We’ve put together some historic inns and hotels, playing a part in Worcestershire’s heritage story. You can even stop in the same room as Oliver Cromwell before the iconic Battle of Worcester - how cool is that?!
The Lygon Arms Hotel, Broadway
A fixture of the Cotswolds since the 14th century, The Lygon Arms has welcomed royalty, political leaders, and cultural icons. King Charles I stayed here during the English Civil War, while Oliver Cromwell lodged within its walls before the Battle of Worcester. More recently, it’s been a retreat for Hollywood stars seeking the charm of its timbered interiors and honey-stone façade.
The Wood Norton, Evesham
Once the palatial residence of exiled French royalty, The Wood Norton exudes Belle Époque grandeur. Built by the Duc d’Orléans in the 19th century, it later became a key BBC base during the Second World War, quietly playing a role in Britain’s wartime broadcasting. Today, its opulent décor and sweeping gardens reflect a layered history of aristocracy and ingenuity.
Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Worcester
Originally a 19th-century monastery, Stanbrook Abbey’s soaring Gothic architecture was home to an enclosed order of Benedictine nuns for over 150 years. Its cloisters, chapels, and tranquil gardens still offer a deep sense of peace. Now transformed into a luxury retreat, the abbey invites guests to sleep beneath vaulted ceilings and walk the same stone corridors as the Sisters once did.
Hadley Bowling Green, Droitwich
Established in the 16th century, Hadley Bowling Green is famed for its longevity as a rural coaching inn. It was a favourite stop for travellers between Worcester and Droitwich, offering hearty hospitality alongside one of the oldest bowling greens in the country. Its history is written into every worn flagstone and timber beam. With links to the gunpowder plot, this historic building is a great place to stay!
Abbots Grange Manor House, Broadway
Dating to 1320, Abbots Grange is one of Britain’s oldest inhabited houses. Built as a summer residence for the Abbot of Pershore, the manor house became a centre of creativity in the late 19th–early 20th century under the ownership of American artist Frank Millet. Millet established a vibrant artists’ colony - inviting figures like Alfred Parsons, Edwin Abbey and John Singer Sargent to work within its atmospheric walls. With original stone fireplaces, medieval timbering, and gardens framed by the Cotswold hills, it remains a rare chance to stay within living history.
The White Lion, Upton upon Severn
An 16th-century coaching inn at the heart of Upton upon Severn. This 16th-century coaching inn played a part in the final days of the English Civil War. In 1651, Royalist troops under Prince Rupert allegedly drank “strong waters” here and fell into such deep sleep that Parliamentarian forces were able to cross the damaged bridge, seize the town, and hold it until reinforcements arrived - a week before the Battle of Worcester brought the war to an end. Its timbered walls and riverside setting keep that chapter of history close.
