10 Amazing Historical Sites in Worcestershire To Visit
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Worcestershire is full of sites that you don’t want to miss if you’re a history lover. The county offers a rich history dating back to the 5th century.
The county is also home to many historical sites that are sure to excite you. There is plenty to discover, from old manor houses to cathedrals to museums.
Worcester is the county’s capital and has plenty of history. However, the surrounding smaller towns also have plenty to offer.
Regular readers will know I’m a big fan of visiting the UK’s historical sites and towns. If you want to hear more from me about that, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter.
Otherwise, read on to discover the history of Worcestershire.
Worcester Cathedral
This is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Worcestershire. The cathedral was first constructed during the Norman period but has been rebuilt and added to over time. It has a giant nave that can hold up to 1,700 people and beautiful stained glass windows.
It is free to enter, and there is plenty to explore in this beautiful and grand building.
You can book a guide to understand the history in more depth or take a rooftop tour.
There are two royal tombs at Worcester Cathedral. The first is that of the young Prince Arthur, the second is of King John – the king who features heavily in the Robin Hood legends.
Make sure to enjoy the gardens out the back of the Cathedral and take the path down for beautiful views over the River Severn. This Cathedral is one of the best things to do in Worcestershire.
If you head down the path from the Cathedral, you are able to walk along the historic Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Follow it all the way up to Diglis Bridge for a lovely walk on a sunny day.
Droitwich Spa
Yes, I am including an entire town on the list. However, I believe it is a beautiful historical sight in and of itself! Droitwich Spa is a town in Worcestershire that was once a famous spa town.
In the 1700s, it was the most popular spa in England, and people would travel from all over to visit.
There’s still plenty of history left behind in this small town, and you can take a walk around the old site. The town centre is full of old, historical buildings, so even a stroll through the town centre can take you back in time.
Due to its history as a spa town, there are lots of water-based sites to explore. Head down to the old, historical canals and take a beautiful, relaxing walk.
Vines Park is a beautiful place to enjoy the scenery, with a large canal running through it. Make sure not to miss the Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre to discover the history behind this beautiful town.
Malvern Hills
The Malvern Hills are a range of hills in Worcestershire. They are one of the most popular hills for walkers and cyclists. The Malvern Hills have many attractions, but some notable ones are the Wyche Cutting, a deep gorge cut through the hills by the Great Western Railway, or the Wychbury Obelisk, a monument commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee that was erected in 1887.
One of the best walks is to head up to the Worcestershire Beacon, the highest point of the Malvern Hills. It provides views over Hereford, all the way over to Wales and the Black Mountains. These are, without a doubt, some of the best walks in Worcestershire.
Head to the Worcestershire Beacon car park for a great location to start your journey to the top of the Malvern Hills.
The historic town of Great Malvern sits at the base and offers stunning views, especially on a sunny day. The Malvern Hills offer many wonderful walks and a variety of flora and fauna to enjoy, too.
It is not uncommon to see birds of prey, and the abundant bluebells make for a gorgeous sight around May, which is one of the best spots to explore in the Worcestershire countryside.
The top historical spot is the British Camp, which holds the remains of an ancient British hill fort. This makes it one of the oldest historical sites in Worcestershire and one of the best things to do in Worcestershire.
Why not head into the town of Great Malvern after your walk? Here you can look around the independent shops and try the local cafes.
Make sure you go to Belle Vue Terrace in the centre of town to try the local Malvern water from a spring and see the statue of Sir Edward Elgar.
Check Out This End To End Malvern Hills Walk
Grace’s Adventures has made an amazing video of her end to end walk of the Malvern Hills.
Check out this video to see what this beautiful area is all about.
Museum of Royal Worcester
The Museum of Royal Worcester is located in Worcester city centre and houses the old collection that used to be showcased at the Worcester Porcelain Museum. The Worcester Porcelain factory was located in Worcester until it closed in 2009.
Established in 1751 by a German company, the factory produced porcelain for over 258 years until its closure.
Now, it has reopened as a museum, and you can visit the buildings where they produced the delicate and timeless pieces.
It holds the most extensive collection of Worcester Porcelain in the world. A vast collection includes some of the company’s oldest pieces.
A visit here can give you insight into designs popular during the Georgian era and into Worcester’s industrial infrastructure.
Hanbury Hall
Hanbury Hall is located near Droitwich Spa in Hanbury. It is a country house situated in a vast expanse of parkland. Built in the early 1700s, it was once the estate of the Vernon family. Today, it is a National Trust Worcestershire property that anyone can visit.
