Worcester Swansea Train

With Birmingham to the north and Gloucester to the south, the city of Worcester is located in the West Midlands of England. The picturesque city is dominated by its cathedral and by the River Severn that runs though it. The city hosts a number of cultural events each year. The Worcester Festival celebrates a variety of music, theatre and cinema and is held every August. The festival concludes with a firework display on the banks of the River Severn on the Monday of the August Bank Holiday weekend. Now in its 4th year the city also hosts the Worcester Music Festival which includes original music performed mainly by local bands and artists. Performances are free and are held in the many bars, clubs and community buildings in the city, including churches. Another recently formed event is the Worcester Film Festival that was founded in 2012. The festival is focused on placing Worcestershire on the film-making map and encourages local people to get involved in film making. Finally, there is the Victorian themed Christmas Fayre which attracts many visitors each year.

Composer Sir Edward Elgar's father ran a music shop at the end of High Street and a statue of Sir Edward Elgar stands near the original location of that shop. His birthplace is a short way outside Worcester in the village of Broadheath.

The city of Swansea, located in South Wales, has a sweeping waterfront that leads to Mumbles and then on to the beautiful Gower Peninsular. Visitors to the city will find many attractions ranging from galleries and museums, waterparks and beautiful countryside. The City Centre is a vibrant hub with over 230 shops and a fabulous market that’s home to all sorts of local delicacies. There are loads of places to visit including the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum to name but a few. One of Swansea’s museums is Wales’ newest and the other is Wales’ oldest – Dylan Thomas even described it as a “museum that belongs in a museum.” For outdoor activities why not explore some of Swansea’s many parks and gardens – 5 of them (Clyne Gardens, Singleton Botanical Gardens, Victoria Park, Cwmdonkin Park and Brynmill Park) have a Green Flag Award and are great places to go with the family. Venturing slightly further afield, take a trip to Mumbles If you feel the urge for a bit of retail therapy. There is a range of high end shops, independent boutiques and quirky galleries, you can really spoil yourself when you visit Mumbles. You will find everything from designer labels, handmade crafts or surfing gear.