AN INDEPENDENT estate agent has revealed his personal picks of the best places to live in and around Worcester.
Dan Lewis, who grew up just outside the city, prefers the Britannia Square conservation area, waterside Diglis apartments and landscaped Gheluvelt Park neighbourhood.
The heartlands have plenty of life and character but also parks and open spaces to suit young professionals and families alike.
Outside Worcester, Dan, of FreeAgent24/7, chose sought-after Ombersley for village life within easy reach of the city.
He is still based in the city and has 20 years’ experience in the property industry to add to his local knowledge.
Here are Dan’s picks:
Britannia Square WR1
STUNNING: A home in Albany Terrace near Britannia Square (Image: Fine & Country)
The lowdown: The neighbourhood includes the Britannia Square Conservation Area, designed to protect the character of the early 19th Century residential suburb.
Eighty-four buildings are Grade II-listed.
But the heart of the city and one of Dan’s favourite coffee shops are within walking distance.
Dan says: “The Britannia Square area is attractive for its racecourse views and proximity to the heart of the city, including the arches development with the burger shop and Method Coffee Roasters.”
Diglis apartments WR5
WATERSIDE: The River Severn as seen from a restaurant in Diglis (Image: Graham + Sibbald)
The lowdown: Waterside living within easy reach of the city centre and River Severn make Diglis an enticing prospect.
A two-bedroom, top-floor apartment with views over the Diglis Basin is currently listed on Rightmove for £235,000.
Dan says: “For something ’slicker’ I would head to Diglis apartments for waterside living and access to Diglis Park, the new gyms and to be within walking distance of the GoodRoots café”.
Gheluvelt Park WR3
LEAFY: The Gheluvelt Park neighbourhood is a highly desirable part of Worcester to live in (Image: Newsquest)
The lowdown: As well as being on the doorstep of one of Worcester’s most popular parks, the Gheluvelt neighbourhood is in easy reach of shops, restaurants and healthcare services.
A one-bedroom retirement home with a 125-year lease is currently listed at FreeAgent24/7 for £50,000.
Dan says: “Here you get the tennis courts and park on your doorstep plus the Kyndfolk brunch and coffee haven to refuel!
“There’s something for all the family to enjoy.”
Three of the most desirable places to live in Worcestershire
Ombersley
CHARACTER: Ombersley is one of the most desireable places to live in the UK (Image: Newsquest)
The lowdown: Ombersley has been named among the UK’s ‘poshest villages’ by the Daily Mail and is known for its handsome and idyllic character.
A Georgian manor house is currently on the market here for £13.5 million, although the Worcester News has visited to find a mixture of wealth and incomes.
Dan says: “I’d go for Ombersley in WR9 for village life within reach of the city and acres to the motorway network…not to mention some cracking local pubs!”
Or ‘back to my roots…’
Dan says: “For this I’d return to Broadheath-Martley in WR2-6 where you are five minutes from being in the rural depths of Worcestershire or within near reach of St Johns and the other suburbs in the other direction.”
