Expect the unexpected at Croome and be amazed by the grandest of English landscapes, ‘Capability’ Brown’s masterful first commissions, with commanding views over the Malverns. The parkland, nearly lost but now restored, is great for walks and adventures, with a surprise around every corner.
At the heart of the park lies Croome court, once home to the Earls of Coventry. The 6th Earl was an 18th century trendsetter, and today Croome follows his lead, working with artists, craftspeople and communities to tell the story of its eclectic past in inventive ways.
Visitors arrive at the RAF visitor centre, once a secret wartime airbase, now a museum celebrating what was a hub of activity for thousands of people.
The Firs: Birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar
Lower Broadheath, Worcestershire WR2 6RH
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.
With a modern visitor centre, you can learn more about Elgar’s inspiration and his work as Britain’s greatest composer. 01905 333330 • the.firs@nationaltrust.org.uk
in Worcestershire
Hanbury Hall
Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 7EA
A country retreat in the heart of Worcestershire. The house and garden, originally a stage set for the summer parties, offer a glimpse into life at the turn of the 18th century.
Don’t miss the original wall-paintings by Sir James Thornhill; full of drama and politics. The original formal gardens, designed by George London, have been faithfully recreated and complement the relaxed later gardens, with orangery orchards and walled garden.
If you venture further afield, our walks into the parkland lead you into the remains of ancient forests and historic avenues.
01527 821214 • hanburyhall@nationaltrust.org.uk
Greyfriars House and Garden
Friar Street, Worcester WR1 2LZ
Set in the heart of historic Worcester, this late 15th century timber-framed house reflected the fortunes of the city for more than 500 years.
Saved from demolition in the 20th century, Greyfriars was brought back to life by unconventional siblings Elise and Matley Moore.
Let us take you on a journey through the layers of history on a guided tour of the house and garden.
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This wonderful county draws visitors back like a magnet year after year.
Great days out ................... 12
Worcestershire offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Don’t miss 22
Our top things to see and do when visiting the region. Shopping .............................. 24
Shopaholics will love this county for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, highstreet staples and quirky independents.
“Enjoy beautiful views from one of England’s best loved heritage railway lines, the Severn Valley Railway” Don’t miss, P23
is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite.
Worcestershire has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure.
Set in the heart of the countryside, The Vale Golf and Country Club and its lakeside cabins are an ideal spot for visiting local attractions such as Cheltenham Races, Stratford upon Avon, The Cotswolds, Worcestershire and many nearby towns.
Our cabins boast stunning views across the lake enhanced by decked balconies, the detached cabin has a superb spa bath facility. We offer some fantastic activities from 2 golf courses, a Toptracer driving range, fishing on the lake, to several walking and cycling routes close by to get a real feel for the surrounding countryside.
Don’t just stay and play; we are open to all, 7 days a week, serving a wide range of food and drinks. The bar and restaurant have a relaxed feel with views overlooking the greens, lake and wonderful hills beyond. We offer something for everyone all year round, from our breakfast and lunch menus, to afternoon teas. Great service is at the heart of everything we do, the Vale team will offer you a friendly, warm welcome.
This wonderful county draws visitors back like a magnet year after year
Welcome, visitor!
Welcome to Worcestershire – and may we congratulate you on your choice of destination.
It’s not all pretty surroundings and lovely vistas, impressive though they undoubtedly are. Worcestershire also has great modern shopping, restaurants, arts and culture, and some of the best places to stay in the country.
The county offers many fantastic attractions, historic houses and beautiful gardens which are open all year round, so finding something to do is so easy.
Worcester Cathedral is one of England’s loveliest cathedrals. Explore the royal tombs of King John and Prince Arthur, medieval cloisters, ancient crypt and chapter house, and magnificent Victorian stained glass.
This great western county played a very
important role in the history of England. The Commandery, famous for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War, brings Worcester’s Civil War Story to life.
Worcestershire has a long association with food and drink. The Vale of Evesham is known as the fruit and vegetable basket of England, and you can enjoy varied and top-notch cuisine throughout the county.
This romantic county also boasts some lovely countryside. The Malvern Hills are ripe for exploring for walkers and just as much fun can be had exploring All Things Wild if you’re visiting with the family.
All in all, you’ve picked a great time to visit this wonderful county, so please enjoy everything it has to offer! ■
The Malvern Hills; ripe for exploring
Worcestershire offers an abundance of things to do with days out and top attractions for the whole family to enjoy
Great days out
Worcestershire may be small in stature but it’s big on fabulous attractions, from bucolic landscapes to historic towns and villages. What’s more, its petite proportions mean that it’s easy to navigate whether your destination is in a town, city or the countryside.
Worcestershire is stuffed full of historical highlights, from timeworn country estates to ancient cities and towns. The majestic Worcester Cathedral is a must-visit and hard to miss, resting beside the River Severn at the top end of Worcester High Street. It’s the final resting place of King John, as well as 13thcentury Chancellor of the Exchequer Godfrey Giffard, King Henry VIII’s elder brother Prince Arthur and former Prime Minister
For a picnic among some seriously atmospheric ruins head to Witley Court
Stanley Baldwin. It’s renowned for its Norman crypt and chapter house.
The English Civil War began and ended in Worcester – once the fourth biggest city in England – with defeat for the Royalist forces in 1651.
The Civil War Museum at The Commandery is a short walk from the cathedral and well worth a visit, as is the Museum of Royal Worcester, a nod towards the city’s industrial heritage.
For an insight into true Worcester culture visit the city’s sporting heroes at Worcestershire County Cricket Club, one of England’s, if not the world’s, most beautiful cricket grounds. A day at New Road is highly
Witley Court was one of England’s finest country houses before it was destroyed by fire in 1937
recommended for any sports lover – but you can also drop in on non-matchdays too.
Worcester is famous for its porcelain, and you can get the lowdown on its history at The Museum of Royal Worcester. Although If you’re more interested in the city’s other legendary product, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, you’ll have to make do with buying a bottle or two. You’re unable to tour the factory where it’s made.
Wintertime visits should be timed to coincide with Worcester’s Victorian Christmas Fayre. It takes place along the medieval thoroughfare of New Street and Friar Street and is full of traders offering seasonal goods, food and drink.
For culture lovers, there’s Worcestershire County Museum at Hartlebury Castle, which was the official residence of the Bishop of Worcester for more than 1,000 years. Visitors can tour the palace’s state rooms and themed galleries featuring costumes, modes of transport and toys.
A short distance away is Harvington Hall, a moated manor house with the largest surviving series of 16th century ‘priest hides’ in the country and a collection of original Elizabethan wall paintings.
Spas & lidos
Into North Worcestershire are the towns of Droitwich Spa and Bromsgrove. Droitwich Spa boasts one of the best outdoor lidos in the country and is renowned for its links to the salt industry.
Visit the permanent exhibition at the town’s heritage centre to learn about its roots though the Roman, Saxon and medieval periods and finally the Victorian era of John Corbett, known as the ‘Salt King’.
At nearby Bromsgrove you’ll find the Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings. The museum houses a collection of 30 historic buildings and fascinating structures from yesteryear which have been rescued and rebuilt. They include barns, houses, churches and haylofts plus the National Telephone Kiosk Collection.
Set in the picturesque village of Dodford, Rosedene was part of a larger Chartist settlement in which around 40 plots were built to resettle people from industrial towns to a life of self-sufficiency.
