Local information - history
The historic City of Worcester is awash with heritage both inside the city boundaries and beyond. With early beginnings as a settlement in the Iron Age period and home to one of England’s most magnificent cathedrals, it has become a popular modern day place to live, conveniently located for the commuter and lovers of the countryside. The views of the Malverns are stunning and it is easy to see how their beauty and grandeur inspired many musicians, writers and poets, the most famous being Sir Edward Elgar and J R R Tolkein.
Worcester is twinned with the German city of Kleve and is famous for Royal Worcester Porcelain, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce and being the birthplace of Sir Edward Elgar.
Places to visit
At the heart of the City is the imposing Cathedral rising majestically above the River Severn. Dating from the 12th century, there are royal tombs, medieval cloisters, the ancient crypt and chapter house to visit as well as some sublime music to listen to from the Cathedral Choir. The Cathedral also hosts concerts as part of the Three Choirs Festival in rotation.
Worcester has many sporting venues to be proud of from Cricket at New Road, Horse Racing at Pitchcroft and Rugby at Sixways, home to the Worcester Warriors. On a cultural front there is the Swan Theatre, Huntingdon Hall and the Theatres in nearby Malvern offering something for everyone all year round.
Shopping opportunities are plentiful - from the superb (and dangerous!) independent shops in the ancient cobbled street close the city centre, Friar Street, to national chains and the wonderful new Cathedral Plaza. The City enjoys a plethora of shops, boutiques, bars and restaurants and for those who seek a wider range of facilities, it is within easy reach of Birmingham, Cheltenham and Stratford. Other tourist attractions include The Commandery, the Elgar Birthplace Museum, The Guildhall, Greyfriars and seasonally the Victorian Christmas Fayre is very popular.
Travel
Worcester is ideally placed for all transport links with Junctions 6 and 7 of the M5 easily accessible connecting through to the M42 linking into Birmingham. For those travelling by train, Worcester has two stations in the centre of the City, Shrub Hill and Foregate Street and in spring 2019 the new Parkway station is due to open to the south of the City near Norton providing quicker journeys to London and Birmingham. Those flying for business or pleasure will find Birmingham International Airport very convenient, being a little over 38 miles away. Not everyone needs to get to places in a hurry, in which case taking a boat trip along the River Severn, whether by narrow boat, pleasure cruiser or in a rowing boat, can be a wonderful place from which to admire and enjoy the beautiful City and surrounding countryside.
Local schools and colleges
Worcester has an enviable selection of schools to suit all requirements, budgets and abilities. In the City itself are two well regarded Public Schools, Kings School and Royal Grammar School (RGS), both of which have preschools and Prep Schools (Kings St Albans, Kings Hawford, The Grange and Springfield) allowing children to go from 3 through to 18 within the same school. RGS now also offers single sex education for girls from 3 to 16 at Dodderhill in Droitwich nearby. Across the river is the University of Worcester with its outstanding facilities, bringing a vibrant student population to the City. The county also boasts some outstanding State schools: Nunnery Wood High School, Northwick Primary, Redhill Primary and the renowned secondary schools The Chantry (in Martley), Hanley Castle, Pershore High School and The Chase High School.