2. WORCESTER CITY: PORCELAIN MUSEUM Worcester WR1 2ND /HISTORIC WORCESTER

together with a visit to other city museums and Elgar’s Birthplace.

A series of Self Guided Driving Tours to places of interest in the North Cotswolds and beyond

Updated May 2021

Distance from Ilmington and our cottage (www.houfy.com/1016) : 28 miles

The Worcester Porcelain Museum (https://www.museumofroyalworcester.org/) is open all year round except for Sundays and Bank Holidays. See their website for the Worcester Heritage Walk which you can take directly from the old factory buildings. There is pay and display parking adjacent to the museum which you will find with putting WR1 2NE into your sat nav.

The audio tour of the museum, which is included with the entry price takes you on a design journey as well as giving you the history of the famous factory, its talented workforce and everyday life. Rare porcelain is displayed in room settings and vignettes in the Georgian, Victorian and 20th century galleries. The introductory film features Henry Sandon of Antiques Roadshow fame. There is a Family Parlour to occupy the children. There is a factory shop from where you can buy some modern Worcester to take home.

The museum is a three minute walk from the Cathedral of Worcester (free entrance – you have to pay for a tour) which is worth a visit.

Worcester Cathedral is a magnificent sight as it rises majestically above the River Severn. Worcester has been the seat of a bishopric since the Seventh Century, and the Cathedral was served by monks until the Reformation. St Oswald and St Wulfstan were among the bishops. Since the Eighteenth Century, the Cathedral has been famous for its part in the annual Three Choirs Festival, the oldest choral festival in existence. Today the Cathedral is the centre of a vibrant community of clergy and laypeople, offering the praises of God each day, serving the city and diocese of Worcester, and attracting visitors from all over the world.

Worcester, which lies prettily on the Severn River, featured prominently in the English Civil War (the last battle was fought here) and history buffs have much to explore in the city, not least the Tudor House Museum and the museum of the Civil War, The Commandry, both small, but worth a visit. Both are walking distance (3 minutes) from the porcelain museum so you can leave the car there. Another 5 minutes from the Commandery takes you to the Tudor House Museum. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in the centre of Worcester – probably best to look at a review site to pick one you will like. You may also like to visit Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum.

Back in your car you can take a drive to Broadheath to visit The Firs, The Elgar Birthplace Museum, 4 miles from the factory.