Spilling into Herefordshire and the northern fringes of Gloucestershire are the glorious Malvern Hills

Beyond the confines of Worcester, the rest of the county is rich with history. Travel just north west of the city to discover Hanbury Hall and Gardens, an elegant country mansion built for lawyer and local MP Thomas Vernon in 1701, in the William and Mary style (nationaltrust. org.uk/ hanbury-hall-and- gardens). The property houses magnificent wall and ceiling paintings by Sir James Thornhill, famous for his large- scale baroque compositions that adorn other great houses of the 18th century, such as Chatsworth and Blenheim Palace, as well as the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral. As beautiful as this stately home is, it’s the 20 acres of gardens that steal the show at Hanbury. They were designed in 1705 by the renowned nurseryman George London, who also created landscapes at Chatsworth, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court. Within a century, however, the formal parterre, fruit gardens and wilderness were replaced in favour of Capability Brown- style ‘natural’ landscapes. In the early 1990s, the National Trust launched a project to restore the gardens using London’s original plans and planting lists. Since 1995, visitors have been able to appreciate his vision in all its perfectly proportioned glory.

This September also sees the reopening of Edward Elgar’s birthplace at The Firs in Lower Broadheath (nationaltrust.org. uk/the-firs). Visitors can learn about his life and influences in this pretty 19th- century cottage.

Spilling over into Herefordshire and the northern fringes of Gloucestershire are the glorious Malvern Hills, giving visitors the opportunity to experience the great outdoors as well as stunning views over to the Severn Valley and even towards the Black Mountains in Wales. You can download walks for all levels from visitthemalverns.org, as well as more leisurely urban trails around the historic town of Upton-uponSevern. With a town centre of distinctive black-and-white 17th- century buildings, it also has a marina and a lively programme of events including jazz, blues and folk festivals. * visitworcestershire.org

ABOVE Worcester Cathedral sits on a high bank overlooking the tranquil River Severn. With medieval cloisters, ancient crypt and chapter house, the cathedral houses the royal tombs of King John and Prince Arthur

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Edward Elgar was born in this early 19th- century cottage; Royal Worcester ‘Dudley’ teapot, 1865; circular mirror above the marble replace in the Sitting Room at Hanbury Hall; the Royal Worcester factory in the early 20th century