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The Firs
Birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar
Elgar’s Birthplace, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH
Important notice
The Firs is now closed we will reopen on Friday 14 February.
Opening times for 23 December 2024
Asset Opening time House Closed Visitor centre and Cottage Garden Closed MTWTFSS2526272829301234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303112345OpenPartially openClosedWhole Property
Ticket type Gift aid Standard Adult £11.00 £10.00 Child £5.50 £5.00 Family £27.50 £25.00 1 Adult Family £16.50 £15.00 Group Adult £9.50 Group Child £4.75 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
Bookshop
Dogs allowed
Dogs are welcome on leads within the visitor centre and the cottage garden. Assistance dogs only in Cottage and Cafe.
Car park
Toilet
Designated mobility parking in main car park. Wheelchair access to visitor centre and garden - limited wheelchair access to cottage. Accessible toilet located in visitor centre.
Accessible toilet
Level access/terrain
Designated parking
Seating available
Drop-off point
By road
From the north or south via the M5, exit at Junc 7 and follow A44 Worcester South. Follow A4440 around the south of Worcester then A44 towards Bromyard, turn off right after 0.4 mile. Follow the brown signs for Elgar Birthplace. From the west follow A44 towards Worcester and turn left into Crown East Lane at the brown signs for Elgar Birthplace.
Sat Nav: Follow directions to postcode WR2 6RH and the brown signs for Elgar Birthplace.
By train
The nearest railway station is at Worcester. From the station we suggest a taxi or public transport. See below for bus information.
By bus
Take the Astons 308 from Crowngate Bus Station in Worcester which passes The Firs and alight at the nearest stop. 308 - Worcester - Martley. Alternatively take the 420 from Crowngate Bus Station in Worcester. Alight at Crown East Lane and walk for app 15 mins to Elgar Birthplace. 420 Hereford to Worcester via Withington and Bromyard
Elgar’s Birthplace, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH
Planning your visit
Article
Christmas at The Firs
The Firs opens in December with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and natural decorations. For the first two weekends it will be open to all to enjoy the festive environment, then the last two weekends we will be running our Meet Father Christmas experience so all tickets will need to be booked in advance.
Concerts and events at The Firs
Discover live music and special events taking place at The Firs, Elgar's Birthplace.
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Visiting The Firs with your dog
The Firs is a one pawprint rated place. Following Elgar’s great love of dogs, The Firs welcomes dogs on leads in the cottage garden, woodland area and visitor centre. Enjoy a dog friendly visit to Elgar’s birthplace.
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Group visits at The Firs
Here’s everything you need to know about booking a group visit to the house and garden at The Firs.
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Highlights
Elgar's Cottage
The birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar, this small family home is set in the midst of a delightful cottage garden and with sight of the Malvern Hills. Stand within the four walls of the humble cottage where he was born and be immersed in a world that Elgar believed already contained music that was there for the taking.
Cottage garden
Planted in the classic cottage garden style, the garden offers a place to sit, reflect, and admire a vast array of seasonal flowers and plants, throughout the year. There is also an orchard and woodland to explore.
The Elgar Visitor Centre
Discover exhibitions giving a real insight into Elgar's world. With historic collection's including many of Elgar's personal belongings and artefacts, photographs, videos and interactive displays, there is so much to explore in our visitor centre.
Play activities
Musical adventures await, with our family friendly outdoor Sound Garden and free to play piano in the visitor centre. Spend time outside in our pretty cottage garden and woodland areas, hunting for bugs in bug hotels and wild areas.
Eating and Shopping
Visit Little Al's cafe at The Firs you can be sure that every piping hot latte, sumptuous homemade cake and tasty brunch is served with a smile. They're proud winners of the Visit Worcestershire 2022 Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award for their dedication to implementing the best ethical and environmental practices in their business. Browse through The Firs large collection of quality second-hand books, CD’s and LP’s, all at great prices which help to support our work at The Firs.