One of the best times to visit is springtime, as some beautiful gardens are located here. Visiting at this time guarantees the best experience of the flowerbeds on one of the beautiful Hanbury Hall walks.
On the Hanbury Hall walks you can walk around the surrounding parkland, the expanse of wide open spaces making for beautiful views of the National Trust gardens.
Otherwise, you can also explore the interiors of the old, impressive house. It is an immersive experience that will take you back in time, still furnished as it would have been when part of the Vernon Estate.
The most impressive part is the painting of Achilles on the main staircase, which is accompanied by images of Greek gods on the ceiling above. This is possibly one of the most beautiful historical sites in Worcestershire.
Almonry Museum
The Almonry is in Evesham and is set in a 14th-century building. The building itself is a beautifully old Tudor artefact, complete with stunning gardens to appreciate.
Inside, it tells the story of Evesham’s history, giving insight into the area’s history over centuries.
Some of the topics you can learn about include the old Evesham Abbey, previously the third largest abbey in the UK; the battle of Evesham in 1265; and fossils found in the local area.
Despite being a small and local museum, the exhibits are held in a beautiful museum, and if you are a history lover, you will indeed find plenty to interest you here.
Whitley Court and Gardens
Whitley Court is located in Great Whitley. It was originally built in the 17th century and expanded in the 19th century to what it is today.
Once a grand estate belonging to the Earls of Dudley, it was ravaged by fire and fell into decline in the early 20th century. Today, what stands are the romantic remains of the grand old Court.
Restoration work has been undertaken, and the Court remains of enormous size and scale, which will take plenty of time to explore.
Its status as a ruin, especially with all the window spaces missing glass, gives this unique sight a ghostly and picturesque feel.
Also attached are the enormous and beautiful formal gardens, containing two impressive working fountains.
There is also a stunning orangery and a church attached. This must be one of the most impressive historical sites in Worcestershire.
Croome
Near Upton-upon-Severn lies 18th-century Croome Court, run by National Trust Worcestershire. It has a rich history, having been visited by George III and Queen Victoria. The main building itself is very grand and available for you to explore.
However, it is still undergoing restoration work, so you should keep this in mind when you visit. There may still be areas that are in a disused state.
The grounds are a particular highlight of this sight. There is also an enormous forest and lake to boot, making it one of the best National Trust locations.
Several structures have been built on the grounds, including a church, a greenhouse, an archway, and two small castles. The site contains a number of delightful surprises, making a visit here a true adventure.
If you prefer an outside walk to an inside tour, you should prioritise this when visiting Worcestershire’s historical sites.
Take a Look Inside Croome Court
This video allows you to take a look around Croome Court to see the magic that lies inside.
The Commandery
The Commandery is a Tudor house smack bang in the middle of Worcester – making this a perfect spot to combine with Worcester Cathedral. It’s best known for being the Royalist Headquarters during the Civil War.
The Commandery has set up a museum to tell the story of the Civil War, which was played out in Worcester. With several exhibits, immersive experiences, and actors in 17th-century dress, it’s an exciting trip.
They often hold events such as treasure hunts and sometimes even plays in the gardens, so make sure to check the website to find out what’s on before you go.
With an exciting way of exploring history and a stunning historic house and gardens, this is a historical sight in Worcestershire for all the family and a great place to learn about Worcestershire’s history.
The Firs
One of the music fans among us, The Firs, is the birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar. The world-renowned composer was born in the beautiful Malvern Hills, which undoubtedly inspired a number of his famous pieces.
You can take a look around the sweet, humble cottage he was born in. It is furnished in the original style, and the cottage garden is planted in the traditional style, too.
Significantly, several pieces of memorabilia are connected to Sir Edward Elgar’s life. Despite being a small building, there is plenty of interest here.
You can even attend talks, which will give you greater insight and appreciation of the composer’s life.
It is a lovely and interesting trip; make sure to add it to your list of historical sites to visit in Worcestershire.
Happy Exploring
That concludes my roundup of the top historical sites in Worcestershire. This doesn’t even nearly cover the number of historical sites to see in this beautiful country; I’m sure many of you will be able to think of others.
Please feel free to write your favourites and recommendations in the comments! I’d love to know about your favourite sites so I can visit more myself.
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope to see you again soon.
Ta-ta for now!
