Summary
Although compact in size, Worcestershire is rich in attractions sure to capture your heart.
To the south lie the Cotswolds, characterized by their charming stone-built villages and uplifting rural landscapes.
Traveling westward leads you to the Malverns, a range of dark, dramatic hills that rise abruptly above the River Severn, which flows north to south towards the Bristol Channel.
Worcester stands out with its stunning cathedral and medieval allure, while the northern part of the county offers insights into Worcestershire’s 19th-century industrial heritage, showcased in restored mills and canals.
Let us examine the top attractions to explore in Worcestershire:
1. Worcester
Affluent and aesthetically pleasing, Worcester serves as the county town and features a unique blend of historical and contemporary elements.
Rows of Tudor homes on Friar Street and New Street are occasionally interspersed with post-war office constructions, yet this does little to diminish the town’s charm.
Worcester Cathedral is the city’s centerpiece, renowned for its significant central tower, chapter house, and Norman crypt.
Greyfriars, a former Franciscan friary, is home to a scenic courtyard and is regarded as Worcester’s most exquisite half-timbered residence.
Moreover, Worcester is the birthplace of the celebrated composer Sir Edward Elgar, whose childhood cottage now features a distinguished museum dedicated to this eminent cultural figure.
2. Malvern
Once a fashionable spa resort in the 1800s, Malvern is now a charming collection of interlinked villages surrounding the historic center known as Great Malvern.
For generations, visitors have flocked to this area for its natural springs and the opportunity to hike the Malvern Hills, an ancient igneous formation.
Overlooking Great Malvern is Worcestershire Beacon, rising 425 meters and serving as a signaling point during significant historical events, such as the Spanish Armada in 1588. At the lower part of the hill is Great Malvern Priory, founded in the 1000s but extensively renovated in the 1400s.
Visitors can enter to admire the intricately carved misericords in the choir, the numerous medieval floor and wall tiles, and the extensive collection of original 15th-century stained glass windows.
3. Tenbury Wells
A charming town on the River Teme, Tenbury Wells is uncommon for its center, which features very few chain retail stores.
This characteristic gives the town a distinct personality rarely found in English towns of similar size.
Many of the structures in Tenbury Wells are even older than they appear, as a number of 17th-century timber houses were given brick facades in the 19th century.
The two pubs, Royal Oak and Pembroke House, showcase their original timber frames and embody a delightful sense of quirkiness.
Even newer architecture, such as the Regal Cinema built in 1937, is noteworthy with its exquisite art deco style, seamlessly integrated with an 18th-century townhouse.
4. Bewdley
Situated along the River Severn, Bewdley is a charming old town featuring tall, flat-fronted townhouses and a bridge designed by the Regency engineer, Thomas Telford.
This town has been welcoming visitors for many years and offers numerous activities for families to enjoy.
From Bewdley, it is easy to access the Wyre Forest for serene walks and an adventure park for children.
Additionally, the West Midlands Safari Park and the Severn Valley Railway, a heritage line primarily used by steam engines, are conveniently nearby.
For those with a taste for craft beer, Bewdley Brewery offers insightful tours demonstrating the brewing process.
5. Broadway
Even in the enchanting Cotswolds, where nearly every settlement boasts charm, Broadway stands out as particularly radiant.
The village’s name originates from an ancient pathway historically used to connect Worcester with London.
The main thoroughfare, aptly named “Broadway,” is a spacious road flanked by charming stone cottages and grand mansions, mostly dating from the 17th century.
This picturesque scene is enough to beguile any visitor.
Broadway also holds significant cultural importance, being a hub of the early-20th-century Arts and Crafts movement, frequented by notable figures such as Elgar, William Morris, and John Singer Sargent, among others.
For delightful country walks, consider ascending Fish Hill or Broadway Hill, crowned by an enchanting medieval-style folly constructed in 1794.
6. Evesham
Situated in the northern foothills of the Cotswolds, Evesham was once home to one of Europe’s largest abbeys.
This monastery was dismantled in the 1500s, but the Almonry, where alms were distributed, features a fascinating museum detailing Evesham’s medieval splendor within a half-timbered hall.
The imposing Gothic bell tower remains as a monument to the abbey, standing in a park where the abbey grounds once lay.