The house is now cared for by the National Trust, as is Hanbury Hall, midway between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. This 18thcentury stately home standing in glorious parkland and is built of red brick in the Queen Anne style. Elgar’s Birthplace Museum at the Firs in Lower Broadheath, to the west
of Worcester, explains all you need to know about the composer’s life, craft and influences.
For a picnic among some seriously atmospheric ruins head along the Worcester to Tenbury road to Witley Court. It was one of England’s finest country houses before it was destroyed by fire in 1937.
Six miles south of Worcester just off the A38 is Croome. The estate has many charms including a grand country house and beautiful grounds designed by Capability Brown. The Walled Gardens at Croome is the largest Georgian walled garden in the country and a privately funded restoration project by the Cronin family since 2000.
Evesham sits beside the River Avon and is a busy market town with a splendid abbey, once the third largest in the country. Battle of Evesham re-enactments are held every year to bring to life the decisive encounter in the 13th-century Second Barons War.
For maximum olde worlde charm head south of Evesham along the A44 to Broadway. The jewel in Worcestershire’s crown is a l
L Hanbury Hall
I Museum of Royal Worcester
Unleash your inner mixologist during this 3-hour Distillery Workshop in Cheltenham. Whether you are a Gin aficionado or a curious spirit enthusiast, this experience is designed to indulge your senses, ignite your creativity, and deepen your understanding of this beloved craft spirit. During this journey you will learn about the history of gin, the process of distillation and will try Piston’s awardwinning range of spirits, all whilst you enjoy some light snacks. Finally, you will get to take home your original Dry Gin recipe! This unique experience makes for an enjoyable and educational day out.
Photos courtesy Geoff Griffiths & John R Jones
VISIT US AND BE SPOILT FOR CHOICE...
With the three towns of Droitwich Spa, Evesham and Pershore together with nearly 100 villages and hamlets including the beautiful Broadway, visitors can be forgiven for not having explored all the year round wonders available to them. It’s an area of sheer diversity; not only in its surroundings, but also with its offering through unique shopping experiences, entertaining attractions, stunning scenery and a plethora of festivals – great for those looking to escape the bustling cities.
The central location – straddling the M5 and nestled snuggly alongside the Cotswolds – makes Worcestershire’s Vale & Spa a very appealing visitor destination no matter what your interests or length of stay are. The mix between urban and rural settings provide a fascinating experience as you travel between the two with ease. With stunning countryside and scenic Cotswold characteristics the area offers truly breath-taking encounters throughout the year.
Alongside some of the topics highlighted, the area is very proud of its food and drink with a wealth of locally grown and produced items. This fresh produce is arguably best experienced at one of the numerous farm shops, but if you’d prefer to taste the finished product rather than buying the raw ingredients, there is an assortment of world-wide cuisines available. Locally produced alcoholic and soft drinks can be savoured at
canal or riverside hostelries and cafes during the warmer months or next to log fires during the cooler periods.
Quality is of the upmost importance in the area, so alongside numerous award-winning businesses, the district is blessed with five Green Flag status parks, providing a perfect retreat for children and adults alike. Each has its own characteristics, whether it be in the vicinity of an historic building or monument, next to wonderful waterways, or just generally bustling with heritage.
When suggesting activities for a day out in Worcestershire’s Vale & Spa, there’s simply too much to feature within a double-page spread, so why not visit the suggested days out section on our website www.valeandspa.co.uk – explore in more detail what you can enjoy, whether it be an expansion of what you’ve seen here, or captivating you with something new.
Whenever and whatever you choose to visit, you’ll be met with vibrant communities, outstanding natural beauty and an area steeped in history with many stories to tell. Take the time to explore the area’s hidden gems – you won’t be disappointed.
Scan here for event details, attraction listings, exploration guides, trip planners and publications, visit: www.valeandspa.co.uk
A FLAVOUR OF WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
Attractions
From animals to zip-wires, and everything in between – the assortment of attractions available provides fun for all, whatever your age or interest.
Countryside & Scenery
Hills, Cotswold stone, orchards and Green Flag parks to take your breath away - a perfect setting for walks and bike rides.
Waterways
Water sports for excitement, boat rides for relaxation, or beer gardens for a beverage - take your pick on the lakes, canal or rivers throughout the district.
History & Heritage
Marvel at majestic buildings and monuments with heritage spanning thousands of years - there’s plenty to learn and enjoy.
Retail
Commemorate your visit by shopping at the independent businesses for a unique item in delightful shopping environments.
Events
Including regional award-winning events, the summer is packed full of themed and quirky festivals – a must visit if you’re in the area.
beautifully kept, quintessentially English village with a single grass-lined main street, Cotswold honeyed stone buildings and small streets crammed with cafés, shops, restaurants and hotels.
Nearby you’ll find Broadway Tower, the brainchild of Capability Brown and an iconic landmark from where you can scan the Cotswolds and Worcestershire. William Morris once used this extraordinary folly and the second floor hosts an exhibition dedicated to his life and work.
Also close to the town is quirky Snowshill Manor, a 16th-century country house best known for its 20th-century owner, Charles Paget Wade, who amassed an enormous collection of objects from model boats and Samurai swords to toys and an attic filled with bicycles.
From gentle strolls through rolling hills to adrenaline-pumping woodland activities, there’s plenty to keep you going in Worcestershire’s great outdoors.
No extended stay in Worcestershire is complete without a visit to the Malvern Hills – an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Spanning some eight miles up hill and down dale there’s enough to keep you walking in the Malverns for days if you wish. Most visitors head for British Camp and the highest point of the hills at Worcestershire Beacon (1,394 ft) from where you can look across into Wales and over to the Bristol Channel.
It’s easy to see how Elgar and authors including CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and George Bernard Shaw drew inspiration from this scenic area and why contemporary cultural figures such as violinist Nigel Kennedy decided to make the hills their home.
Malvern is best known for the purity of its natural spring water – bottled commercially and a companion of British monarchs from Queen Elizabeth II to Queen Victoria, who is said to have refused international travel without it!
For motorists, the easiest access route to the hills is from the British Camp car park on the A449 Worcester to Ledbury Road. The region is also well served by railways and buses. If you’re up for a proper challenge you could always tackle the Worcestershire Way, a 31-mile trail from Great Malvern to Bewdley.
A day in Wyre Forest is highly recommended and there are plenty of funfilled activities on offer. Wyre Forest Discovery Centre near Bewdley offers scenic woodland walks, cycle tracks and horse trails, as well as perfect picnic spots and Go Ape challenges to conquer.
You can hop aboard the Severn Valley
Railway, one of the UK’s best-loved heritage railway lines, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth in South Shropshire. The 16-mile journey can make a great day out in itself with walks in the lush countryside and stop-offs at nearby hostelries.
Located on the A456 between Kidderminster and Bewdley is West Midland Safari Park. Home to some of the world’s most beautiful and endangered exotic animal species, the park also offers rides for all ages.
If you fancy a really immersive experience, stay the night at one of their safari lodges and peep into the animal enclosures from the comfort (and safety) of your own room!
The Vale of Evesham
With views to the Malvern Hills, Spetchley Park Gardens near Worcester has been home to the Berkeley family for more than 400 years. Successive generations of the family have collected rare plants, shrubs and trees from around the world, creating a magical and diverse garden to appeal to all ages.
The Vale of Evesham is renowned as one of the country’s richest fruit and vegetable growing areas and as you drive through the area, you’ll encounter many roadside stalls offering fresh locally grown produce and plants which are available to purchase.
