings on the staircase walls and the gran houe, then wander into the formal gardens laid out in neat geometric patterns and onto orchards and woodland trails. Fortify yourself at  the café after exploring. <strong>Free entry from 7 &#8211; 14 March.</strong></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>



<p><strong><em>Want more? Search for your postcode and get the full lowdown at <a href="https://www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/open-week" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Lottery Open Week</a>.</em></strong></p>



<p></p>



<p><strong>In the mood for more great stuff? Try these:</strong></p>



<p><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/16-things-to-do-on-a-rainy-day-gloucestershire-worcestershire/">16 places to go on a rainy day</a></p>



<p><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/rise-dine-14-brilliant-brunch-hotspots-gloucestershire-worcestershire/">4 fantastic family-friendly brunch spots</a></p>



<p><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/14-seriously-fun-playgrounds-and-adventure-parks-for-kids/">14 seriously fun parks and adventure playgrounds</a></p>



<p></p>



<p></p>


Your golden ticket: 8 brilliant free days out for National Lottery Open Week

You may also like