The picturesque River Avon and the surrounding parkland enhance Evesham’s appeal, offering opportunities for boating and scenic walks.
Venturing into the countryside reveals a region celebrated for its fertile lands, producing a bounty of apples, plums, and asparagus.
Timing your visit with the breathtaking blossom season in early spring would be ideal.
7. Pershore
Also located in the Vale of Evesham, Pershore shares a similar legacy of market gardening, surrounded by orchards abundant with pears and plums.
In August, the town hosts an annual Plum Festival, featuring charming events including the crowning of the “Plum Princess.” A relaxed stroll along Broad Street and Bridge Street reveals many Georgian buildings of historical interest, complemented by the architectural intrigue of Pershore Abbey.
The unusual shape of this abbey indicates its partial destruction in the 16th century; however, it still functions as a parish church and houses a notable Norman font.
For hiking enthusiasts, Bredon Hill, rising to 300 meters, offers spectacular views as the last northern extension of the Cotswolds.
8. Stourport-on-Severn
This town is distinctive, having been established in the late 18th century at the confluence of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canals with the River Severn.
This strategic location transformed it into a vital distribution hub for goods ranging from Black Country coal and iron to ceramics from the northern Potteries.
Recent decades have seen sensitive restoration of the canal basins, which now exhibit Georgian elegance.
A heritage trail showcases this historic infrastructure, and the canals themselves are a draw for those interested in hiring narrowboats.
For families, attractions include the Treasure Island Amusement Park and the tranquil Little Owl Farm Park, where children can interact with pygmy goats, piglets, and summer hatchlings.
9. Droitwich Spa
This town is situated above a significant underground brine reservoir, with saltwater so concentrated that it is ten times salter than seawater.
The Romans were the first to utilize these salt deposits, naming the settlement Salinae.
By the 1800s, individuals had started flocking to bathe in the brine to alleviate muscle and joint issues, thus earning Droitwich its title as a spa town.
In summer, visitors can still enjoy swimming in Droitwich’s brine pool, a popular open-air facility.
Furthermore, mid-September brings a Salt Festival, featuring Roman reenactments, ale bars, and market stalls.
At other times, explore the historic high street, characterized by its charming timber-framed shops.
10. Bromsgrove
Less focused on tourism than other destinations presented here, Bromsgrove is a lively town located just a few miles from Birmingham.
However, should you plan a brief visit, you will discover that Bromsgrove offers more than initially meets the eye.
At Stoke Heath, one finds the impressive Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, which features nearly 30 relocated structures that date back centuries, saved from demolition and arranged in an outdoor museum setting.
This includes an extensive collection of telephone booths that were once common fixtures on streets nationwide.
The Worcester and Birmingham Canal draws visitors with its peaceful towpaths and narrowboating options; a short distance from Bromsgrove, one can find the Tardebigge Locks, a series of 30 locks in slightly over two miles.
11. Redditch
Similarly to Bromsgrove, Redditch is an industrial town renowned for its manufacturing history.
The needle-making tradition here dates back to medieval times, and by the 1800s, Redditch was recognized as the needle capital of the world, producing nine out of every ten needles globally.
Consequently, it is fitting that this town preserves its heritage at the Forge Mill Needle Museum.
This museum houses vintage machinery, models depicting factory life, and hosts workshops demonstrating the production of fishing tackle needles and other textile-related items crafted more than a century ago.
If you seek further options, visit the Old Needle Works, enjoy entertainment at the Palace Theatre, or play a round of golf at one of Redditch’s several courses.
12. Kidderminster
Concluding the tour in the northern region of the county, Kidderminster is a substantial town that may not excel in aesthetics but possesses an undeniable charm, primarily due to its Victorian chimney stacks and historic weaving mills.
One of the notable mills is the impressive Stour Vale Mill, now housing the Museum of Carpet.
For those captivated by industrial machinery, visit during noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays to witness the remarkable Victorian power loom in operation.
For additional glimpses of Worcestershire’s rural charm, Hartlebury Castle serves as a Manor House hosting the Worcestershire County Museum, while nostalgic rides on the Severn Valley Railway are always a favorite among tourists.