If you’re visiting the area in late-June to mid-July, take time out to visit the Confetti Fields at Wick, near Pershore, where delphinium and wildflowers in long sweeps of pastel colours are grown before being turned into confetti. Viewing galleries and vantage points are available.
We think you’ll agree that Worcester is overflowing with fabulous attractions, so you’re sure to find something to suit your tastes, whether you’re a history buff, an art lover, an outdoorsy type or all three! ■
Go Ape, Wyre Forest, Bewdley
DON’T MISS
Our top things to see and do when visiting this picturesque region
1
Get jazzy in Upton on Severn
The small riverside town hosts a lively three-day jazz festival on the final weekend of June each summer, attracting leading performers and many thousands of visitors. Upton is also home to a folk festival in May, a blues festival in July and the Sunshine rock and pop festival the following month.
2
Relax at Croome
Originally built for the Earl of Coventry in the 18th century, Croome’s mansion and landscaped grounds shaped by visionary architect Capability Brown are the perfect places to lose yourself. It is also home to one of the UK’s finest Georgian walled gardens and a 1940s-themed café, a nod to the former World War II base RAF Defford located nearby.
3
Step out on Broadway I Worcestershire’s quintessentially English picture-postcard village, Broadway offers a charming step back in time and you can couple your visit with trips to nearby Broadway Tower, a unique Capability Brown folly tower, and the National Trust-owned Snowshill Manor.
4
Hit the shops
Big names sit snugly alongside independents in the county’s high streets offering gift options galore. Worcester also hosts an annual Victorian Christmas Fayre, with more than 200 stalls lining the streets and a wide-ranging programme of entertainment spanning four days. The fayre really gets the festive season off to a lively start.
5
Enjoy the vibrant culture
From West End productions to festivals galore, Worcestershire can satisfy even the hungriest culture vulture. Art, music, theatre, literature, comedy, dance, poetry – it’s all here.
6
Come alive in the Malvern Hills
An area of outstanding natural beauty which inspired composer Sir Edward Elgar and offers stunning views to 13 counties. For the energetic, British Camp and Worcestershire Beacon (the highest point) are a must. If you can only manage a short hike, visit the source of the Queen’s favourite non-alcoholic tipple, fresh Malvern Water from St Ann’s Well.
7
Take a wander around Witley Court
One of Victorian Britain’s great country houses, Witley Court was reduced to a spectacular ruin following a fire in 1937. Originally built for well-to-do ironmaster Thomas Foley in the 18th century and later sold to the Earl of Dudley, the iconic country house and grounds have been preserved by English Heritage. Highlights include formal landscaped gardens, woodland walks and the Perseus and Andromeda fountain. Witley Church is a Baroque masterpiece.
8
Ride the Severn Valley Railway k
One of England’s best loved heritage railway lines cuts through the Wyre Forest into Shropshire with plenty to see and do along the way. Sit back and relax as you enjoy beautiful views on your journey. Severn Valley Railway is run by dedicated and helpful volunteers.
9
Get
in
tune with Elgar
Study Exhibition, Cottage Garden and Visitor Centre.
10
History & Heritage
England’s greatest composer Sir Edward Elgar was born and raised in the county
I England’s greatest composer Sir Edward Elgar was born and raised in the county. He also died and was buried here. Worcestershire’s landscapes, in particular the Malvern Hills, inspired his work and his story can be followed via the Elgar Route. Make sure to visit the composer’s birthplace, The Firs at Lower Broadheath, where you can explore the Birthplace Cottage, Elgar
Worcester is one of the oldest cities in the country with evidence of settlements dating back to 700BC and thanks to its function in the creation of the Magna Carta, it is said by some to be the birthplace of democracy. The last battle on English soil was fought in Worcester on 1651. Edward Winslow, who travelled on the Mayflower to North America in 1620 and founded the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts, was born in Droitwich Spa. ■
SHOPPING
Shopaholics will love this region for its eclectic mix of boho-chic boutiques, high-street staples and quirky independents
Whether you’re a fan of leading high-street brands or are passionate about supporting independent traders, Worcestershire is the perfect place to scratch that shopping itch. From large malls to antiques markets, you’ll find it all here.
If it’s high-street bargains you’re after you won’t leave Worcestershire empty handed. You’ll find malls, arcades and pedestrianised shopping streets in which to indulge your shopping habit.
With more than 60 high-street homeware, fashion and beauty stores as well as a large
The Hop Pocket has everything from gift shops to a gallery
multi-storey car park and a bus station, CrownGate Shopping Centre is a must visit. Retailers include Primark, House of Fraser, New Look and The Body Shop. Once you’ve worn yourself out browsing, there are plenty of places to stop for a quick coffee or relaxing meal including Bill’s, The Wildwood Kitchen and Anatolian Palace, a Turkish grill restaurant.
Worcester’s pedestrianised High Street is home to the splendid Guildhall, which regularly houses craft and gift fairs, plus all the major names you’d expect to find in a
landmark city. Shoppers can browse the threestorey Marks & Spencer, which has a large food hall and café. Other stores include River Island, Paperchase, Tiger and Accessorize.
Set opposite Worcester Cathedral and close to the Elgar statue is Cathedral Square, an exciting blend of retail and pleasure. Head here for popular stores such as H&M, Hotel Chocolat and Next as well as bars and restaurants including Pizza Express, Miller & Carter, YO! and ASK Italian.
Just a short cut through from the High Street is The Shambles with its wide range of popular retailers including Waterstones, TX Maxx and The Entertainer nestled snugly alongside independents such as Robin Elt Shoes.
For out-of-town shopping, there are three retail parks to choose from in Worcester. Blackpole Retail Park and Elgar Retail Park stand alongside each other in the suburb of Blackpole, while Shrub Hill Retail Park sits right beside Shrub Hill train station.
Nearby Kidderminster is known for its carpet manufacturing, but you don’t need to be in the market for a new rug to shop here! Instead, you can browse the offerings at one of four shopping centres, three of which are in the middle of town.
A shopper’s paradise
Weavers Wharf houses major names including M&S and Next and has a large car park plus cafés and restaurants. The Swan Shopping Centre has a Specsavers and a Poundland, while Rowland Hill Shopping Centre – named in honour of the Kidderminster resident who invented the pre-paid postage stamp – offers shops including The Early Learning Centre and Ryman. Just out of town, Crossley Retail Park is home to a large supermarket as well as a Smyths Toys and a Mountain Warehouse.
Is gardening your thing? Make a beeline for Webbs at Wychbold on the A38 between Bromsgrove and Droitwich Spa. As well as checking out plants and garden furniture you can browse some of the on-site chain retailers, which include Lakeland, Cotswold Outdoor and Hobbycraft. If you’re hankering after a brew, there’s a popular café here too.
For more mainstream shopping action, try Droitwich Spa, which has mainly pedestrianised shopping areas including St Andrew’s Square. Or Bromsgrove, which has a long pedestrianised High Street.
Redditch, meanwhile, is home to the Kingfisher Centre which has 140 stores including Primark, Waterstones and The Range plus plenty of cafés for a reviving coffee. The covered centre has extensive parking and
easy access to bus and railway stations.
If you find yourself around Evesham, your bargain hunting skills won’t go to waste! Evesham Shopping Park has a Next, Boots, M&S Foodhall and Argos, while The Valley Evesham offers top brands including Fat Face, Barbour and Regatta and has bucolic country surroundings.
