Worcestershire lies in the heart of England, nestled between the mellow Cotswolds and the Welsh Marches. It supports a variety of rich landscapes from open countryside, with luscious fruit bearing orchards, to the ancient and majestic Malvern Hills, which provide bracing country walks and breathtaking views. Worcestershire potteries are famous for their fine bone Chinaware.
Tea always tastes best in fine Bone China © TAB
The county was once covered by the Wyre Forest, but all that remains is the hilly wooded region in the north west. The central plain of Worcestershire is bordered in the west by the tall ridge of the Malvern Hills, forming a boundary with Herefordshire. Picturesque villages are dotted in-between, leading up to the Cathedral City of Worcester. To the north are the Clent and Lickey Hills. The fertile vale of the River Severn runs north to south through the centre of the county and the Avon gently winds through the wooded Vale of Evesham, in the south. The restored steam railway, that runs through the Severn Valley, provides the ideal opportunity to take a magical journey through some of the county's spectacular scenery, leading all the way into Shropshire.
Malvern in worcestershire, is home to the oldest mineral water spring in England. Once famed for its miracle healing abilities - taking of the waters dates back to around 1622. In Victorian times people where known to travel hundreds of miles just to collected it. Although no longer considered a miracle cure, it is still very refreshing and today it is still bottled and sold throughout the world.
'The dark, rich flats of hedgy Worcestershire'
County Town: | Worcester - distance from London: 136 miles (218 km) |
Nearby Counties: | Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire |
Train Operators: | Arriva Trains Wales / Cross Country |
Nearest Airport: | Birmingham |
Major Roads: | A44, M5 |
Highest point: | Worcestershire Beacon, 1,395 feet (425 m) |
Rivers: | Avon, Severn, Stour, Teme |
County Flower: | Cowslip |
Local Delicacies: |
Worcestershire Sauce -
still made to the original 1830s secret recipe. This
deliciously tart and spicy sauce is available
in most UK supermarkets - perfect with English cheese
on toast. Malvern Spring Water - its medicinal properties have been celebrated for over 300 years. |
The Meaning of Worcestershire
First recorded in 1040 as Wirceastrescir. The shire is named after the county town of Worcester, which in Latin means 'fort of the Wigoran'.
Map of Worcestershire
The Midlands
