Location: Home » The Council » Chief Executive » BVPP-About

Best Value Performance Plan 2001

About Worcestershire

The County of Worcestershire enjoys a prime location in the West Midlands region covering 173,529 hectares and has a population of approximately 540,000. The major centres of population are the City of Worcester and the towns of Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Evesham, Kidderminster, Malvern and Redditch.

The County has a rich rural heritage and has benefited from strong industrial development. Many firms with worldwide reputations are based within its boundaries. This industrial growth has been strengthened by the securing of many new inward investment opportunities with multi-national companies enjoying the benefits of being located in the County.

Tourism also plays a large part of the local economy. The landscape is full of interest and contrast with real character and a wealth of history. There are numerous small villages with historical buildings, interesting churches, country houses and gardens and of course there is the ancient City of Worcester with its Cathedral. Malvern, in the south west of the County, is famed for its hills and mineral waters whilst Royal Worcester porcelain is recognised worldwide. The Vale of Evesham, in the fertile valley of the River Avon, is noted for its market gardens, orchards and blossoms.

People who live and work in Worcestershire have the advantage of easy access to Stratford-upon-Avon, Birmingham, the Costwolds, Wales and the South West. The County is well served by the M5, M42, M40 and M50 motorways and Worcester, Evesham and Malvern are on the main rail route to Oxford and London. Commuter rail services give easy access to Birmingham, and the close proximity of Birmingham International Airport offers facilities for worldwide travel.

There is an abundance of first class facilities for those keen on sport ranging from Worcestershire County Cricket Club and Worcester race course to a multiplicity of football, rugby, rowing clubs, bowling greens, flying and canoeing clubs. These together with country parks and many other leisure facilities are just some of the County's attractions.

The County offers exceptional quality of life and choice of places to live. A wide range of housing from modern town property in new towns to character houses in rural villages. There is also an exciting variety of shopping and cultural facilities across the County including local theatres, music and arts festivals.

The area is well served by a large number of schools of all types. The universities of Aston, Birmingham, Coventry and Warwick are close to hand. Within the County, there are five colleges of further education including a combined College of Horticulture and Agriculture, as well as the University College, Worcester.