The centre of Great Malvern is home to numerous local independent stores as well as big brand stores such as Waitrose, Wilkinson’s and Fat Face. The out-of-town Malvern Shopping Park hosts household names such as M&S, Argos, Matalan, Halfords and Next.
It’s easy to find quirky, one-off shops in Worcestershire. There’s everything from boutiques selling high-end fashion to vintage stores selling furniture and retro clothing.
Worcester is a haven for independent businesses and over 60 per cent of the city’s traders are exactly that. On almost every street you’ll find one-off gifts, luxury fashion and jewellery, collectables, antique discoveries, everyday items and so much more. l
L Peplow Jewellers, Worcester j The Hop Pocket, Bishop’s Frome
Alongside the big names in CrownGate Shopping Centre are The Retro Sign Company and Cornucopia Worcester, named Britain’s best small shop of 2020.
It took home the accolade after mother and daughter owners Clare and Hannah Bishop opened its Trouva boutique online during lockdown.
Flying the flag for independents on the pedestrianised High Street are Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shop and Peplow Jewellers, one of the oldest family firms in the country. Head to nearby Reindeer Court and you’ll find high end ladies clothing at Fuel, luxury lingerie at Embrace, established jeweller Ian Quartermaine and newcomer Neighbourhood Deli, which offers both home-made and locally sourced artisan produce.
For even more independent goodies, make for New Street, Friar Street and Charles Street. Anja Potze Fine Jewellery is a premium destination for rings, earrings and necklaces, while Emporio and Espada have an excellent reputation for designer and occasion clothing.
If you’re into all things vintage, you won’t leave Worcester disappointed. Pedestrianised Mealcheapen Street has a clutch of cool charity shops, while The Tything, which is the go-to street for antique and vintage shops selling everything from military
memorabilia to stylish homewares. Located just off Foregate Street is The Hopmarket, an elegant former hotel that’s home to a mix of independent traders and cafés.
If you’re in the market for some new tableware, you’re in luck! Worcester is renowned for Royal Worcester Porcelain, which was established in 1751 and is one of the oldest remaining English porcelain brands still going strong today. Although the brand is no longer produced in Worcester, products are available in the Museum of Royal Worcester shop on Severn Street with all profits going towards the care of the collections.
Visual arts
A short drive to the north of the city leads to Bevere Gallery, a major centre for the visual arts in Worcestershire with high quality displays and sale of works by nationally known ceramicists and artists.
There are ceramics and sculptures in the grounds and if you fancy picking something up, there are etchings, prints, woodcuts and a range of art and craft books, cards and magazines for sale. If you love all things Christmassy, make sure to visit in late November, when the Worcester Victorian Christmas Fayre livens up the streets.
This fabulous and festive street fair draws
The Valley, Evesham
in visitors from the UK and beyond with its Victorian-themed characters, tasty street food and stalls selling crafts, delicious street food and gifts.
As well tempting food and drink you can enjoy a fantastic programme of entertainment. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for Victorian characters in Gin Lane, lofty entertainers on stilts, musicians on numerous stages and buskers on every street corner. No Victorian fayre would be complete without a carousel and fun fair and kids of all ages can’t wait to jump aboard the Galloper in the Cornmarket and be whisked around to the sound of the traditional barrel organ.
Fans of gardening will enjoy The Hop Pocket Shopping Village in Bishop’s Frome. This quirky shopping village is spread over a number of old, agricultural buildings and has everything from gift shops to footwear to the Greenstage Gallery, which puts on exhibitions by local and national artists. Feeling peckish? Pick up some sweet treats at the food hall or stop by the Farmhouse Family Restaurant for a light lunch or afternoon tea.
Traditional crafts
Close to the village of Hanbury with views across the Worcestershire countryside is Jinney Ring, a traditional craft centre where visitors can watch skilled craftspeople at work in atmospheric, 200-year-old barn buildings. A wide range of quirky gifts and craft items are available in the large gift shop and there is also a mini farmers’ market at weekends. Special events including festivals and exhibitions are held throughout the year. If you want to combine country views with some retail therapy, The Valley Evesham is your best bet. It has free parking and visitors can enjoy dog-friendly walks in unspoilt countryside after browsing the mix of big name and independent stores.
Handily located just off the A46, it’s also home to the Evesham Vale Light Railway and rail buffs can travel over a mile on 15inch gauge track through idyllic countryside, enjoying a picnic before catching a return service. To whet your appetite for future travels, make for The Map Shop in the small riverside town of Upton on Severn. It boasts one of the largest inventories of maps and travel guides in the world.
With more than 55,000 items in stock. Established in 1975 by Tony Atkinson who began selling maps as a hobby, the business is the UK agent for the official survey authorities for most of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA and is an Ordnance Survey Mapping outlet.
The centre of Great Malvern is home to numerous local independent stores including Malvern Book Cooperative and fashion store Cox of Malvern as well as big brand stores. Close to the border with Shropshire, Tenbury Wells is a bustling town that’s full of independent traders.
Just over a mile to the west of the town lies Burford House Garden Store. Once a Georgian house set in seven acres of ornamental gardens, it’s now a garden centre, café and retail outlet.
Head for the north Cotswold village of Broadway and you’ll find quintessential English charm in abundance as well as an impressive selection of fashion boutiques, homeware stores and souvenir gift shops offering local hand-made crafts.
Art galleries and antique shops are particularly special here. For a unique piece to treasure, hotfoot it down to The Old Print Gallery or Cheltenham House Antiques, an antiques, silver and jewellery dealer.
Wannabe fashionistas should check out the High Street, where upmarket labels are in abundance. Try Slate Clothing for a large selection of ladieswear, Slate Shoes for footwear, or Audrey’s of Broadway for luxury lingerie. Rather stock up on accessories?
Visit La Bulle and La Petite Bulle, both stockists of RedMeg leather handbags, which are produced in the Cotswolds. For beauty and interiors your best bet is hip boutique Tonic Broadway.
All the high-street names that you desire can be found in the county’s malls and high streets, but the real draw is the fabulous independent shopping. Browse the many antique shops, visit tempting food markets or pick up some stylish threads at a chic boutique. There’s no chance of going home disappointed! ■
Anja Potze Fine Jewellery, Worcester
EATING OUT
Worcestershire is a foodie’s paradise with a host of fantastic restaurants, cafés and pubs – so make sure you bring a healthy appetite
Worcestershire is fast becoming a haven for foodies. It’s one of the UK’s major food production areas and the county’s eateries make excellent use of this fresh local produce. With a wide range of dining options from country house hotels to gastropubs and delis you won’t be going hungry any time soon! Some of the best food in the county comes courtesy of hotel dining rooms. And the best part is
you don’t have to be staying there to enjoy it.
There are few more stunning settings for a meal than Stanbrook Abbey, set in the village of Callow End between Worcester and Malvern. Until around a decade ago this former 16th-century abbey served Benedictine nuns rather than the general public! There’s no stuffy and unwelcoming décor here, though.
Stanbrook Abbey’s restaurant, The Refectory, is a relaxed brasserie-style space serving dinner, afternoon tea and Sunday lunch. It presents a constantly changing and creative menu of dishes showcasing seasonal ingredients alongside classic favourites.
Wood Norton Hotel near Evesham, built for exiled French royal Duc D’Orleans and his family, boasts the Fleur de Lys Brasserie,
The Refectory restaurant, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Worcester
which isn’t unnecessarily over-fussy or formal. The menu is modern, varied and seasonal with more than a nod and wink to the Vale of Evesham and its local produce.
