What do Costa Coffee (High Street), the Commandery Museum and Lush Cosmetics all have in common? They are just a few of the many timber-framed buildings which still exist today, thanks to the conservation work of architects FWB 'Freddie' and Mary Charles from the 1950s to the 1980s.
A fascinating new walking trail has now been created, which takes in eleven timber-framed buildings in Worcester's city centre which were recorded by the couple.
Funded by Historic England, the trail includes the Golden Lion (103 High Street), the site of a three-bay medieval merchant's house dating to the early 15th century; Nash House (near the corner of Charles Street and New Street), the former home of John Nash, a wealthy clothier and twice Mayor of Worcester; and King Charles House (New Street) – the building from which King Charles II supposedly escaped after the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
Due to their central location many of these buildings are open to the public in one form or other.
The trail was created by Sheena Payne-Lunn, Historic Environment Record Officer at Worcester City Council.
"One of the best things about our Worcester City trail is that almost all of the buildings featured contain either a coffee house or a pub. Not only can you discover the hidden history of our beautiful city, but you can stop off for a pint too!" says Sheena.
"Freddie and Mary were extremely important figures in the conservation of Worcester's heritage, and without their work, the face of our historic city would look very different today."
The trail leaflet is available online at https://bit.ly/2P6CFfq - and in hard copy from Worcester's Tourist Information Centre on the High Street. Scan the QR codes in the leaflet to find out more about the buildings themselves – or go to www.explorethepast.co.uk
