4 Best Sights in Great Malvern, Stratford-upon-Avon and the Heart of England

The composer Sir Edward Elgar was born in the village of Lower Broadheath, 8 miles north of Great Malvern, in this tiny brick cottage. Set in a peaceful garden, the museum contains personal memorabilia, including photographs, musical scores, and letters. Be sure to take a seat next to the statue of the musician as he admires the Malvern Hills that so inspired him. The good café makes a perfect pit stop.

There are few more quintessentially English sights than that of Worcester Cathedral, its towers overlooking the green expanse of the county cricket ground and its majestic image reflected in the swift-flowing waters of the River Severn. A cathedral has stood on this site since 680, and much of what remains dates from the 13th and 14th centuries. Notable exceptions are the Norman crypt (built in the 1080s), the largest in England, and the ambulatory, a cloister built around the east end. The most important tomb in the cathedral is that of King John (1167–1216), one of the country’s least-admired monarchs. He alienated his barons and subjects through bad administration and heavy taxation, and, in 1215, was forced to sign that great charter of liberty, Magna Carta; it's worth joining one of the expert talks by his tomb.

Don't miss the beautiful decoration in the vaulted chantry chapel of Prince Arthur, Henry VIII's elder brother, whose body was brought to Worcester after his death at Ludlow in 1502. His death meant that Henry was heir to the throne, changing the course of English history. The medieval library (accessible only by prebooked tour; check website for occasional closures) holds around 300 medieval manuscripts, dating from the 10th century onward. The Three Choirs Festival, rotating between Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester, takes place here every three years for a week in late July. Worcester is 8 miles north of Great Malvern.

A solidly built, early-Norman, Benedictine abbey restored in the mid-19th century, the priory dominates the steep streets downtown. The fine glass has examples from the 15th century—including a magnificent east window and the vibrantly blue Magnificat window in the north transept—to the beautifully evocative Millennium Windows, installed in 1999. Also here are a splendid set of misericords (the elaborately carved undersides of choir seats) and the oldest known carving of a merman.

For three days in mid-June, this agricultural show presents rare animal breeds, equestrian events, competitions for the best cows, pigs, and sheep, and plenty of food. Other events, such as collectors’ fairs, dog shows, and the Malvern Autumn Show, take place at the showground year-round.