Brockencote Hall in the mid-Worcestershire village of Chaddesley Corbett has been awarded three AA Rosettes for the outstanding cuisine at its Chaddesley Restaurant. The menu champions the county’s artisan producers and changes frequently with the seasons so you can expect flavoursome dishes brimming with imagination. For the ultimate gastronomic treat try the sevencourse tasting menu.
Set in a grand medieval building, Eckington Manor in Pershore combines fine dining and luxury accommodation but that’s not all! An in-house cookery school gives diners and visitors the opportunity to learn more about how good food is sourced, prepared and cooked.
Stylish hotel
The Manor serves British and European dishes – all with a twist using produce from its own awardwinning farm, orchard, vegetable and herb gardens. Set on a 1500acre farm outside the village of Whitbourne is Crumplebury – a stylish hotel with an equally stylish farm-to-table restaurant called the Green Cow Kitchens.
Everything is locally sourced, mostly from the venue’s very own farm, which is reflected in a seasonally changing menu. In winter, expect pheasant, partridge and duck on the menu. Throughout the seasons, the chefs forage for wild garlic, hedgerow berries, damsons, plums, apples, pears and elderflower.
Many of Worcestershire’s best hotels are set around the touristcentric Malvern Hills with a strong focus on high quality cuisine. These include L’amuse Bouche at the Cotford Hotel in Malvern. This award-winning two AA Rosette restaurant serves up creative French-style cuisine.
At the Mount Pleasant Hotel in the heart of Great Malvern is the Mulberry Tree Restaurant. It sits
opposite the site where literary legend George Bernard Shaw planted a mulberry tree to mark his 80th birthday in 1936. Moving to the north of the county, The Orangery at the Old Rectory House in Redditch specialises in British fare with a modern twist.
Russells of Broadway describes itself as a restaurant with rooms and serves Michelin-recommended British food to the local Broadway glitterati. Perched above the village you’ll also find Dormy House, an award-winning hotel with stunning views and a restaurant menu that’s both creative and seasonal.
The Refectory, is a relaxed brasseriestyle space serving dinner, afternoon tea and Sunday lunch
Michelin-starred restaurant
Pensons is a relatively new kid on the block on the Herefordshire and Worcestershire border near Tenbury Wells. Based in an exposed brick barn, this Michelin-starred restaurant has more than a whiff of London’s Shoreditch about it. Want to stay the night? There are two chic, cosy bedrooms in the restaurant courtyard.
There’s a whole host of fabulous restaurants in this county, whether you’re looking for traditional British or something more adventurous. Want the chance to try several different tastes in one sitting?
Head to one of the county’s many food festivals. Worcestershire isn’t all about hotels and county houses. For an urban culinary experience, you’re spoilt for choice in l
Pensons, Tenbury Wells
Worcester city centre.
In Cathedral Plaza and CrownGate Shopping Centre you’ll find the usual high-street chains clustered together, but there are also several independent bars and restaurants offering something deliciously different.
Modern British cooking
Spread over two floors of a Grade 2-listed Georgian building in The Cross is Centenary Lounge, which was shortlisted for a Restaurant and Bar Design Award in 2020. The ground floor has a 1930s Art Deco theme whilst the upper floor takes inspiration from the building’s original features with a Georgianstyle tearoom.
Pride of place location-wise goes to Browns at the Quay on South Parade, and The Old Rectifying House on North Parade. Both overlook the mighty River Severn and offer beautifully presented modern British cooking. Relatively new to the city’s dining scene is
Fuego Neapolitan Pizza & Grill in Foregate Street, which serves traditional wood-fired pizzas and Mediterranean dishes.
A short walk away from city centre is Ostlers at Number 1. Ideally situated for Worcester Racecourse and the Swan Theatre, the restaurant has been serving imaginative, top-quality food for over two decades.
Chesters Restaurant & Bar is a lively Mexican eatery with an extensive menu including a large selection of vegetarian dishes.
Also in the city centre is Friar Street Kitchen, whose owners are passionate about serving locally sourced British food. Nearby, GLOBE Modern Bistro is an independent family-owned bar and dining room serving creative seasonal food.
Set in the village of Cutnall Green between Droitwich and Kidderminster, Entouraj Indian Kitchen and Bar aims to bring Indian dining bang up to date,
fusing traditional cooking methods with innovative techniques to create a memorable dining experience.
If your preference is for a modern café bar experience, many restaurants vary their act depending on the time of day. Take the Terrace on the Hill in Great Malvern, for example. It’s a high-end café in the daytime, and a fine dining restaurant for one weekend night every week.
Fantastic gastropubs
It’s a long time since country pubs offered little more than a ploughman’s lunch or a crusty cob. If you’re out and about in Worcestershire, you’ll discover fantastic gastropubs just about anywhere.
Among the best of these is the Fox & Hounds at Lulsley near Malvern, which was voted best Worcestershire pub of 2019 in the National Pub and Bar Awards and is another seemingly unimposinglooking pub from the outside l
Entouraj Indian Kitchen and Bar, Kidderminster, Droitwich
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with traditional décor inside.
Don’t be fooled – once again, the focus is on locally-sourced food and good quality ales, lagers and ciders. Also close to Malvern you’ll find The Inn at Welland, The Baiting House at Upper Sapey and The Swan Inn at Hanley Swan, all of which serve refined pub meals.
In the south of the county is The Royal Oak at Evesham, The Jockey Inn near Pershore and The Dewdrop Inn at Lower Broadheath – handily placed if you are visiting The Firs, birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar. To the north, The Hop Pole Inn at Bewdley is highly recommended.
In the Vale of Evesham, they take their local produce seriously – well, to a point – and asparagus is king. Evesham Asparagus is an internationally recognised protected delicacy. The jolly green vegetable has been awarded the same European Protected Food Name Status as Champagne, Cognac and Roquefort cheese.
The asparagus has its own annual festival to celebrate the growing season. Launched by the British Asparagus Growers Association in 2006, the British Asparagus Festival comprises a series of themed events every April, May and June. It even has its own mascot – Gus the Asparagus Man, obviously.
Among the fun activities taking place on or around St George’s Day you can take a coach tour around the Vale’s key asparagus-related locations on the aptly named Asparabus, including the famous The Fleece Inn at Bretforton.
For more fun-filled foodie action, The Royal Three Counties Show, which is held at the Three Counties Showground near Malvern in June, has a strong emphasis on locally produced food and drink.
Other popular Worcestershire food and drink festivals include the Great Malvern Food Festival, Eastnor ChilliFest (Herefordshire technically but right on the border), Droitwich Spa Food and Drink Festival, Pershore Plum Festival, Worcester Sausage and Cider Fest and the Broadway Food Festival.
To fill yourself up with foodie
The British Asparagus Festival comprises a series of themed events every April, May and June
treats and festive spirit, visit Worcester for the Victorian Christmas Fayre, held annually on the last weekend of November. It showcases a huge range of street vendors proffering alfresco food and drink of all types, from spiced biscuits to boozy hot chocolate.
From country hotels to gastropubs to chic eateries there’s something for all in Worcestershire. This county is proud of its local produce, so wherever you choose, you can be pretty sure it’s seasonal, fresh and delicious! ■
Two-Course Afternoon Tea
Corbett,
The Swan Inn, Hanley Swan
Only here for the weekend? Fear not! Here are some ideas for a memorable short break
WEEKENDER
DAY ONE
Start the day with a cappuccino in one of Worcester’s independent coffee shops before visiting the city’s impressive Norman cathedral, a place of prayer and worship for 14 centuries. Friendly guides will point out key features including the tombs of King John and King Henry VIII’s elder brother Arthur.
