James Tucker in Cov

I really didn't know what to expect in Worcester- I've never heard much about it. As it turns out, it's a very pretty town (and I had a sunny day), with the River Severn winding through it and populated by swans (this was actually the first time I've seen swans flying- they tend to have their wings clipped). Down by the river are its large cathedral (above, with swans) and close, in the centre of town is the largely Georgian and Victorian High Street, and a bit farther out from the river are a series of medieval streets, courtyards and alleys, with a lot of the original buildings.
King John (one of the less popular monarchs) is buried in the cathedral, as is Prince Arthur (the older brother to Henry VIII), but they are probably not the city's strongest royal link- Charles II fought a battle here to try and take the country back from Cromwell & co., but lost, and was forced to flee. The house in which he hid is now a pub (and it has its own jail), and his statue adorns the Guildhall in the centre of town (right). The Commandary on the edge of town was a headquarters for this battle, but I forget which side's (I suspect Royal).
I quite liked the cathedral, because it was built and rebuilt so many times from 1100-1500 that virtually every style from that period can be seen. The windows get less and less pointed the farther east (and thus later) along the building you go, and the basement is a forest of old Norman pillars. Plus the inside has been spruced up pretty well--Arthur's tomb (the structure to the left) is a masterpiece of Tudor stonework, as one might expect, but there are also some great medieval carvings of demons roasting people, and knights fighting lions, and unicorns with wings and such.
The town has also built a number of newer shopping developments in the old alleys and courtyards of the medieval town, and I thought they worked well, moving from promenade to courtyard, and branching off in unpredictable ways like the old markets would have. The architectural style is also sufficiently diverse to keep the ancient feel, without trying to look "Olde Worlde". I really liked Worcester, in a quiet way- and it has Birties of Worcester, which should really be worth something. Below are (left) the High Street near the Guildhall, and (right) Friar's Street, the heart of the old town (and about 3 blocks from High St.)