Discovering Worcester on the Worcester Stands Tall Sculpture Trail
As the Worcester Stands Tall giraffe sculpture trail enters its final weekend of a 10 week run in the UK city of Worcester, I look back on how exciting my trip exploring the trail and the area was. Without a doubt, the greatest joy about these kinds of sculpture trails for me is how they introduce you to a city/area and lead you to discover places you may not have found without them, thus fuelling the culture seeking side of my personality.
In Worcester, a city I did not know at all, I encountered all sorts of beautiful buildings from the cathedral and Guildhall to the Tudor buildings on Friar Street. I learnt of Worcester’s history and musical heritage, discovered leading figures that shaped Worcester’s identity and indulged my arty side with a visit to the Royal Worcester Museum. In the 2 short days I was there, I could not hope to see and do everything the city has to offer, but I certainly found enough to inspire a further few trips…..and all thanks to the Worcester Stands Tall sculpture trail.
How? And what’s it all about? Well, read on…
The Aim of the Game
With many of the other sculpture trails I’ve visited this summer from bees in Manchester to robins in Nottingham, the link between the sculpture and the city is obvious. Manchester has a long standing association with the worker bee and Nottingham’s link with Robin Hood made the robin the perfect bird to choose for its Hoodwinked trail. Then although I wasn’t initially aware of the link between Maggie’s Penguins and Dundee as I knew nothing about the city before visiting, a short amount of research later I soon knew of the link with Captain Scott’s Antarctic exploration on RRS Discovery (which still stands on Dundee’s waterfront) where of course you’ll find penguins.
Giraffes and Worcester though? The link was not apparent in the slightest so even on my drive down the M6 I was still mystified…
Seeing images of the giraffes on social media prior to visiting did little to prepare me for their sheer size. They are certainly the tallest sculptures of their kind I’ve seen in my travels and being an artist myself, I immediately wondered about the logistics of painting one of these creatures, knowing that many of the artists work on the sculptures at home. I was amused at some of the stories I heard of painting in hallways and blocking stairs access as it’s the only place the sculpture would fit. The giraffes are after all 8ft tall, even more so once on their plinths out on the trail.
If you’re familiar with my blog and have read about previous sculpture trails I’ve explored you’ll know all about the aims of these trails and all the great things that they bring to the area.
The Worcester Stands Tall giraffes are decorated by local and national artists and sponsored by local businesses as a means of attracting more visitors to the city and boosting the local economy while raising awareness and vital funds for St Richard’s Hospice. The hospice provides care and support for patients (and their families) with life-limiting illnesses across Worcestershire, helping them to live life to the fullest for as long as possible. Worcester Stands Tall is specifically helping to raise funds for the Build 2020 Appeal which is the project behind the hospice expansion, estimated to cost £5.3m.
There are 30 full size giraffes that make up the Worcester Stands Tall trail and they are joined by 27 calves that have mostly been decorated by children from local schools.
Brought to life by leading public art company Wild in Art who have created numerous sculpture trails across the UK and beyond (including all those mentioned previously), the main aims Wild in Art seek to fulfil are to “entertain, enrich, inform and leave a lasting legacy.” And I’d say Worcester Stands Tall does just that.
I lost count of the number of children I saw running up to each giraffe, then clammering to borrow Mum or Dad’s phone to unlock the giraffe on the app and take a selfie. There was even a large running group gathered by one of the giraffes preparing to run the whole trail in one evening. Now that’s dedication! I much preferred my leisurely 2 day jaunt with regular cuppa stops, a museum here, a church there and of course a spot of retail therapy. However you choose to explore the trail and city though, one thing is for sure – an entertaining fun-filled day out is guaranteed.
The Trail and the City
I had downloaded the mobile app prior to arriving in Worcester so I knew the trail was very walk-able and could be done in a day, however it wasn’t till I picked up the physical trail leaflet that I found there was an ideal route mapped out to follow with the giraffes numbered in the order you find them.
Of course by then I’d already clocked up a few giraffes en route from the cathedral up the main shopping street (High Street) to my lunch spot and the trail pop up shop in Crowngate shopping centre.
Gilded Gerty was a real delight as it was just like looking at my cake stand at home! The artist had perfectly incorporated the popular Royal Worcester gilded fruit porcelain design into their giraffe. Positioned outside the stunning facade of the Guildhall, Worcester’s civic building which incidentally is also edged in gold, the giraffe and setting matched perfectly, intriguing me as to what the rest of the trail would uncover.
My foray into the pop up shop early on was extremely fruitful as not only did I come out laden with goodies, (organisers: note the tea-towels and postcards of all the sculptures are the perfect merchandise for me and should be done for all trails) I also gleaned the link between Worcester and the giraffe!
