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Tucked away on the border between England and Wales are the magnificent
Malvern Hills - a nine mile range which divides Herefordshire
and Worcestershire Twisting roads take you through the pretty
spa town of Malvern to about half way up the hillside, where you
can park. Then it's time to get on those walking boots and do
some fairly steep walking to get to the top of the hills As soon
as you reach the summit, you'll be bowled over by the views -
on the one side Worcestershire and the other is Herefordshire
and Wales. The views are quite outstanding and it's not surprising
this area was inspiration for English composer Edward Elgar.
only twelve miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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An early Jacobean manor house, Witley Court was converted in the
19th century into a vast Italianate mansion with porticoes by
John Nash. The spectacular ruins of this once
great house are surrounded by magnificent landscaped gardens -
the 'Monster Work' of William Nesfield - and still contain huge
stone fountains. The largest, representing Perseus and
Andromeda, once shot water 120 feet upwards, with 'the
noise of an express train'.
only five miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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A centre of prayer and pilgrimage for a 1,000 years.
The majestic cathedral was built on the banks of the River Severn
between 1084 and 1375. It's Norman crypt holds
a pilgrim exhibition - including the Tombs of King John
and Prince Arthur. It's Early English Quire and Lady
Chapel still stand and the monastic buildings including the chapel
house, cloistered herb gardens and monk's refectory. There is
the attractive 14th Century tower through history to the Victorian
stained glass. In the gardens you can see the remains of Guesten
Hall and dormitories. And like any cathedral of its age it has
its own selection of interesting memorials. Of course, the Cathedral
is also home of the Three Choirs Festival and the Worcester
Boys Choir is reknowned across the world.
only seven miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio and next to The Royal Worcester Porcelain Factory.
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Founded 1751 and still at the forefront of design, Royal
Worcester invites you to visit its web site where you
can read about the company's history, see some beautiful examples
of gift ware and take a look at the unique Visitor Centre situated
in the heart of the Victorian Factory where there is an opportunity
to take a guided factory tour, visit The Museum of Worcester Porcelain,
paint your own biscuit plate or browse in in a myriad of factory
shops.
only seven miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio and next to Worcester Cathedral.
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Edward Elgar was arguably the leading English
composer of his generation and a significant figure among late
Romantic European musicians. Born in the West of England in 1857,
the son of a piano-tuner and owner of a music shop, he earned
his earlier living as an organist, violinist and teacher in his
own part of the country. After his marriage in 1889 he found himself
able to move to London as a composer, but success only came later,
after his return to the West Country, confirmed by the Enigma
Variations, first performed in London in 1899. He wrote relatively
little after the death of his wife in 1920.
Visit The Elgar Birthplace Museum.
A fascinating insight into the life & work, family & friends,
musical development & inspirations of Sir Edward Elgar. Visit
the cottage where he was born in 1857, in its pretty garden, with
inspiring views of the Malvern Hills.
only five miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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The church is the only one of its kind in the country.
Its late baroque style is more usually found in southern Germany
and Italy. In recent years, Witley church has become part of a
larger United Benefice, which includes the neighbouring parishes
of Shrawley, Astley and Abberley. Whilst Witley Court was inhabited,
the church was used regularly, but after the fire at the Court
in 1937 most services were held in the chapel in the village.
The church suffered a period of neglect until the dedicated efforts
of parishioners in recent years helped restore the building to
its former glory.
only five miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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Seven acres of imaginative planting and fluid design reflecting
this garden's unique situation at the confluence of the River
Teme and Ledwych Brook. The Gardens are open all year from 10am
to 5pm. £3.95 for adults & £1.00 for children. The gardens today
are in the care of Burford Garden Company who continue to develop
and remodel parts of the garden following the inspiration of John
Treasure who created the Garden and established the National Collection
of Clematis in the late 1950s. Talks on the history of the Garden
and the Clematis Collection can be arranged. Call 01584 810777
for details. Burford House Gardens is holder of the National
Clematis Collection where 500 varieties of clematis can
be found throughout the gardens, the clematis maze and our specialist
nursery. 2000 other varieties of plants may also be seen including
some fine specimens of birch, maple, malus, magnolias and philadelphus.
In late May the majestic Wisteria Burford cascades down the back
of Burford House creating a magnificent spectacle. During the
summer there may be as many as 80 clematis in flower at once,
scrambling across borders and through shrubs sometimes producing
some unexpected and surprising effects. The vibrant summer borders
are always a delight often lasting right through to October.
only sixteen miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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was built between 1380 and 1400 for John Domulton. He was a descendant
of the Brockhampton family who had been here from at least the
12th century. The manor house was built in an isolated spot in
the depths of a wooded valley. In the unsettled country of the
Welsh Marches defence was considered essential. However, the moat
with which John Domulton surrounded his house may also have been
regarded as a status symbol. A small 15th century detached gatehouse
bridges the waters of the moat. This is one of the few surviving
timber-framed gatehouses. Its upper floor is jettied out over
the lower and the whole building has a precarious appearance.
