If you are looking for somewhere to stay that is a little less sleepy, an historic Cathedral city, a cultural centre, somewhere with more to do, more places to visit, more places to eat, and yet within reach of the Cotswolds (Broadway is less than 23 miles, 37 minutes away), then Worcester has a lot going for it.
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. 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.
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. And that hasn't even started on the Cotswold villages that are described in other parts of this website.
If you are staying in Worcester you will need somewhere central yet away from the traffic, somewhere you can walk back to after an evening concert or nightcap, somewhere friendly and welcoming. If these are your priorities, then you could hardly do better than Burgage House, a Georgian mews house in a cobbled pedestrian way along the east end of Worcester Cathedral. Far enough from the traffic to be quiet, yet with easy access to the historic heart of the city and shops and restaurants, Burgage House is an historic house on a mediaeval street that was largely rebuilt in the 1700s. Behind its period frontage lies a curving stone staircase that is thought to be Victorian and leads up to spacious, comfortable rooms with high ceilings and original sash windows. Those at the front have unique views over Worcester Cathedral.
The bedrooms have all the facilities you would expect: en-suite bath or shower rooms; coffee and tea making equipment; hairdryers; TVs; radios, but the rates are much more affordable than the equivalent accommodation in a large hotel. There is a downstairs room for those who prefer it, and the B&B is totally non-smoking.
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