Rent out one of our spaces
Looking for a space to hire out? Here at The Firs, we have plenty of rooms to suit your needs. Our venue holds a unique place in British history as a site which honours the life of Sir Edward Elgar the man behind ‘Nimrod’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. We have multiple spaces within our visitor centre which can be used to hire out and are perfect for classes, meetings, conferences and concerts. We are located just 4 miles (only a 10-minute drive!) from the city of Worcester. Email the.firs@nationaltrust.org.uk for more information.
Spotlight events
Article
Christmas at The Firs
The Firs opens in December with Christmas trees, twinkling lights and natural decorations. For the first two weekends it will be open to all to enjoy the festive environment, then the last two weekends we will be running our Meet Father Christmas experience so all tickets will need to be booked in advance.
Father Christmas at The Firs
For two weekends in December, Father Christmas is visiting The Firs along with some of his elves. His best elf will help you make a Christmas decoration before you head to the idyllic cottage to meet Father Christmas and receive a small gift. Booking essential.
Things to see and do
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Explore the garden at The Firs
Explore the cottage garden at The Firs, birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar. Discover seasonal borders, the Sound Garden, and sit beside Elgar’s statue as you take in views of the Malverns.
Article
Things to see and do at The Firs
The small family home which nurtured the creative genius of Sir Edward Elgar. Visit the cottage where he was born and learn more about his life and work in the visitor centre.
Article
Eating and drinking at The Firs
At Little Al's cafe at The Firs you can be sure that every piping hot latte, sumptuous homemade cake and tasty brunch is served with a smile. They're proud winners of the Visit Worcestershire 2022 Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award for their dedication to implementing the best ethical and environmental practices in their business.
Article
Things to do with family at The Firs
Spend time surrounded by musical inspiration in the pretty cottage and garden at The Firs and make music with instruments in the sound garden.
Top trails
Trail
A walk in Elgar country
Explore the Worcestershire countryside around the village of Lower Broadheath, Elgar's birthplace, where the composer loved to roam, on an easy circular walk.
Places to stay
Hanbury Lodge
At the entrance to the Hanbury estate, this handsome lodge has miles of walking trails on the doorstep.
South Wing
A second floor apartment within Hanbury Hall with stunning views over the 18th century Parterre.
Upcoming events
Event
Meet Father Christmas at The Firs 2024
For two weekends in December, Father Christmas is visiting The Firs along with some of his elves. His best elf will help you make a Christmas decoration before you head to the idyllic cottage to meet Father Christmas and receive a small gift.
Event
NEW DATE - Elgar’s cello music
We now have a new date to the cello concert which was postponed due to the storm in December. This cello and piano recital with talk is not one to miss. This will be our first event of 2025 and sponsored by the Elgar Society.
About The Firs
The birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar is most definitely home to ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. Set in sight of his beloved Malvern Hills, this small family home in the village of Lower Broadheath is the perfect environment for nurturing a creative genius. Perhaps by wandering around the garden over the cottage threshold a spark of inspiration may alight in our welcomed guests.
Things to see and do: The Elgar Study Exhibition, The Birthplace Cottage, Cottage Garden and Visitor Centre.
Dogs: Assistance dogs welcome throughout the property. Dogs are welcome on leads everywhere except inside the Birthplace Cottage and Cafe.
Note: nearest toilet at visitor centre.
History
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Sir Edward Elgar at The Firs
Discover more about Sir Edward Elgar, his early days at The Firs, the cottage where he was born, and his life, loves and accolades in the years that followed.
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Sir Edward Elgar at his leisure: The Firs
Despite being a prolific composer Elgar found much time to indulge his variety of hobbies. Find out more about his favourite football team, his terrible luck at horse racing, and his chosen companions in later life.
Our work
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Our conservation work at The Firs
See how we care for our collection of objects from Elgar’s past, including the composer’s own piano.
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Our work in the garden at The Firs
Discover more about Elgar’s childhood garden and the work we do here.
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Curating Elgar at The Firs
Discover more about the Curating Elgar project, a project which looked to make his music relevant for a wider audience through musician-led community workshops and plan your visit to see Curating Elgar at The Firs.
Support us
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Volunteer at The Firs
Find out more about current volunteering opportunities at The Firs, and how you might get involved.