Abberley

Abberley is home to the ruins of a Norman Church which was built upon an older Saxon foundation. Housed within the newer 19 th century church is a 160 foot high clock tower.

Just outside of Abberley is Stockton where you will find the Hotel The Elms, a Queen Anne Mansion which was built by Gilbert White, a pupil of Christopher Wren.

South of Abberley are the Abberley Hills. An ancient hill fort is found upon the summit of Woodbury Hill.

Bredon

Bredon is well known for its Medieval Tithe Barn which is administered by the National Trust. Being built in 15 th century and of the local Cotswold stone it has some wonderful features including stone cowling over one of its five porches. The barn runs a staggering 132 feet.

Another of Bredon's attractions is the Parish Church of St Giles which was built between 1190 and 1350. There are wonderful 14 th Century carved monuments in the chancel including one of Bishop Prideaux who was once chaplain to James I and Charles I.

A local resident of Bredon, Joyce Tole-Moir has written a guide to Bredon entitled Bredon People, Tales and Places, A History of the Cottages and Houses of Bredon Village and the People who lived in them, containing both historic and modern photographs and detail of the old houses.

Broadway

Broadway is a favourite tourist spot with a picturesque wide main street and numerous old buildings, including Abbot's Grange which is a 14 th Century Manor that once belonged to the Abbots of nearby Evesham Abbey.

The Lygon Arms, once a manor house was host to Charles I and Oliver Cromwell.

Bromsgrove

Bromsgrove is an industrial town and here you will find the Bromsgrove Museum which displays local history and culture within the former coaching inn.

Within the church you will find monuments to the Talbot family, whose manor house is 2 miles away. The manor was rebuilt after a fire in 1710 and has a surviving Tudor chapel.

Droitwich Spa

Droitwich Spa which as the name would suggest, is a spa town. Within this area there are historic houses including the impressive Hanbury Hall which is run by the National Trust. It is set within 400 acres of gardens and parkland.

Evesham

This town, straddling the River Avon made its place in history when the Battle of Evesham was fought here in 1265. The battlefield slightly north of the town is in an area which is now known as Greenhill.

Upon the banks of the river are the ruins of Evesham Abbey, a Benedictine house which was founded around 701AD. Although many of the abbey buildings were demolished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, the cloister archway, gateway, almonry, and two parish churches which were built by monks within the abbey, still remain as does the bell tower which was built by Abbot Clement Lichfield around 1533.

Malvern

Also known as Great Malvern and Malvern Spa this town sits upon the flanks of the Malvern Hills . The name Malvern is derived from the Celtic term for bare hill.

Malvern is host to the annual festival of drama, a favourite of George Bernard Shaw whose works were performed there over the years. He was a familiar figure in the town.

Within the churchyard of St Wulfstan's a native of Worcester, Edgar Elgar lies. Elgar was a prominent English composer of 20 th Century.

Nearby you will find Little Malvern. This attractive town houses the remains of a fine priory Church.

Pershore

Approaching Pershore from the east you will come across an elaborate 6 arched bridge across the Avon. This bridge dates back to the medieval period although the central arch was restored after extensive damage during the Civil War.

Pershore Abbey was one of the largest abbeys in Britain and in fact larger even than Worchester Cathedral. Although the abbey itself was destroyed, the church was saved from destruction by the local inhabitants by purchasing it. The lantern tower dates from 1350.

Tenbury Wells

Situated in the north west corner of Worchester and nearing the borders of Herefordshire and Shropshire this town lies on the River Teme in an area which is known for growing hops and cider apples. It is for this reason that Tenbury has been called The Town in the Orchard

Tenbury was a spa town which was popular from around 1840 onwards for its unusual saline waters.

The largely 19 th Century St. Mary's Church houses the remains of a Saxon cross whilst the town itself contains several half-timbered buildings from 16 th and 17 th centuries.

The popular national Mistletoe and Holly Auctions are held on the Tuesday before Christmas