With his marvellous Elgar-esque moustache, the owner of Worcestershire’s Little Al’s Kitchen feels right at home in their newly opened venue at Edward Elgar’s birthplace which is under the care of The National Trust.
Little Al’s Cafes, nestled in idyllic Worcestershire locations, have become beloved destinations for locals and visitors alike. With his marvellous Edward Elgar-esque moustache, the cafes owner feels right at home in his latest venture at The Firs – the birthplace cottage of England’s best known classical music composer Edward Elgar, cared for by The National Trust.
Whether you’re a Worcestershire local or a curious traveller, Little Al’s Cafe at The Firs is a wonderful spot for scrumptious food in a contemporary café located in the modern visitor centre, within the grounds of this historical home. The birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar in Lower Broadheath, just outside Worcester, is a quaint cottage surrounded by a classic cottage garden.
In spring and summer, the doors of the café open onto a pretty seating area overlooking seasonal cottage garden planting to inspire and relax you. As you sip your coffee you can soak up its beauty and perhaps share the way Edward Elgar felt about Worcestershire, outlined in the following quote from Elgar’s daughter Carice, who throughout her life helped to establish The Firs as a place to remember him:
‘Whether the countryside makes the genius or however that may be, it is certain that no one was ever more imbued with the very spirit and essence of his own country than Elgar, it was in his very bones. Worcestershire was everything to him – the very look of spring coming, the cottages, the gardens, the fields and fruit orchards were different to his mind in Worcestershire…From walking, driving and bicycling there was very little of the county he did not know, and his memory for every village however remote and every lane however twisty and bewildering was extraordinary.’
While visiting The Firs, you’ll often hear expert talks and music played, so you can listen to some of Elgar’s best known works and learn more about the man behind the music, before or after a delicious visit to Little Al’s.
So, what’s on the menu? – Little Al’s pride themselves on serving consistently great and fair-trade coffee, refreshing teas, and a selection of brunch favourites. At The Firs you can tuck into a wide selection, including hearty soups, slow-cooked ham sandwiches, and not to forget cracking sponge cakes. Many of their options are traditional favourites with a twist, and they swap out ingredients to give you seasonal varieties.
They aim to cater to everyone and offer a selection of alternative goods, such as gluten-free options, milk alternatives, and vegan choices.
Little Al’s award winning commitment – Above all, they stand for serving ethically and responsibly sourced food and drink. It’s important to them to work with local and ethical suppliers to serve you scrummy, comforting, and quality goods.
In 2022, Little Al’s were proudly awarded the Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award for their dedication to implementing the best ethical and environmental practices in their business. The team were delighted to be championed with such a prestigious and momentous award as they pride themselves on maintaining high standards throughout their entire supply chain all the way to the coffee you hold in your hand.
Dog friendly – Well behaved dogs are welcome at Little Al’s cafe as well as in the visitor centre, cottage garden and woodland area at The Firs.
Michelle Fullard, General Manager for National Trust South Worcestershire says “Just like Sir Edward Elgar, Little Al’s Kitchen is a firm fixture in Worcestershire, and we’re thrilled they’ve opened their latest cafe here at The Firs. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Elgar’s first home to see why he never forgot this quintessentially English country cottage and garden while they’re enjoying an excellent coffee and delicious food”.
Visit Little Al’s Café at The Firs and experience warm hospitality every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 10am until 5pm (last orders at 4.30pm) from March until the end of October.
The Firs, Elgar’s Birthplace, Crown East Lane, Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire, WR2 6RH. 01905 333330
The Firs: Elgar’s BirthplaceDrive the Elgar Route
The Firs: Elgar’s Birthplace is the first stop along the scenic Elgar Route, why not carry on and take in the countryside the composer loved while learning about some of his favourite places.
Sir Edward Elgar is renowned as England’s greatest composer, but not many people know the magnificent landscape around The Malverns inspired so much of his music.
Whether you’re a classical music fan or just like touring spectacular scenery and learning about iconic heritage, the Elgar Route will allow you to tour some of England’s finest land – the Land of Hope and Glory.
The Elgar Route takes in a symphony of sights, including Elgar’s favourite haunts and the amazing scenery which inspired so much of his music, including the the Victorian town of Great Malvern, the Malvern Hills and his former residences.
The Elgar Route