Only three sides of the moat now survive. The manor house is set
back 15 yards from the moat and faces south across a grassy court.
The building is L-shaped and the great hall, which is open to
the rafters, occupies the stub of the L. The great hall is attached
to the two-storey east wing and the family's great chamber is
on the first floor. Great red-brick chimneys rise up from the
end walls.
only ten miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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This
handsome William and Mary-style red-brick house is
tucked away in fine parkland, far removed from reminders of
the modern world. The home of the Vernon family for more than
three centuries, it is famed for its exceptional painted ceilings
and staircase by Sir James Thornhill. The house has an interesting
detached long gallery and continental-style pavilions on each
corner of the house. The collections of porcelain and Dutch
flower paintings are particularly fine. In 1993 work was begun
to recreate the main elements of the original formal garden,
swept away with the changing fashions of the 18th century. Today
visitors can enjoy once again the geometric patterns of the
sunken parterre, as well as the formal wilderness and fruit
garden. There is also a handsome orangery and ice house.
only fourteen miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio and not far from junction 5 of the M5 motorway.
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Acres of Gardening, Leisure & Pleasure. Inside you
will see what has made us one of the most famous names in the
garden centre and gardeners' world. Whether it's a rare plant
or a family day out in the Midlands you are looking for, Webbs
Garden Centre, located in Worcestershire in the heart of Great
Britain, is THE place to come.And don’t take our word for it;
we have won over 20 industry awards in 10 years, most recently
being judged by the GCA ‘Best Houseplant Department in Britain’,
January 2003, and winning the ‘Best Outdoor Plant Area’ – Midlands
region, in May 2003.
only twelve miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio and adjacent to juntion 5 of the M5 motorway.
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Holloways
are leading specialists in conservatory and garden furniture.
Our showrooms fill two floors of converted hop kilns
in the Worcestershire countryside. The large courtyard outside
is filled with garden ornament, furniture and statuary - both
antique and contemporary. We supply the whole of the British
Isles with quality conservatory furniture and garden ornament,
backed up by a mail and telephone ordering service and nationwide
delivery. We have furniture in all price ranges at Holloways
and you will find that we are very competitively priced.
Holloways
Lower Court, Suckley,
Worcestershire
only nine miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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Packwood
House is a 16th Century house about 7 miles North-West
of Warwick. Packwood House is 2 miles from Baddesley Clinton
Manor House. Both houses are owned by the National Trust, and
you can buy a combined ticket for entry to both houses. Packwood
House was home of the Featherstone family from 1598 to 1869.
It was bought by Mr Alfred Ash, and subsequently given to The
National Trust in 1941, by his son, Graham Baron Ash. The property
is also noted for its gardens. The gardens are not as grandiose
as Hidcote and Kiftsgate, but still very attractive. There is
a small walled garden by the house, and a large lawn, with borders,
and also a large informal lake. Running along the far side of
the lawn is this raised walkway with flower borders.
only thirty one miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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Baddesley
Clinton is a romantic medieval moated manor house, about 7 miles
North-West of Warwick. Baddesley Clinton is in the heart of Arden
country. The house is set amongst trees. Behind the house is a
beautiful naturalistic lake in a wooded setting. The moated site
of this manor was probably established in the 13th century when
large areas of the Forest of Arden were converted to farmland.
John Brome, then the Under Treasurer of England, bought the manor
in 1438. It passed to his son, and then to his son's daughter,
who married Sir Edmond Ferrers. The house remained with the Ferrers
family until 1940. Henry Feathers was a personal friend of Sir
William Dugdale and William Camden, great historians of the day.
The Ferrers family were staunch Roman Catholics, and the house
was a refuge for persecuted Jesuit priests. In the 1590s when
it became the centre of resistance and various priest holes were
constructed in the house.
only thirty three miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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William
Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon
only thirty miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio. On the way back to London.
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Harvington
Hall is a Tudor/Elizabethan moated house, which has the distinction
of containing more priest holes (hiding places) than any other
building in England. Harvington is a moated medieval and Elizabethan
manor-house south-east of Kidderminster. Many of the rooms still
have their original Elizabethan wall-paintings and the Hall
contains the finest series of priest-holes anywhere in the country.
The Elizabethan House was built in the 1580s by Humphrey Pakington.
On his death it was inherited by his daughter Mary, Lady Yate.
In 1647 it was pillaged by Roundhead troops. Family letters
refer to politics, London fashions and medical treatment, as
well as business matters. During the 19th Century it was stripped
of furniture and panelling and the shell was left almost derelict.
But in 1923 it was bought for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese
of Birmingham, which restored it and now opens it to the public.
only thirteen miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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If
you are looking for an English guesthouse, you may consider
The Chandlery, a Worcestershire bed and breakfast just west
of The Faithful City, not far from the Herefordshire border.
Close to Worcester's Civil War Centre, the Cathedral with King
John's tomb, Shakespeare's Stratford, the Cotswolds and excellent
motorway connections and
only three miles from the Hilary Harrison Studio.
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