Day 7: May 24

Tintern / Clearwell to Worcester

92 km / 1000 m 

From Clearwell or Tintern we pass through the picturesque and unspoilt Forest of Dean.  After a few stiff climbs we skirt the River Severn, then travel east of the Malvern Hills and on to Worcester, with its iconic cathedral.

We had some unexpected light rain going on as we pulled out this morning.  

It wasn't supposed to amount to much so I left my raingear behind; good call.  Pretty much all our climbing was done in the first 15 km, so even having a light windbreaker on was too much for me; it didn't last long.  I didn't stop for any pics during those first climbs for a few reasons, but it was lovely.  The Forest of Dean on both sides of the road.  Lots of public use areas and footpaths.  And even on a weekday they seemed to be well used judging by the parking lots.  And every little village had "Dean" in it somewhere; kind of like Calgary's subdivisions.....  Saw this guy at after the end of the climbing.

Then onto quieter roads again.  

We had our first “tea break” at 12.5 miles.  Just across the street from the van was Westbury Court Garden  we didn’t go in, but took some pictures through the fence.

Back onto even quieter roads; my favourite!  Good thing we don’t take up much room on the road.  Apparently sometimes they need to bring in the heavy equipment to keep the vegetation trimmed.  

I’m guessing, though, that the traffic itself does much of the trimming.  Not sure where this guy was going, but it looked like he’d been backing up for a while when we came upon him.  

Random landscape and building shots.  We saw lots of beautiful old, well kept homes but I couldn’t get a clear view of them.  Some other day….

Here’s yet another use for decommissioned phone booths - food bank and little free library. 

Some really lovely and well-tended gardens in this little community.  Oh - and the obligatory photo of a telco building.  

A serene little spot just before our lunch stop.  And, no, I didn’t make a purchase.  

We had a lovely picnic lunch at St. Mary the Virgin, Hartpury, which is a church from the 11th century.  The church is part of a group of eight listed buildings and monuments.  

Sights from the afternoon portion of the ride.......

The last picture above is in Upton-upon-Severn, just before our final tea break.

And finally........... into Worcester, where we found two pretty impressive bridges for cyclists and pedestrians.  

Coming in to Worcester.  No shortage of swans in this city!  There's a nice riverside pathway.

We're staying at a hotel very centrally located in the heart of the city.  Pulled in there by about 3:30.  All the usual chores, then out for an early-ish dinner followed by a walk along some of the recommended streets and over to the cathedral.  I happened upon an avid peregrine watcher in the cathedral yard and had a great chat with him about the nesting pair.  He pointed out one of the pair perched away from the nest as well as the nest itself.  Apparently the nest activity is being live-streamed.  There are 4 chicks hatched 5 weeks ago and they're just about ready to fly.  I'll have to go and take a look.  Inside the cathedral it looked like there was a wedding rehearsal going on.  Wandered around for a bit and saw that not all the old dead bodies are buried in London churches!  The first picture is taken from the Internet.

Last two pics of the day are of the Worcester Guildhall.

Good night!

Worcester:

Population:  104,000

Worcester has enough historic treasures to forgive the architectural eyesores from the postwar love affair with all things concrete.  The home of the famous Worcestershire sauce (an unlikely combination of fermented tamarinds and anchovies), this ancient cathedral city was the site of the last battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Worcester, which took place on September 3, 1651.  The defeated Charles II only narrowly escaped the pursuing Roundheads by hiding in an oak tree, an event still celebrated in Worcester every May 29th, when government buildings are decked out with oak sprigs.  The most famous landmark in Worcester is the Anglican Worcester Cathedral.  Construction began in 1084.  Its crypt dates from the 11th century.  It houses the tombs of King John and Prince Arthur.  

Hotel:  Worcester Whitehouse Hotel   www.worcesterwhitehouse.co.uk

Guests staying at the Worcester Whitehouse Hotel can enjoy the University City and also visit the most beautiful sporting venue in England, Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Built in the 16th century, this classic townhouse hotel is adjacent to Foregate Street train station and a short walk from the Worcester City Art Gallery and Museum. Worcester Whitehouse Hotel is situated a stone’s throw away from Worcester Cathedral and the racecourse.

Ride Stats:

82.2 km

802 m (2631 feet)

The Route: