Jobs in Worcester | Pictures of Worcester

Located in the heart of England and surrounded by a designated area of outstanding natural beauty, it is easy to see why Worcester is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK . It is a city that successfully manages to blend both old and new together without the grotesque consequences.

And with its close proximity to Birmingham , England 's second city, Worcester offers the perfect balance between provincial splendour and modern city living that is attracting a significant number of people looking to relocate to the area.

Getting around Worcester
Located on the M5 motorway, Worcester is easily accessible by road for those travelling from the Warwick , Kidderminster and Cheltenham areas. And if you want to avoid the morning rush hour traffic, there is a Park & Ride site located at Perdiswell on Droitwich Road (A38). Alternatively, there is public transport.

The city itself is served by two rail stations but the majority of services run through Worcester Foregate (the other being Worcester Shrub Hill) in the city centre, with services running to and from Droitwich Spa, Malvern Link, Kidderminster and Birmingham Snow Hill. And given the city's close proximity to Birmingham , Worcester has a decent bus network which runs frequent services throughout the region with most routes passing through the main bus station.

Eating, drinking and shopping in Worcester
Famed for its porcelain and as the birthplace of Britain 's most celebrated composer, Sir Edward Elgar, Worcester has more to offer than nostalgia. Turning your attentions away from the array of Tudor and Georgian architecture that draws visitors to Worcester in their droves and you will find a very modern city that is regarded as the fourth best shopping centre in the Midlands . And with good reason.

Split into a number of distinct areas, Worcester offers a good mix of independent stores that rub shoulders with the more familiar high street names.

The centre itself is pedestrianised and compact which makes for easy walking across the city's major shopping areas. Using the Cathedral as your landmark, Broad Street and High Street have a good choice of familiar chain stores such as Marks & Spencer, Boots and Debenhams as well as a number of independent shops. At the southern end of the High Street and opposite the Cathedral itself is Cathedral Plaza Shopping Centre which is home to the likes of Next, H&M and Monsoon.

Elsewhere, CrownGate, the city's largest shopping centre, houses over 70 shops, including House of Fraser, Boots and Debenhams. Whereas The Shambles and Reindeer Court are dominated by a plethora of fashion boutiques, jewellers, antique and quirky shops along with a number of coffee shops for when you need a breather. Whilst Foregate, Hopmarket and the Cornmarket are also worth a look around if you are looking for something a little different, quirky or unusual.

And when it comes to going out in the evening, Worcester boasts more than 100 bars and restaurants dotted around the area. The café bars and coffee houses are located where you would expect to find them - at the heart of the respective shopping districts. But whether you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a drink or eat out, your best bet is to head to the New Street area where the one-way road system starts. New Street merges onto a number of other roads that head in the direction of Foregate Street rail station with a significant number of places to wide and dine that offer everything from traditional pub grub or international cuisine to fine dining, old style pubs and fashionable modern bars.

Worcester's cultural offering is manifested in its striking and somewhat imposing Cathedral that dates back over 1,000 years and is the final resting place for the disgraced King John who famously stabbed (not literally) his older brother, Richard the Lionheart, in the back whilst he was fighting in The Crusades. And the city's culture and rich history is further immortalised in the Commandary Civil War Centre in homage to Worcester 's role as a key Royalist stronghold against Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarians. Whilst the EcoTarium Museum of Science and Nature and Royal Worcester Porcelain Works - which celebrates the city's more recent history – are both worth a visit if you have some spare time over the weekend.

The Swan and Huntington Hall theatres run a comprehensive programme of productions throughout the year along with additional regular concerts and performances in the cathedral. Whereas the Vue and Odeon multi-screen cinemas on Friar Street and Foregate Street respectively screen the latest films.

If you appreciate your sport, Worcester 's choice of venues is one of the best on the country. The city is home to Worcestershire County Cricket Club, Guinness Premiership rugby union side Worcester Warriors, and Worcester racecourse – one of the premier race tracks in the UK . And there is a good choice of public leisure and sports facilities and private health clubs, along with a strong water sports sector such as rowing and canoeing.

Main residential areas
Local estates agents have reported a significant growth in the number of new buyers moving to the area from London and the South East as opposed to their traditionally preferred locations along the M4 corridor on account of the quality of life available in Worcester combined with the fact that property prices have yet to succumb to over-inflation.

For those looking for city centre living, the area south of the Cathedral where the old porcelain factory has been converted and developed is one of the most sought after places to rent or buy along with Diglis docks and marina, which have been the subject of a major redevelopment.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Worcester.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Worcester below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Worcester or find out more information on the local area.