Once you’ve explored the cathedral, take a short stroll to The Commandery, which brings the story of the city’s important role in the Civil War to life, or the Museum of Royal Worcester housing the world’s largest collection of Worcester porcelain.
Independent cafés
Take your pick of Worcester’s wide range of independent cafés and eateries including Francini Café de Colombia in Angel Place and Burger Shop under the railway arches in Cherry Tree Walk.
Hop in the car and follow the Elgar Route, which takes in a symphony of sights including the composer’s favourite haunts and the scenery which inspired his music.
Must see locations include Elgar’s birthplace The Firs in Lower Broadheath, the Victorian town of Great Malvern, the Malvern Hills with Elgar-themed walks including Worcestershire Beacon and British Camp and his grave at St Wulstan’s Church.
Book a table at one of Worcestershire’s most iconic venues, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel at Callow End. Its brasserie-style restaurant The Refectory offers diners a relaxed yet creative menu of seasonal dishes with a strong focus on regional influences.
DAY TWO
Time to explore the Wyre Forest area in the north of the county starting with the Severn Valley Railway, which chugs merrily for 16 miles through lush countryside from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. Relax in your seat, sip a hot drink, read a book or simply enjoy the ride. Younger members of the family may prefer a few hours at the nearby West Midland Safari Park, which
combines a big (and small) beast experience with fun rides for all ages, or climbing up into the trees at Go Ape Wyre Forest.
Savour a meal on board the Severn Valley Railway or head to one of the many characterful pubs in the Wyre Forest area including The Mug House Inn, which has an AA Rosette restaurant, or The Hop Pole. Both are in the picturesque riverside town of Bewdley.
Round off your weekend at one of Worcestershire’s many heritage attractions. Tune in to an audio
The Malvern Hills overlook the Victorian town of Great Malvern
guide at Witley Court, one of England’s finest country houses before its destruction by fire in 1937.
Alternatively, head for Croome, with grounds designed by Capability Brown or Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings near Bromsgrove, home of the national telephone kiosk collection.
Finish with a visit to one of the Worcester’s fantastic restaurants including Rajkot in The Tything (Indian), The Olive Branch in Church Street (Mediterranean) or Thai on 7evern in Sidbury. ■
The Malvern Hills
Culture vultures assemble! Worcestershire offers the perfect mix of galleries, museums, exhibitions and festivals
Culture Club
If you’re in Worcestershire to soak up some culture, there’s a huge selection of theatres, concert halls and galleries to keep you going. Time it right and you can take in one of the county’s lively festivals too!
Worcestershire is a county that loves to celebrate! There’s a lively calendar of festivals to keep both locals and tourists happy as well plenty of live music performances – many inspired by local boy Sir Edward Elgar.
Even if you don’t know the name Sir Edward Elgar, you’ll have heard his music. From rousing renditions
of ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ at the Last Night of the Proms to the stirring strains of ‘Nimrod’ from Enigma Variations at major events, Worcester’s favourite son is part of Britain’s cultural landscape. Wherever you are in Worcestershire, Elgar’s influence is rarely far away. A statue opposite Worcester Cathedral – often sporting a traffic cone on New Year’s Eve – plus a retail park, café and businesses all bear his name. Follow the Elgar Route and visit his birthplace in the village of Lower Broadheath as well as the Malvern Hills that inspired him.
If you want to keep things classical, the Worcestershire-based English Symphony Orchestra has a long and distinguished history of collaboration with instrumentalists, composers and conductors including Nigel Kennedy – a former Malvern resident – Steven Isserlis, Daniel Hope, Michael Tippett and Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
Also promoting a passion for classical music across the county are the Worcestershire Symphony Orchestra, Wyre Forest Symphony Orchestra and Worcestershire Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Upton Blues Festival has grown from a small event to an internationally renowned extravaganza
Unsurprisingly, music plays a central role in many of the county’s cultural events. The Three Choirs Festival is a weeklong programme of choral and orchestral concerts, cathedral services, solo and chamber music recitals, masterclasses, talks, theatre, exhibitions and walks, rotating every summer between the cathedral cities of Worcester, Gloucester and Hereford. The world’s oldest non-competitive classical music festival, it celebrated its 300th anniversary in 2015.
Fans of all ages of the spoken word will find much to enjoy at the annual Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe in June. The festival’s mission is to promote literature by connecting writers and readers. Events at the festival include seminars, workshops, poetry slams, competitions and children’s activities.
Established in 1960 as a celebration of the arts and culture, Bromsgrove Festival has hosted many world-famous performers
and artists. A wide range of events running for one month from June into July, the festival comprises concerts, walks, drama and poetry.
Cool cats should get down to the Upton Jazz Festival, a four-day celebration of jazz, swing and blues held each June in the riverside town of Upton upon Severn. Weekend or day tickets give access to every venue and if you really want to get into the spirit of things, you can watch a vintage-themed parade and take part in a jazz church service.
Taking place in July, the Upton Blues Festival has grown from a small event in 2001 to an internationally renowned extravaganza with many thousands of music fans, two main stages, an acoustic stage and a clutch of pub venues creating more than 150 free performances.
July also sees The Evesham River Festival, one of the longest running festivals in the UK. It’s a glorious celebration of life along the river and includes beautiful boating parades, steamboat rides and a
fantastic selection of food and drink.
The fun ends with a spectacular fireworks display. Rock, pop and tribute acts take centre stage down by the riverside in Upton every August Bank Holiday weekend with the Sunshine Festival, which celebrated its tenth birthday in 2019. Running for two weeks every August is the Worcester Festival, a family-friendly mix of workshops, live music, arts and crafts, tours, exhibitions, drama, spoken word events and even a Pet Blessing Service at Worcester Cathedral.
Founded in 2008, Worcester Music Festival is a free, volunteerled event which runs for three days every September. As well as listening to local musical talent, you can brush up on your own skills through a wide range of workshops and masterclasses. Spoken word and comedy events also feature in the programme.
Bewdley, on the banks of the River Severn, has hosted a starstudded festival blending music, poetry, history, literature and l
Malvern Theatre, Great Malvern
Explore this beautiful 16th century building, full of unique treasures and fascinating stories. It’s situated in the heart of the city, on the prettiest street in Worcester
Open Wednesday-Saturday 10am-4pm, last entry 3.30pm
Home to a wonderful collection illustrating how medicine and healthcare have developed over the past 250 years and how these changes have transformed our lives. View our fascinating death masks and reconstructed apothecary shop, and admire the 18th-century amputation chair.
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
George Marshall Medical Museum, Charles Hastings Education Centre, Charles Hastings Way, Worcester WR5 1DD
01905 760738
THE INFIRMARY MUSEUM
The former Worcester Royal Infirmary building hosts an interactive exhibition of healthcare in Worcester from 17542002. Meet the characters who revolutionised medical history with the formation of the British Medical Association and those who devoted their lives to helping patients. Family friendly.
Open: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, Saturdays 10am to 4pm
City Campus, Castle Street, University of Worcester, Worcester WR1 3AS
01906 542373
comedy since 1988. Past performers at the October event include Rick Wakeman, Bill Bryson, Steven Berkoff and Simon Armitage.
