Description
Our tour is based in the idyllic Worcestershire countryside just three miles west of Worcester, a historic city with a splendid cathedral. It also has a museum dedicated to the composer Edward Elgar, who drew much inspiration from the Malvern Hills. Our excursions take us to the open vistas of the Malverns, the unspoilt Wye Valley and Forest of Dean and the fascinating cities of Gloucester and Hereford.
Itinerary
Full Day Excursion to Malvern, Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye
We head for the Malvern Hills today and visit Great Malvern's historical centre with its Priory. Malvern water is produced from this famous spa town. We continue to Ledbury with its picturesque cobbled medieval streets. Ross-on-Wye overlooks the banks of the River Wye and has been a popular market town since the Middle Ages.
Full Day Excursion to Gloucester and the Forest of Dean
Gloucester is home to a splendid cathedral which dominates the city and many medieval and Tudor half-timbered buildings survive from earlier times. We continue past the River Severn to the ancient Royal Forest of Dean, pausing at the market towns of Lydney, Coleford and Cinderford. The forest separates England from Wales and is an area of outstanding natural beauty. We return via Tewksbury, a well preserved medieval town.
Full Day Excursion to Hay-on-Wye and Hereford
Hay is known as the 'town of books' due to its multitude of second-hand booksellers. It has a castle and many coaching inns and pubs serving good local food. We return along the trail of the Wye Valley via the cathedral city of Hereford. The cathedral houses the famous Mappi Mundi - a unique map of the world drawn around AD1300.
Venue Information
Bank House Hotel
Situated 3 miles to the west of Worcester, with its porcelain heritage, the Bank House Hotel is a grade II listed building dating back to 1630. Rear facing rooms overlook the hotel's own 18 hole golf course. There is a spacious first floor restaurant with a coffee shop and lounge bar on the ground floor. All 68 bedrooms have private bath and shower, hair dryer, telephone, satellite TV and tea/coffee making facilities. No Lift. Tel. 01886 833551