Worcester is the capital city of the County of Worcestershire and lies beside the River Seven some 25 miles from the Cotswolds village of Broadway. The city's fortunes were based on glove making, pottery manufacture (Royal Worcester Porcelain), salmon fisheries (long gone), and the famous Worcestershire sauce.
At its centre the magnificent cathedral dominates the skyline on the banks of the River Severn. The early twelfth century Chapter House, St Wulstan's Crypt and the mediaeval cloisters are among the most remarkable in the country, and King John's tomb in the Cathedral dates from 1216.
The civil war inflicted terrible damage on the city which was first in declaring support for King Charles I and the last to surrender to Cromwell in 1646. In the second civil war it was the final battle in 1651 at Worcester that finally defeated Charles II.
Three minutes walk takes you to the famous Royal Worcester Porcelain site and its museum, factory and café. Also nearby, the mediaeval Friar Street includes restaurants and bars in the original timbered buildings, and the Greyfriars, a merchant's house built in 1480 next to a Franciscan Friary, is now a National Trust property. The elegant Guildhall of 1721; the Commandery, which was King Charles's headquarters in the Battle of Worcester; the City Art Gallery and Museum; the Huntingdon Hall, Worcester's premier live music venue; and the Swan Theatre are all a few minutes walk away and well worth a visit.
In the County of
Worcestershire
Bordering the
Cotswolds area
20 miles West
of Evesham on A44
3 Miles West of the M5
at junction 7
Near Worcester are the Elgar Birthplace Museum at Lower Broadheath, which provides a fascinating insight into the life and music of this foremost English composer; Witley Court, a spectacular ruin that was once one of England's great country houses, next to an amazing baroque church; Spetchley Park, thirty acres of gardens and deer park; Croome Park, Capability Brown's masterpiece in the Worcestershire countryside.
Worcester retains a number of interesting old houses. The Guild Hall is one of the most gracious Queen Anne buildings in the County and designed by Thomas White (a pupil of Sir Christopher Wren). The visitor to the city can obtain refreshments in the Guild Hall Assembly Rooms.
THE GREYFRIARS
The Greyfriars on Friar Street is one of the most beautiful timber-framed and tiled houses in Worcestershire. The building dates fro c1480 and is now owned by the National Trust.
WORCESTER CATHEDRAL
Work started on the present cathedral in 1084 and continued unabated for 100 years. The visitor today sees a forrest of slender pillars supporting a high vaultd roof. In the centre of the exquisite chancel, in front of the high alter, is the tomb of King John between the shrines of St Wulfstan and St Oswald. On the south side of the chancel is the tomb of Henry VII's eldest son, Prince Arthur.
ROYAL WORCESTER PORCELAIN WORKS AND MUSEUM
The porcelain products rank with some of the worlds greatest. The museum houses a magnificent collection of porcelain and well worth visiting.
SPETCHLEY PARK GARDENS
Covers 30 acres of landscaping and walled gardens loved by professional and lay gardeners alike.
