10 places in Worcester you have to visit at least once

Since then, it has been a Saxon settlement, a medieval market town, a civil war battleground, a manufacturing powerhouse, and now a cultural centre.

Yet several locations in the city stand out as being places you just need to see at least once...

Worcester Cathedral (Image: Submitted)

Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral can be dated back to the seventh century, when the first Cathedral was founded. Since then, it has received two reconstructions, with the more recent breaking ground in 1084, during the days of William the Conqueror.

The Cathedral has a close connection with royalty, as the altar is the resting place of two significant members of royalty: Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII who died before he could ever reach the throne, and King John, the monarch who signed the Magna Carta. 

After being badly damaged during the English Civil War, it took several decades before the
Cathedral was returned to its former glory.

Outside of religious commitments, the Cathedral now hosts dozens of event and concerts thought the year.

The Commandery

The Commandery

Most famous for its use as Charles II's headquarters at the end of the English Civil War, the Commandery has served numerous purposes in its lifespan, stretching across hundreds of years.

The building hosted monks who operated it as a hospital during the medieval era. After the Civil War, the building turned from a place of war to a place of education, being used as a college for the blind. 

Within the past century, the Commandery was used by Littlebury Printworks until 1973, when the company was forced to close, and the building was sold to Worcester City Council. 

Residents can now visit the Commandery as a museum, telling the story of the City's history.

Spetchley Park

Spetchley Park

While technically not in Worcester, the estate is too popular among locals to leave out. 

Spetchley Park Estate stretches across 3,000 acres and is home to agriculture, woodland, homes and businesses. But its magnum opus would be the carefully curated gardens.

The gardens have undergone a major revival in the past decade, designed to truly bring the history of the Estate back to life. Thanks to lottery funding, a Heritage and Learning Centre opened in 2017, using vacant cart sheds as their frame. In the centre, visitors can discover the 400-year history of the Spetchley Estate.

A view of the Cathedral from Fort Royal Hill

Fort Royal Hill

Situated behind the Commandery, Fort Royal Hill is known for its importance during the final battle of the English Civil War, the Battle of Worcester.

When the battle had reached a stalemate in the city, Parliamentarian forces captured the heavily defended hill from the Royalists and turned their guns onto city, leading to much of the damage done to landmarks like the Cathedral.

While the hill's elevation may have been of strategic advantage to the armies of the civil war, Fort Royal is now the perfect place for picturesque views across the city.

The King Charles House (Image: Newsquest)

The King Charles House

Continuing with the Civil War theme, the King Charles House on New Street earns its name from a famous moment in British history that occurred after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. 

It was from this simple, timber-fronted building that King Charles II evaded capture by the Parliamentarians after his defeat. A plaque commemorating the daring escape can be read outside the entrance.

The House now serves as a pub, but retains much of the historic atmosphere that makes it so popular among locals and tourists.

Friar Street

Friar Street

It is impossible to pick out just one part of this historic market street, so we've gone with the whole thing.

This street, nestled between Charles Street to the north and the A44 to the south, combines contemporary brick buildings with traditional timber fronts dating back to the thirteenth century.

While the street may only stretch for 250 meters, there is enough to keep visitors entertained and engaged for hours. Dozens of independent shops and restaurants are scattered across the lane, with popular attractions like Greyfriars and the Tudor House hidden away.

Huntingdon Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Huntingdon Hall

Huntingdon Hall is a truly unique theatre as it was never designed to be a theatre. The Grade 2 listed building opened as a chapel in 1773. The chapel, named after the Countess of Huntingdon who built the chapel, survived for nearly two centuries before being closed down in 1976. 

The chapel would be repurposed in 1987 to become Worcester's second theatre, alongside Swan Theatre. The 350 capacity is split across two floors, giving a feeling of grandeur to the modestly sized theatre. 

Huntingdon Hall now hosts a blend of comedy, music and drama throughout the year.

The Severn Way passing by Worcester Cathedral

Severn Way

The River Severn is the heart of the Worcester, running alongside the city centre on the east bank, and the meadows to the west. Alongside each embankment lie pathways that close hug the river's edge. These paths run uninterrupted from Hawford junction at the City's northern border, to Broomhall at its south. 

Along this scenic walk, you can pass landmarks like the Racecourse, the County Cricket Club, and Diglis Marina. 

Museum of Royal Worcester

Museum of Royal Worcester

For 200 years, Worcester has become world-renowned for two things: its sauce and its porcelain, the latter of which can be viewed at the Museum of Royal Worcester. 

Named after the company that has produced the ceramics for a quarter of a millennia, the Museum holds largest collection of Worcester porcelain anywhere in the world, with numerous collections with differing ages and styles. 

The Museum holds exhibitions and workshops to get people interested and involved in ceramics. 

Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum

City Art Gallery and Museum

The Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum is an ever-changing collection of artifacts from throughout history. Situated inside a Victorian era building, the museum constantly rotates its exhibitions, to ensure there is always something new. 

With free entry, visitors can explore collections thoughtfully designed by the curators as many times as they wish.