Worcestershire the county that has inspired many great writers and composers including the works of Edward Elgar one of Britains best composers.
Also the home of Worcester Porcelain Worcestershire sauce Morgan sports cars and Malvern Spring water.
A most beautiful county in the Heart of England lying between the ancient Malvern Hills and the mellow Cotswolds . Worcestershire is easily accessible with excellent road and rail links and offers visitors a truly splendid mix of traditions heritage and beauty.
The county is steeped in history with evidence of ironage hill forts Royalists headquarters stately homes magnificent churches Victorian follies famous spa towns and industrial heritage sites. Its wealth of attractions guarantees that visitors are never short of things to do.
Worcester City with its splendid Cathedral set on the banks of the river Severn offers visitors a delightfully relaxed shopping experience alongside a fascinating mix of attractions. You can browse amongst Royal Worcester Porcelains shops or enjoy over 350 years of history at the Commandery museum pivotal in the English Civil War and the only Civil War museum in the Country.
The city is also the venue for county cricket major horse racing and worldclass rugby events.
Worcestershire offers a wonderful array of events throughout the year. The new Malvern Theatre presents a firstclass programme of arts and drama whilst Upton upon Severn is the venue for the Upton Folk Festival in May The Jazz Festival in June and the Water Festival in August. The Three Counties Showground stages two major gardening events in spring and autumn and the Three Counties Show in June attracts visitors from far and wide.
Worcestershire is a gardeners paradise with a wide variety of awardwinning attractions from walled cottage gardens to specialists collections of Spetchley Park or the beautiful walled gardens of Stonehouse cottage garden. Visitors can explore a magnificent Arboretum near Wolverley or admire the landscapes sculptured by Capability Brown at Croome Park . The largest garden centre in the Midlands is to be found at Webbs of Wychbold just off junction 5 on the M5.
Rivers and canals have helped shape the beautiful Worcestershire landscape and played an important role in the life styles of many towns and villages. Britains longest river the River Severn flows through the county and the attractive Georgian towns of Bewdley and Stourport on Severn are well worth exploring. Riverboat trips during the summer offer a tranquil journey along this delightful river.
The River Avon also meanders the county passing the lively market town of Evesham and Pershore with its famous Abbey. Both rivers are popular for boating and fishing and are the setting for numerous events throughout the year.
For those who enjoy walking either strenuous day walks or more leisurely countryside strolls Worcestershire has many miles of waymarked footpaths for visitors to explore and some lovely country parks nature trails and forest trails.
Major attractions in the county include Britains premier steam railway the Severn Valley Railway Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings the once magnificent stately home Witley Court now a fire ravaged ruin and its splendid Baroque church Hanbury Hall and Harvington Hall
