Worcestershire is a thriving county, headed by the historic city of Worcester. Surrounded by countryside villages, and packed with a variety of neighbourhoods to suit all needs, we’ve lined up some of the best places to live in Worcestershire for all those considering a move to the county.
Great Malvern
If you’re familiar with Worcestershire, you’ll no doubt recognise the picturesque landscapes of the iconic Malvern Hills. This beautiful scenery frames the three town centres of Malvern neatly, but the area has much more to offer. An elegant Victorian town, it became a popular destination for ‘taking the water’, with famous faces such as Florence Nightingale, Charles Dickens, Charles Darwin, Alfred Lord Tennyson and Henry James visiting the area to sample the pure spring water.
In the present day, Malvern offers three town centres: Great Malvern, Barnards Green and Malvern Link, making the area a well-equipped shopping destination.
As well as the recognisable big-name storefronts, Malvern hosts a range of independent businesses, including a range of arts and crafts shops, galleries and bookshops, reflecting the town’s strong links with the arts.
The Edwardian Malvern Theatres Complex boasts a West End style and atmosphere, attracting popular productions of drama, dance, and opera all year round. The Forum Theatre also offers superb acoustics for musical performances, and the cinema shows popular current titles and less-available hidden gems.
For lovers of the outdoors, The Royal Horticultural Society hosts its annual festival in the town in May, and the best of British farming, food and countryside is showcased at the Royal Three Counties show each year.
It also has a strong public transport system, with both Great Malvern and Malvern Link train stations, and local bus services. For families, the range of state-funded and independent schools in the town and surrounding villages is certainly a draw.
Barbourne, Worcester
Barbourne is a lovely neighbourhood in the centre of Worcester, spanning from just past the Crown & County Court all the way up to the gorgeous Gheluvelt Park. Barbourne is in a very convenient location, backing onto The Pitchcroft and accessible from the Upper Tything.
The area is most recognisable for the beautiful Saint George’s Church, located in Saint George’s Square. It is a piece of incredible Georgian architecture, with an Arts & Crafts interior designed by Sir Aston Webb. The church is used for worship but is also a popular wedding venue and stages performances and concerts.
The houses in the area are a huge part of its charm, with rows of quaint period terrace houses, each with their own garden. The area also has plenty of amenities, including primary schools, several pubs, shops, a gym and a community garden.
It is of course within a very easy walking distance of Worcester City Centre, allowing access to all of the city’s facilities, including great public transport links, all while staying out of the hustle and bustle of the centre. Barbourne is neatly tucked away in a prime location for families and adults, looking for a quiet neighbourhood to call home.
St John’s, Worcester
While technically a suburb of Worcester, St John’s is referred to by locals as the ‘Village in the City’. It existed as an independent township before joining the city in 1837, and as such, there is a strong sense of identity and community in the area.
Just west of the city centre, across the River Severn, St John’s is a rather popular area which is very easily commutable to the centre. It is well-connected by bus routes, but stands on its own as a suburb, equipped with garages, a church, a post office, nurseries, a sports centre, a supermarket and lots of eateries offering international cuisine.
The area is surrounded by parks and greenery, just across the road from the beautiful Cripplegate Park, which is very popular with children due to its huge outdoor play park. It is also very close to Pitmaston Park, Chapter Meadows, and for more greenery, is sandwiched between Worcester Golf & Country Club, and Worcester Cricket Club.
The area is also an academic hub, hosting the St John’s Campus of the University of Worcester.
If you’re looking for a bustling area of the city, just a stone’s throw away from the centre and with a strong community feel, St John’s is a wonderful place to live.
Ombersley
Moving slightly further afield, Ombersley is a village and civil parish in Wychavon district, surrounded by stunning countryside, and only a short drive to Worcester and Droitwich Spa.
The picturesque village boasts black and white timber properties, with one hundred and fifty listed buildings located in the parish, including two beautiful churches, meaning it has retained a classic period feel.
Despite its historic appearance, Ombersley has certainly adapted to the times, with plenty of local amenities. It is known for having three great country pubs, namely The Kings Arms, The Cross Keys and The Crown & Sandys, all of which are popular spots for good and drink amongst the locals, and those from further afield.
The village has a lovely little First School and a Pre-School, as the area uses the three-tier education system. It also has a Butchery and Delicatessen, Checketts Great British Food, with a coffee shop and kitchen for the perfect British breakfast.
The town has a great community feel, and is popular with families and retired couples due to the frequent village events, including the annual Christmas fair.
Bordered by the River Severn and surrounded by greenery, the village is a great base for anyone who enjoys a walk or a cycle in the great outdoors.
Pershore
A slightly bigger area than some of the others on this list, but nonetheless a lovely place to live, Pershore is a Georgian Market Town, located on the River Avon.
In the annual Garrington survey of ‘The Best Places to Live in 2022’, Pershore ranked 22nd out of a possible 1372 places. It was the top-ranked destination in the West Midlands, beating Stratford-Upon-Avon, Broadway, and the city of Worcester itself. The rankings were based on a range of categories including ‘Quality of Living’, ‘Physical Environment’, ‘Architectural Heritage’ and ‘Going Green’.
The town is recognisable for its impressive medieval abbey, with a history spanning over a thousand years. Rebuilding and remodelling has produced a mixture of Norman, Early English, Decorated Gothic and Victorian architecture, and the abbey’s nearby park is worth a visit too.
For lovers of the outdoors, Pershore is home to the Avon Meadows Community Wetlands, and the Confetti Flower Field, which is stunning in the summertime.
It has a wonderful local arts scene, centred at Number 8, the community arts centre and registered charity which offers a diverse programme of film, theatre, live events, creative courses and exhibitions. With the Heritage Centre and RAF Defford Museum too, Pershore is certainly a place where the humanities thrive.
Pershore is a large enough town to be completely independent, stocked with schools, nurseries, and a host of independent shops and venues, including a great range of pubs and eateries.
However, if you fancy a change of scenery, Pershore is close to both Worcester and Evesham, and the Cotswolds are on its doorstep. It is this prime location that makes Pershore such a special place to live.
With all of these fantastic areas and more to choose from, relocating to Worcestershire, or indeed, moving within the county’s borders, is certainly tempting. Whether you’re hoping for a busy and bustling city life, or a thatched roof and a view over the British countryside, there is undoubtedly a home for everyone in Worcester and the surrounding areas.