Things To Do In Worcester City & Is It Worth Visiting?

Worcester is a cathedral city in the West Midlands of England, on the River Severn. The city was the location of an autumn midweek break and a glorious trip.

Worcester is a historic city in Worcestershire, best known for its Tudor and English Civil War history. The city has good tourist attractions, including historical buildings and museums.

On admiring the city from above at Fort Royal Park, the number of spires reminded me of a mini Prague. Other things the city is famous for are Edward Elgar, the musician, and, not forgetting, my favourite Worcestershire sauce.

My Visit to Worcester City

I visited with my dog, so dog-friendly places and accommodation in Worcester enhanced my trip. Not everywhere was, but luckily, Puppy loves to sit and relax for a few hours.

The city has diverse options for eating out during the day or in the evening to suit most tastes and budgets. I reviewed all the eateries in Worcester where I enjoyed sustenance while in the city.

Things to Do In Worcester City

Worcester Cathedral

The cathedral is pretty and is on the banks of the River Severn, which enhances its beauty. Worcester Cathedral is located right in the middle of town and is visible from most places within the city centre. They built the cathedral over a few centuries, from 1084 to 1504. It is unique in the way it represents every style of English architecture, from Norman through to Perpendicular Gothic.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the cathedral and recommend having a look around. Admiring the building from across the river at sunrise was a very special moment for me.

Walking the River Severn

The River Severn runs through the city centre and is a big part of the city, with paths on either side to enjoy. You can walk along the old city walls on the city centre side with plenty of benches to sit and watch the river go by. The opposite bank is my favourite part, where you can view the city from across the river. This is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise and autumnal colours of the trees lining the riverbanks. Upstream, the river takes you along the edge of the racecourse and past the rowing club.

For long-distance hikers, the city is on the Severn Way, a walking route. The Severn Way is a long-distance footpath in the UK. It follows the River Severn through Mid Wales and western England and is 224 miles long. If you fancy a lovely walk, Great Malvern is a quick train ride away.

Tudor House Museum

The Tudor House Museum is on Friar Street in the city, a very well-preserved and historic street. Friar Street is home to pubs and restaurants and has many buildings with decorative façades. The Tudor-style black-and-white timber-framed frontage really looks the part. Volunteers, who are very helpful and knowledgeable, run the museum.

This museum focuses on life for people in the city during the Tudor and later eras. They also cover World War 2. You can find out more on their website.

The Commandery Museum

I stepped back in time when I visited The Commandery, a museum that focuses mainly on the English Civil War. The museum is in Charles II’s former headquarters, where he based his forces during the Civil War’s final battle.

Following the route through the building takes you through many historical eras, including the reigns of the Tudors and the Stuarts. The displays here are impressive and even feature visits from some early American presidents, including Thomas Jefferson. You can arrange tickets and find out more on the Commandery website.

Fort Royal Park

Needing somewhere to exercise the dog and empty him before visiting some sights, I wandered to Fort Royal Park. It sits on a small hill overlooking the city and offers amazing views. I highly recommend visiting here, especially on a blue-sky day, to see the city’s spires and an amazing view of the cathedral. For those travelling with children, it also has a fun-looking play area.

Fort Royal Hill has great historical significance as the site of the last battle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentarian army defeated King Charles II here. The second president of the USA, John Adams, recognised the hill’s significance as the place where British democracy was effectively born.

Friar Street

Friar Street has medieval timber-framed buildings to see from the outside. These historic buildings include tourist attractions, such as museums. Some of these buildings also house pubs and cafes, which are pleasant to visit.

Sir Edward Elgar Statue

On the principal shopping street opposite the cathedral is a statue of the composer Edward Elgar, one of the city’s most famous sons. His most famous works include “Land of Hope & Glory” and “Nimrod”.

They unveiled the statue in 1981 as a tribute to a locally significant historical figure. They often regard Elgar as a typically English composer. However, most of his musical influences were continental European, not English.

Find the Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce Factory

One of my favourite sauces, which often finds its way into my cooking, is Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce. For me, this is a versatile ingredient that enhances the flavour of many dishes, especially meats and stews. The factory is located towards Shrubb Hill Train Station, and I felt I needed to visit the home of the sauce. Sadly, the factory doesn’t do tours or have much to see. However, it has some rather funky gates in its distinctive orange branding for photos or selfies.

Edgar Tower

The Edgar Tower was formerly known as St Mary’s Gate. It is part of the cathedral complex and the entrance to King’s School. The tower actually looks like a small castle with turrets. Edgar Tower is very eye-pleasing. You can see this from parts of Fort Royal Hill. The gate was traditionally the entrance to a Benedictine monastery on the site, comprising many buildings adjacent to the cathedral.

Shopping in The City Centre

Worcester has an excellent selection of chains and independent stores. I needed a few things and found the city centre a nice place for shopping. The shops were not too busy on a midweek afternoon.

St Andrew’s Garden of Remembrance

Between the city centre and the river is St Andrew’s Garden of Remembrance. A nice place to sit and relax, with views and a well-maintained garden. This is also home to a rather stunning bell tower. The tower has working bells that chime on the hour alongside the other bells of the city.

The tower, called St Andrews Spire, is the only remaining part of the former 15th-century church. This tall tower stands 245 feet and tapers very narrowly.

Swan Sanctuary

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The section of the River Severn in Worcester is a swan sanctuary. Lots of swans swim and go about their business. Some shops sell swan food so visitors can feed them. On the far side of the river, steps lead down to the water’s edge. This is a great place to get up close. The swans will assume you are carrying food and come over to check you out.

The Museum of Royal Worcester

Another popular tourist attraction in the city is the Museum of Royal Worcester. When you visit, you can see 250 years of history through the world’s largest collection of Worcester porcelain. Their collection dates back to 1751. At the museum, you can see galleries and exhibitions of porcelain, including Admiral Lord Nelson’s breakfast teapot. You can also find out about the workers and artists who made the porcelain and the famous people who enjoyed using it.

Greyfriars House & Garden

An interesting thing to do is to visit Greyfriars House & Garden. This National Trust property on Friar Street features a timber-framed, black-and-white building that looks fantastic. This was a medieval merchant’s house with a walled garden and a tea shop.

A wealthy merchant built the house around 1490, and it remained home to wealthy families until the late 17th century. Then, in 1699, a baker purchased the lease and split it into two, turning it into both homes and shops. They nearly demolished the building in the 1930s; however, it was saved to become a National Trust property in 1966.

The Guildhall

This stunning building on the high street is particularly impressive for its colourful fascia and gates. The Guildhall building dates back to 1721 and has an interesting history. It was once a prison and the county seat of justice.

Currently, it is the tourist information centre and a visitor attraction in its own right. The Guildhall’s interior includes a remarkable assembly room. King George III described it as “a handsome gallery” when he visited in 1788. Inside, you can expect to see the Italianate ceiling and portraits of royalty and former mayors.

Is Worcester Worth Visiting?

Worcester is a lovely small city, and it is well worth visiting. It has unique tourist attractions, including the cathedral and various museums. It’s also fun for a night out at the city’s pubs and restaurants. There are also options for those who like to be active, including some picturesque walks.