Wandering round Worcester.

We did a few jobs before heading out into town to see what we could see. We headed to find the Tourist information to plan the day. We found it the Guildhall where there was a 'Volunteer' exhibition going on. Once armed with a map we set off to view the up stairs of the Guildhall. The Assembly Room was a beautiful space with many paintings of ex Mayors on the stairs going up to it.

The Guildhall Assembly Room in Worcester. It was built in 1721 and has played host to three Monarchs and three Princesses. 

Not only have three Monarchs visited the Guildhall but there are three Monarchs outside the ornate frontage. On the right here can be seen Charles I with an orb and sceptre on the left in Charles II with a church and sceptre. The other Monarch is Queen Anne high above the door.

At the apex of the door is this figure pinned by his ears!

From here we went to the City Art Gallery and Museum and spent a couple of hours looking round the exhibits which included a large section on the Worcestershire Regiments. I had no idea that Worcester was a centre for glove manufacture either. There is also a section on the history of Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce. We had lunch at the balcony cafe in the museum.

A short walk brought us to the old Infirmary where there is a small museum of health. The building is quite austere but of it's time.

From the Infirmary we wandered through town and found a street of Charity shops that kept Helen busy hunting for books to read. We then walked down New and Friar Street to see all the old tudor buildings down there. They seem to be spread out with modern places sprinkled among them. There are loads of pubs and hairdressers too.

Friar Street from New Street.

The National Trust Tudor House on New Street,

We then walked back across to the Cathedral and had a wander round there. There was no photographs allowed but there were some lovely old tombs and monuments including King John's from 1216. This Royal Tomb being in the church perhaps helped save it from Henry VIII. The first church was dedicated to St. Peter in 680. St Oswald started the next building in 983 before the present structure was started in 1084 by St. Wulfstan. The Catherdal was quite badly damaged in the Civil War where Worcester held out for the Royalists. It wasn't until Charles II was restored to the throne that repairs were started. From there we walked down by the river to Diglis Locks and back to the boat up the tow path.

On the Bridge by the Commandery there are these sculptures on each parapet of the bridge over the canal. The bridge is almost on the spot where the Sidbury Gate of the City stood and this was where troops of Oliver Cromwell stormed into the city after the battle of Worcester.

We had a cup of tea back at the boat and then we are to venture out to buy some milk and stuff, and just by a stroke of luck it is close to a pub.