It’s easy to get a dose a culture in Worcestershire. Musicians and comedians – including Ben Elton, Mark Steel and Nick Lowe – have graced the stage at The Swan Theatre in Worcester. And the year always ends on a high with a traditional pantomime with local references galore.
The Swan is also home to Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask company, who relocated from the Worcester Arts Workshop.
Want to take in an outdoor play?
Worcester Repertory Company’s summer theatre production in the garden of The Commandery is well worth a look.
Worcester Rep turns its talents to Shakespeare every autumn with acclaimed performances at atmospheric city venues, from Huntingdon Hall to Worcester Cathedral.
If you want to enjoy a West End show without a costly trip to London, Malvern Theatres pulls in the big touring productions. A provincial centre for the arts since the Assembly Rooms were built in 1885, the complex has an impressive reputation. Among the A-list actors to have trod the boards are Donald Sutherland, Sir Derek Jacobi, Leslie
Nielsen and Dame Diana Rigg.
Smaller scale productions, world-class musicians, comedy and poetry are on the menu at the Forum Theatre – formerly known as the Winter Gardens. It’s also home to a cinema showing the latest blockbusters as well as smaller independent films.
North Worcestershire is blessed with a wide range of venues hosting live shows and cultural activities all year round. These include the Palace Theatre in Redditch, the Rose Theatre and the Town Hall in Kidderminster and the Norbury Theatre in Droitwich Spa. Both the Rose and Norbury theatres have dedicated and highly regarded amateur companies.
Worcestershire has plenty to offer on the visual arts front too. Housed in an elegant Victorian building in the heart of the city, Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum has engaging and interactive permanent galleries. Temporary exhibitions are staged throughout the year.
Worcester’s historic Royal Porcelain Works have been redeveloped and the site includes exhibition spaces, a distillery and the Henry Sandon Hall – a multiuse arts and entertainment venue.
Work is underway on the transformation of Worcester’s Victorian railway arches into a major new cultural quarter. An
initial five arches will be converted into studios and workspaces for local artists and creative businesses. There’s more culture to be had on the outskirts of the city at Bevere Gallery. The gallery showcases the work of nationally known ceramicists and artists and has a wide range of sculptures in its courtyard and grounds. The charming café is a perfect sun trap.
Traditional skills are on show at the Jinney Ring Craft Centre near Hanbury. You can see artisans at work in 200-year-old barns. Leather, wood, glass and clay are all represented, and there’s a violin maker on site at the centre, which hosts seasonal festivals and exhibitions.
A gem on the southern edge of the county is the Broadway Museum & Art Gallery, based in a 17thcentury building in the eponymous Cotswolds village.
The museum explores the village’s heritage and tells the story of its success through the wool trade and its popularity with artists and travellers. Its unique collection includes paintings, porcelain and artefacts curated by the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
The museum is also home to the work of artist Willard Wigan MBE, who creates the world’s smallest works of art. Wigan’s sculptures are smaller than a grain of sand and invisible to the naked eye. Thankfully, they come with microscopes so all can enjoy them.
If you want the chance to speak to some local artists, Worcestershire Open Studios takes place across the county in August. Since 2015, this artist-led initiative allows you to visit creatives at their workplace.
Alongside fine art and abstract painters, visitors can discover art forms as diverse as glass fusing, printmaking on vintage machinery, handloom weaving, illuminated calligraphy, green woodworking, textile art and ceramics. Entry to all venues is free.
From its festivals to its music to its museums and galleries, this county has a wealth of art and culture to experience. Get out and soak up as much of it as you can! ■
Jinney Ring Craft Centre, Hanbury
After dark
The night-time economy is thriving, packed with clubs, pubs, bars and music venues
Worcestershire isn’t all about quaint villages and rolling hills. Whether you want to dance into the early hours, take in a live band or enjoy a star-studded West End theatre production, you’ll find something to entertain you after the sun goes down.
If you want the biggest night out in the country, you’ll have to stick to Worcester. Head outside the city and you’ll find plenty of bars and pubs for that quiet drink or boozy evening.
Walk through Worcester’s centre on a Friday and Saturday evening and it’s obvious that this city loves a party. Tramps in Angel Place is the largest club in town and the partner venue of the University of Worcester Students’ Union. It has three huge rooms and is well known for guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Professor Green, The X Factor winner James Arthur and Skepta. Tramps has two partner venues. The Velvet Lounge is a stylish over 21s venue offering a lively vibe across three rooms and an eclectic mix of music including funky house, smooth R’n’B and Motown classics. Mode Sports Bar & Grill is the place to watch live sports events on 20 HD TVs. For a big night out in Worcester, Bushwackers is an absolute must. Nicknamed ‘Bushies’ by the locals it’s renowned for its DJs and evening events.
The Trinity Street venue gets busier as the night goes on and there are three bars to choose from plus a downstairs R’n’B cave known as The Crypt. Partner venue Sin Nightclub in New Street is the traditional starting point for nights out and parties.
Keystones Cocktail Club in Copenhagen Street has established an impressive reputation for its bartenders and cocktail makers, who create an easy-going atmosphere in vaulted underground rooms decorated with pop art and graffiti. If a drink and a catch up with friends is more your thing, then Worcester has plenty of welcoming pubs in the city centre.
Top picks in Worcester include the Hand in Glove on College Street, Tonic Craft Beer & Cocktail Bar on
If a massive range of beer is important to you, try the TripelB Belgian beer café
Foregate Street and Bolero Bar and Kitchen in Cathedral Square.
If a massive range of beer is important to you, try the TripelB Belgian beer café. Located in Copenhagen Street, the café stocks more than 100 finely crafted variations and also serves hot and cold food.
For the finest in artisan booze get down to Craft Inn Worcester, where you can hang with the hipsters and sample some great craft beer and organic wine.
Outside the Worcester area, Marilyn’s Nightclub on Bridge Street, Evesham has been a firm fixture on the town’s social scene since 1985, while Nubu in Kidderminster welcomes reality TV favourites for meet and greets.
In the north of the county 57 Monkeys, based in Bromsgrove, plays R’n’B and 80s and 90s indie music. Also gaining an excellent reputation in Bromsgrove is tap room and coffee shop Bayleys, based on Worcester Road. Visitors can expect cool tripped out hip hopstyle beats while they enjoy a drink. Wine and gin bar Decanter Spirit is also worth a visit.
Excellent pubs can also be found in Evesham, which sits beside the River Avon and has a splendid abbey. It’s home to the real ale pub The Trumpet Inn and Ye Olde Red Horse, a timber-framed 15th-century coaching inn which regularly appears in the Good Beer Guide. There’s not much more invigorating than live performance. And luckily for you, Worcestershire offers theatre, comedy and music in spades. l
TripelB Belgian beer café, Worcester
Worcester’s much-loved The Marrs Bar in Pierpoint Street was designed by musicians for musicians and it’s an ethos appreciated by the acts that appear here. The sound quality is exceptional thanks to a state-ofthe-art sound system maintained by in-house engineers. The building was originally a dance studio and still has the original sprung dance floors installed in 1958 – so there’s no excuse not to get on your feet!
Every Wednesday is Jam Night with instruments set up for anyone who wants to turn up and play. An acoustic hour for amateur singers and songwriters is followed by the house band with guest players.
Widely regarded as Worcester’s most prestigious live music and entertainment space, Huntingdon Hall is a leading venue for folk music but is also known for comedy, classical music, blues, jazz, world music and blues as well as spoken word events. Located in Deansway, it’s also home to the Astaria String Quartet and the world-renowned English Symphony Orchestra.
