Worcester
5 day holiday - Sunday 1st March 2026
Highlights...
- Museum of Royal Worcester
- Worcester Cathedral
- Harvington Hall
Worcester, is one of the oldest cities in the country with evidence of settlement dating back to 700 BC. It is a wonderful city full of culture, and is located on the River Severn in central England which forms part of the County of Worcestershire. Rich in history dating back to Roman times, the city has many landmarks; the skyline is dominated by the magnificent Worcester Cathedral. It is also famous for its industrial heritage which includes: Worcestershire Sauce, Royal Worcester Porcelain and surprisingly, the UK’s oldest surviving newspaper – Berrow's Worcester Journal!
Worcester Cathedral has a history spanning over 14 centuries, the first Cathedral being founded in 680. During 983, Saint Oswald built a later Cathedral with a monastery attached to it. Worcester Cathedral became a great monastic Cathedral and was a great centre of learning, where Benedictine Monks studied a variety of subjects – some of the medieval textbooks can be found in the Cathedral library. The monastery continued until Henry VIII dissolved it during 1540. Damaged during the English Civil War, the building became part of a rebuilding programme and several campaigns to restore parts from the late 17th-century until the 19th-century – the biggest restoration was by the Victorians. As well as its Architectural appeal, it also has historical significance for being the final resting place for King John, Prince Arthur Tudor and Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.
The Museum of Royal Worcester is another ‘must see’ attraction in the City. The Museum is the only part of Royal Worcester left on Severn Street site after the factory closed in 2009. The museum holds over 10,000 objects, some dating back to the beginning of Porcelain manufacturing in 1751! Across the collections you will be able to see a variety of styles and how travel and the Industrial Revolution influenced the craft.
Our short break will not only focus on the attractions in the city centre, but will allow us to see some of the delights the County has to offer; namely Harvington Hall and Hartlebury Castle.
Bank House Hotel & Spa ★★★★
Our stay in Worcester will be at the family-run, 4-star Bank House Hotel and Spa. Nestled in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside this hotel offers a modern style with attention to detail ensuring a comfortable stay. The bedrooms offer en-suite bathrooms with bath/shower combination, luxury spa toiletries and hairdryer(four of the Superior rooms have shower only with a 6-inch step in). All rooms have a large flat screen TV, free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities and 24-hour room service. There is a lift in the hotel. The newly refurbished Garden Room restaurant offers a relaxed space for guests to enjoy meals created using the freshest local ingredients. The three-course dinner every night includes two glasses of wine or soft drinks.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Sunday 1st March
Arriving by door-to-door car at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Gerrards Cross, you will be greeted by your tour manager who will be with you throughout the holiday. Coffee or tea with pastries will be served before we board the coach. En-route to Worcester we will stop to enjoy lunch at The Trouble House on the outskirts of Tetbury. Following lunch, we will visit the historic Chavenage House. There will be an intimate and informative tour to gain insight into the centuries of history this estate holds. We will then continue our journey to the Bank House hotel, where your Tour Manager will assist with check-in. We will then have some free time to relax, settle in and enjoy our surroundings before dinner.
Day 2 – Monday 2nd March
After breakfast, we will see the first of the many attractions that Worcester has to offer. The majestic looking Worcester Cathedral, stands proudly overlooking the River Severn. It is thought of as one of the loveliest Cathedral’s in England with its magnificent Victorian stained glass. We will hear all about the history in a 60-minute guided talk/tour. After a light lunch, our afternoon will be spent at Hanbury Hall, an 18th-century National Trust property in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside. Our visit will be self-led, giving you an opportunity to explore the Hall and gardens at your own pace, taking in the magnificent wall paintings and the extensive ceramics collection.
Day 3 – Tuesday 3rd March
Today we leave the hotel after breakfast and depart for the short drive in to the City of Worcester. Here we will make our first stop at the Museum of Royal Worcester, which houses the worlds largest collection of Worcester Porcelain. Our ‘Behind the Scenes Talk’ will give us an entertaining insight into the history of Royal Worcester, and an opportunity to handle some of the items in the china and archive stores and also hear clips from historical recordings of past workers describing working life in their own words. We will stop for lunch nearby, before our afternoon excursion which will be to the beautiful building and garden nearby - The Commandery. The building is well-known for being the Royalist Headquarters during the deciding battle of the English Civil War – the Battle of Worcester 1651, and there is plenty of history to be uncovered here!
Day 4 – Wednesday 4th March
Today we will explore some of the delights in the County of Worcestershire, and drive away from the city to enjoy two hidden treasures. Our morning will be spent at Harvington Hall; an Elizabethan Manor house that has a rich history and some fascinating stories. The building houses an amazing collection of wall paintings and has 7 remaining Priest Hides! We will leave for the short drive to Hartlebury Castle, a Grade I listed building that was once home to the Bishops of Worcester for over 1,000 years! Our visit here will begin with a light lunch. Following this, we have a guided tour, to give us an insight in to the lives of those who lived and worked in Bishops Palace and explore the history of the county in Worcestershire County Museum.
Day 5 - Thursday 5th March
After breakfast, your Tour Manager will assist with check-out and our luggage will be stored with concierge, while we visit our final attraction of the holiday. We will depart the hotel and take the short trip into Worcester for a guided tour of the Tudor House Museum. This small museum is set in a close-studded timber framed building and houses an original embossed ceiling, the only remaining in Worcester. Our tour will take us through the building learning about its history and discover many lost stories of Worcester. We will return to the hotel to enjoy a 2-course farewell lunch before setting offforthejourneyhome. OnarrivalattheCrownePlazatherewillbelightrefreshments served before your door-to-door cars arrive.
Total Price of the Holiday: £1,825 per person
Deposit: £300
Balance due:
1st Dec 2025
Discounts: National Trust - £18
Historic House - £12
Whats Included:
- Door to door cars from your home to the meeting point and back
- Coach travel throughout the holiday
- 4 nights at the 4-Star Bank House Hotel & Spa
- 3-course dinner with two glasses of wine every night
- Full English or continental breakfast every morning
- Light lunch with coffee or tea on four days
- 2-course lunch with coffee or tea on the last day
- Morning refreshments on the first day
- Afternoon refreshments on the last day
- Admission/talks/tours at all properties visited on excursions stated in the programme:
✓ Chavenage House
✓ Worcester Cathedral
✓ Hanbury Hall
✓ Museum of Royal Worcester ✓ The Commandery
✓ Harvington Hall
✓ Hartlebury Castle
✓ Tudor House Museum - Gratuities
- The services of your Tour manager throughout your stay
- V.A.T.
The minimum number required for this holiday is 10.
For more information or to book call
020 4568 3377
