This post features: Worcester, Redditch, Droitwich Spa, Pershore and Evesham
Worcester
The devastation and loss of heritage assets that occurred during the redevelopment of Worcester city centre led to the creation of the list of “gem towns” in the UK. In 1964 the Council for British Archaeology released a response to the Buchanan report, ‘Traffic in Towns’ (1963). Buchanan emphasised the need for balance in traffic management and urban development as car ownership placed increased pressure on town centres. The Gem Town designation, moved away from the previous approach of ‘piecemeal listed-building protection’ in town centres, which had seen many assets lost to town centre development and road expansion. The CBA’s proposal sought particular focus on the ‘historic quality’ of the town environment through creation of Heritage Plans highlighting the value of the area.
The Cathedral:
The current cathedral dates from 1084The cathedral was badly damaged during the civil war and rebuilding was needed once Charles II came to the throne, with further additions and changes in the late 17th and 19th centuriesThe tomb of King John – he was born in 1166 and died in Newark, in 1216 – it was his wish to be buried here
Other Churches:
The former church of St Nicholas dates from the 1730’s and is now a Slug and Lettuce…This grand former Congregational Church dates from 1858 – it was converted into a nightclub in the 1980’s but is now closed and disused…
The River Severn:
The River Severn
New Street and Friar Street:
As I wandered along New Street and Friar Street in the pouring rain, I wondered just how wonderful Worcester must have been prior to the 1960s. Worcester still has much fine architecture – more so than Hereford, for example, and yet for old Worcester is forever damned and not considered a Gem Town…
The Eagle Vaults looks grand from the outside – it dates from the 17th centuryDespite what the pub’s website says, the interior has been utterly spoiled – bizarre…How it once was…New Street runs into Friar Street and these two remarkable streets have some of Worcester’s oldest and finest buildings…Greyfriars was built around 1490 and was a wealthy merchant’s house – it remained in the same family until around 1699Greyfriars is now owned by the National TrustGreyfriars is now a National Trust propertyOne of the 5 pubs owned by Craddock’s Brewery of Stourbridge: King Charles II escaped from here in 1651 after losing the final battle of the English Civil War.The Tudor House dates from 1520 and became a museum in 2004A statue of Charles II fleeing Worcester…
Other Sights:
The former Hop Market Commercial HotelThis hospital was endowed by Robert Berkeley of Spetchley in 1692 to provide accommodation for 12 poor men. The courtyard is flanked by 6 identical houses on either side of it…Worcester Museum and Art GalleryThe back of Worcester Museum and Art GalleryWorcester Crown and County CourtWorcester Foregate StreetThe astonishing Guild Hall dates from 1721The Farriers Arms dates from 1790Cupola House, now a branch of the Skipton Building Society, dates from around 1740 Intriguing figures on a shop front in Broad StreetA memorial to Edward Elgar, who was born in Broadheath, a village near Worcester. His father had a music shop in Worcester where Edward studied the music available there and taught himself to play a wide variety of instruments…Intriguing friezeThe Paul Pry dates from 1900 and was built to serve the nearby cattle market – it doesn’t look very grand but…The interior of the Paul Pry still has its original tilingThe gents toilet (not shown) is also nicely tiled but the ladies toilet is plain – the barmaid told me, in case you’re wondering…
Redditch
It was designated a New Town in 1964, which explains the lack of character and interesting buildings. The town centre is dominated by the enormous Kingfisher Shopping Centre, which was opened in 1976 by James Callaghan, the then Prime Minister…
St Stephen’s ChurchInside St Stephen’s ChurchPretty stained glass window that catches the sunlightThe Palace Theatre dates from 1913 and was refurbished in 2005Church Green East – the one nice street in RedditchA memorial to John Bonham, who was the drummer in Led Zeppelin and was born in RedditchThis Wetherspoon, which used to be the Danilo Cinema, is called The Royal Enfield in honour of Royal Enfield motorbikes that were made in Redditch…
Droitwich Spa
Droitwich Spa is famous for its water, which contains 30% natural mineral salts – the heaviest concentration known. There has been a spa here since Roman times. The Anglo Saxons called the town Saltwich. www.droitwichspa.comhttp://historicdroitwich.org.uk/
In 1887 the original Elizabethan house – built in the early 16th century and known as St Andrew’s House – was transformed into the Raven Hotel. It is now empty and derelict…This building dates from 1550 and is now a Thai restaurantLooking up the quaint High StreetLooking down the High StreetSt Andrew’s Church dates from 1290 – only open for servicesThe Talbot is one of 5 pubs owned by Craddock’s Brewery of StourbridgeThe Star Yard is more interesting than you might supposeThis part of the Star Yard dates from 1513 and its restoration is nearing completionThe Cock Inn dates from 1712 and proudly proclaims it was licensed in the 10th year of Queen Anne’s reignThe house next door to the Cock Inn looks very sweet but the plaque gives no indication of ageThe Priory House dates from around 1650…
Pershore
The Abbey:
In 681 land was given to fund a monastery and the abbey was founded in 689 by King Oswald. By 972 the abbey was under Benedictine rule and it was also the year that King Edgar granted Pershore a charter – although there are two separate surviving documents relating to this and so there is some doubt as to which is authentic. In 1002, the abbey was badly damaged by fire and then it was struck by an earthquake in 1020. By 1130 a Norman abbey was completed. Two further fires followed in 1223 and 1288, both causing considerable damage. In 1540, the monastery was dissolved but the parishioners were allowed to buy what remained – the east end, crossing and tower – for £400.
There was further deterioration when in 1686 the north transept fell and in 1861 there was considerable storm damage. In 1864 George Gilbert Scott undertook restoration of the surviving church. in 1932 the Friends of Pershore Abbey was formed and raised funding for further repairs and restoration. In 1996, the foundations of the Anglo-Saxon Church were identified and the south transept was repaired. Further repairs were carried out between 2005-17.
The tomb of Abbot Edmund Hert – he was abbot from 1456-79The former church of St Andrew dates back to 1170 and was built by Edward the Confessor. It is now a community centre.
The Town:
Evesham
The Abbey:
The bell tower is all that remains of the former abbeyThe church of St Lawrence – resolutely shut despite the sign indicating hours of opening…All Saints ChurchAll Saints ChurchAll Saints ChurchA model in the Almonry Museum showing how the Abbey and the town looked in the early 1500s
The Almonry:
The Almonry is a 14th century building and was home to the Almoner of the Benedictine monasteryThe Almonry is also home to the tourist information office and a museumThe rear of the AlmonryThe museumThe museumThe museumA model showing how the abbey and the town would have looked in the early 1500s
The Town:
The Royal Oak is a 16th pub…Ye Olde Red Horse is a 15th century coaching innThe NatWest Bank is shrouded as it undergoes restoration…As it was: the bank is in what was a 15th century merchant’s house known as “the round house” – this photo is courtesy of Historic England…The Evesham Hotel was owned and run by the Jenkinson family – I stayed here once. They left at the end of 2015. The hotel closed in 2022 and an uncertain future awaits…The River Avon