The Hall had a former life as a Methodist church called the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapel and was a thriving religious centre in the early 18th century. Wooden pews and other period features still remain as a nod to its former glory.
Huntingdon Hall’s partner in rhyme and rhythm is The Swan
Another thriving community arts venue is Number 8 in Pershore
Theatre, which hosts live music nights covering a wide range of genres alongside theatrical productions.
Rapidly making an impression on the city’s party scene is The Sociable Beer Company in Britannia Road. Every Friday night is live music night at the brewery and the stage has been graced by rock, blues, roots, folk and country music bands.
The live music options continue with Bottles Wine Bar and Drummonds, both in New Street, Monroe’s Cellar Bar in Foregate Street, The Firefly in Lowesmoor, Heroes in Friar Street and The Lamb and Flag in The Tything, which all have a loyal following of gig enthusiasts.
Outside Worcester, Worleys at The Swan on Stourport-on-Severn High Street has created a shrine to that golden era of music – the sixties. The Swan’s quirky interior, which features guitars on the wall and music magazines galore, reverberates to the sound of live music of all genres throughout the week all year round.
Stourport is determined to keep its visitors, many of whom hail from the neighbouring Black Country and Birmingham, entertained. Pubs The Black Star in Mitton Street and The Lodge in Lombard Street both serve up live music at weekends.
For a rather more structured evening out, Worcestershire has an impressive selection of arts venues showcasing actors, dancers, comedians and musicians at the top of their game.
Malvern Theatres is the county’s go-to destination for the finest productions including new works travelling the UK before transferring to the West End. Tense drama, toe-tapping musicals and laugh-out-loud comedies all feature here. The stylish and contemporary venue, which was given a £7 million refurbishment in 1998, also incorporates the iconic Winter Gardens – renamed the Forum Theatre.
The Winter Gardens was once one of the few places in the county where you could see rock and punk groups from across the UK
and overseas. Legendary bands including Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, The Jam, The Stranglers and Joy Division all took to the stage. Three decades on, the Forum Theatre still welcomes household names such as guitarist John Williams and folk veterans Steeleye Span.
Another thriving community arts venue is Number 8 in Pershore. Music and drama are on the menu and visitors can also enjoy live screenings of productions taking place at the National Theatre and Royal Opera House.
In the Wyre Forest region of the county, the Rose Theatre in Kidderminster hosts both amateur and visiting productions plus music nights.
Film buffs won’t have to travel far in Worcestershire to check out the latest blockbusters or lowbudget gems. Worcester has two multi-screen cinemas, Friar Streetbased Vue and Odeon in Foregate Street, and there’s also a Vue cinema in Redditch’s Kingfisher
j Number 8, Pershore L Sociable Beer Company, Worcester
Shopping Centre.
In the south of the county, the Regal Cinema in Tenbury Wells is a fantastic example of a beautifully restored Art Deco cinema. It now benefits from a modern heating system, on-site catering facilities and technicians.
Along with its namesake in Tenbury, the Regal Cinema in Evesham offers a refreshing change from the multi-screen giants. Audiences can watch films at candlelit tables on the ground floor or cosy up double love seats, regular seats or one of four royal boxes.
Proud of its status as a true community venue, the Regal also hosts live music and comedy nights. Past performers include Danny Baker and Ed Byrne.
There’s a lot happening in Worcestershire after dark, so you’ll find something to entertain you whatever your mood. Take in a film or play, listen to live music at a friendly local pub or dance the night away in a sprawling Worcester nightclub. ■
Although Worcestershire has more than enough to keep you busy, a journey further afield can make for an exciting new adventure
Time to explore
Worcestershire is a truly an excellent base for exploring the wider West and South Midlands regions which provide a cornucopia of cultural experiences.
Due east is Warwickshire, widely known as Shakespeare Country, and Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Discover the Bard’s birthplace in the town centre, his grave in Holy Trinity Church, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, Mary Arden’s Farm and the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. One of Britain’s finest castles, Warwick Castle, also offers an excellent family day out.
Heading south, Worcestershire forms a natural gateway to the Cotswolds starting with Broadway. From here you can venture forth into Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire where you’ll find picturesque Bourton-on-the Water, Stow-on-the-Wold, Bibury and Chipping Norton. Larger towns and cities including Cheltenham, Bath and Cirencester all have distinctive rich histories, character and charm. West of Worcestershire beyond the Malvern Hills lie Herefordshire and Mid Wales with the breathtaking scenery of the Golden Valley, Wye Valley and Black Mountains. Book lovers will find plenty to enjoy at Hay-on-Wye, home of the famous book festival, while the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park is a must-visit for hikers. Eastnor Castle and the quaint towns of Bromyard and Ledbury lie just across the border.
Cosmopolitan, multi-cultural Birmingham is 25 miles north of Worcester. Highlights include shopping centres, museums, art galleries, sport and music venues –plus Cadbury World for chocolate lovers of all ages. The city, which
hosted the 2022 Commonwealth Games, can be easily reached by train, bus or car.
Worcestershire is also handy for cricket matches at Edgbaston Stadium, home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club, or football matches at Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers or West Bromwich Albion.
You may also want to keep an eye out for big name concerts and exhibitions at the National Exhibition Centre in Solihull.
For industrial heritage, there’s no beating the Black Country, epicentre of the industrial revolution – just don’t lump it in with Birmingham if you don’t want to upset the locals!
A day out at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, where Peaky Blinders was filmed, gives visitors an authentic slice of life, industry and endeavour. Historically, until 1974, most of the area was part of Worcestershire. Dudley also boasts the Merry Hill shopping centre.
Carrying on the industrial theme, north west of Worcestershire is Shropshire. Ironbridge Gorge with its splendid iron bridge is the true cradle of the industrial revolution. The towns of Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth and Ludlow are also worth a visit. You could even venture into Shropshire along the Severn Valley Railway.
Moving into South Staffordshire, Kinver Edge combines sweeping views, a wildlife haven in the heath and unique homes carved into the rock. The Holy Austin Rock Houses have been lovingly restored and just outside is the heathland of Kinver Edge. A relaxing walk along the sandstone ridge offers views across the surrounding counties from the ramparts of an Iron Age hill fort. ■
Wye Valley, Herefordshire
Golf Golf FOOD
Come and experience the best of both worlds!
The little theatre with BIG entertainment The little theatre with BIG entertainment
Discover the ‘House of Secrets’, a house of near untouched beauty hidden deep in the Worcestershire countryside.
Harvington Hall is no ordinary Elizabethan Manor, we boast:
• One of the largest collections of Renaissance wall paintings, many of which are completely unique in their design.
• The most Priest Hides in the country, into which enthralled visitors can step and have a completely first-hand experience.
• Tranquil moated gardens providing a welcome respite accompanied by our friendly ducks.
• Onsite Coffee Shop offering a locally sourced, artisan menu, in our historic Malthouse.
Harvington is more than just a wonderful historic building offering captivating Guided Tours. We also run ‘Living House’ events where you can enjoy a truly immersive Tudor experience, you will see many aspects of Tudor life played out before your very eyes.
As well as out Tudor Living History events we host a range of other events including our week-long History Festival and Wreath Making workshops. For a truly unique experience you can also see the Hall by Candlelight. Either at one of our Candlelight Tours or at one of our immersive evening events the Hall is even more captivating by night!
Here at Harvington we strive to create long lasting memories.
