Top historic spots to visit in Worcestershire

Top historic spots to visit in Worcestershire

At Love Where You Live, celebrating our local community is truly at the heart of everything we do and what better way to celebrate Local and Community History month than showcasing the very best of this historic county.

The historical timeline surrounding Worcestershire is long, full of wonderful facts and mystery. With staycations still on the cards for the UK, the LWYL team has pulled together some of the local and historical landmarks that we think are a must visit this year!

  1.  Witley Court and Gardens (*Gillian’s Top pick).

One of Gillian’s favourite historical landmarks to visit with the family is Witley Court. Located in the picturesque Worcestershire countryside, this manor house consists of dramatic ruins of a beautiful Italianate Mansion, elaborate gardens and stunning water fountains.

FUN FACT: Witley Court was built in the seventeenth century on the site of a former manor house that was tragically burnt down in 1937.

  1.  Worcester Cathedral

Described as one of the most important and interesting monastic cathedrals in all of England, Worcester Cathedral is a local landmark not to be missed.

The stunning medieval cathedral is built on the foundations of a 10th century Anglo Saxon crypt founded by Saint Wulstan. Work on the present building started in 1080 but a cathedral was actually first built here in 680AD!

FUN FACT: Worcester Cathedral houses the tombs of King John and Prince Arthur, eldest son of King Henry VII and older brother of King Henry VIII.

  1.  The Commandery

Now a Civil War museum, The Commandery is a fascinating half-timbered medieval building that dates back 800 years and is best known for its involvement in the English Civil War.

Worcester was known as “the Faithful City” as it was loyal to the Royalist cause during the war against Oliver Cromwell’s Parliamentary forces.

FUN FACT: The Commandery is most famous for being the Royalist headquarters during the war’s deciding battle – the Battle of Worcester – in 1651.

  1.  The King Charles II pub

Stick with us here but The King Charles II pub is a lot more historical than you might think!

The building is also linked to the Battle of Worcester and it was through this pub that King Charles II escaped after losing the final battle of the English Civil War.

FUN FACT: It has a beautiful oak clad interior with roaring fires and even has its own dungeon under the bar as in former years it served the city as a courthouse!

  1.  Harvington Hall

Harvington Hall is an enchanting 16th century Elizabethan moated Manor House built on the site of a 13th century medieval fortified manor house, best known for its devotion to Catholicism during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

FUN FACT: It houses the best preserved and most numerous set of priest holes in any house in Britain, which aimed to hide Catholic Priests from persecution during this time.

Happy discovering and as always, don’t forget to tag us in your favourite historical pictures on Instagram (@lwyl_worcs) for a chance to be featured on our Love Where You Live page! 💕

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