Thinking that the staff running the pop-up shop may just have the answer, I asked the question, and it turns out that although the giraffe image was chosen first, locals established a nice little link soon after. There is an image of a giraffe in the great west window of Worcester Cathedral which has recently been restored and looks particularly resplendent. But what is unusual is that the stained glass giraffe is pink in colour. No one is quite sure why it is pink – whether it was done to compliment the colours in the window or was purely a mistake in the firing process. However, the locals all love their pink giraffe and it’s possibly one of the quirkiest things that people will remember about the cathedral.
To celebrate the cathedral’s pink giraffe, the trail features a rose gold giraffe calf situated just inside the cathedral entrance.
Needless to say, it didn’t take me long to go exploring and see both. I never need an excuse to visit a cathedral as I just love the architecture of them and they are usually my first port of call when visiting a new city. Worcester’s cathedral interior is absolutely stunning and I wandered round for ages admiring what seemed like every little detail. I’d say it definitely ranks high amongst my favourite UK cathedrals.
The trail took me up Friar Street to find Worceraffe whose design captures the beautiful mix of buildings that Worcester is known for including the Georgian red brick, the Tudor black and white and the more modern rendered colours. Rich in timber-framed buildings hanging at jaunty angles into the street, Friar Street is reminiscent of the famous Shambles in York. One of the finest buildings on the road is the National Trust Property Greyfriars House and Garden which unfortunately I didn’t have time to visit.
Walking up Foregate I discovered Worcester’s Courtrooms and Art Gallery by Swirly Whirly Worcester Land. I never would have seen The Hopmarket if I hadn’t been searching for The Dreaming Giraffe and I probably would have walked straight past the beautiful gated courtyard of Worcester Municipal Charities situated opposite, as I only noticed it as I left The Hopmarket’s courtyard.
Finding Bumble introduced me to Worcester’s public and university library called The Hive and Girafficus pointed me to The Commandery, a Grade 1 listed building (now a museum) which was famously used as a Royalist HQ during the decisive Battle of Worcester in 1651. Note the impressive armour sculpture on the bridge in front.
After visiting Snowdrop, I discovered that St Andrew’s Spire, which from all other areas of the city looks like a church, is actually just a tower. It stands on the site of the original St Andrew’s Church and is now home to a garden of remembrance. Measuring 245 feet, it is the tallest spire in the country with such a narrow angle of taper. Around the base I found a celebration garden of over 1000 handcrafted snowdrops, which I later found out online, had been planted as part of a campaign by St Richard’s Hospice to encourage people to celebrate someone or something special. It turns out I was lucky to see them as they were only due to be there till the August bank holiday as part of the Worcester festival. Luckily I’d managed to time my visit about half way through the festival.
As I continued unlocking giraffes, it became clear that the ‘rewards’ you gained though the app were of the educational kind. Unlike so many other trails I’ve followed in the past whose apps unlock money off promotions from participating sponsors, when you unlock a giraffe you gain knowledge about the site where that giraffe is located. I actually rather like this approach as it tells me more about the place I’m visiting: its history and its importance. As a short term visitor to the city this enriches my experience so much more than gathering a plethora of offers I am unable to use as I’m not there long enough or live locally.
Through unlocking Knecker-er Bocker Glory at The Quay, I learnt that Worcester once had a flourishing glove making industry which peaked at the turn of the 19th century when nearly half of the country’s glove manufacturers were located in Worcester. Some of the original warehouses still stand there, though they’ve now been transformed into restaurants and hotels such as Browns.
In walking round Castle Street to unlock Giraffa Chameleondalis by the Racecourse, the app details information about the former Royal infirmary (now the university) which this giraffe overlooks and apparently inside there is a museum dedicated to exploring the medical stories of one of England’s oldest infirmaries.
The app also educated me as to what the term ‘The Shambles’ refers to. I’ve come across this road name in a few UK towns and cities including York and Whitby and after locating Giraffsy Graffiti on Worcester’s Shambles, I now know more: it refers to a single place where butchers gathered to sell meat from stalls and shops.
The origin of Worcestershire Sauce, the city’s popular condiment is highlighted by chef giraffe: A Tall Order located in Angel Place. The heart-warming story of Worcester chemists Lea and Perrins is told in the app.
I learnt all about the various bridges that span the River Severn as many of the giraffes are located along the river on both sides. It’s a beautiful walk down to Diglis Bridge to unlock An Outstanding Source, the most out of the way giraffe on the trail and who has a gorgeous view of the Malvern Hills beyond. I may not have discovered just how unusual Diglis Bridge is without the app. It is believed to be one of only two bridges in the world where the cable-stayed tower inclines towards the span of the river, the other being in Tasmania, so just about as far across the other side of the world as you can get. A fascinating piece of Worcester trivia!
I was introduced to Cripplegate and Fort Royal Parks, (both of which are visited on the trail) to Edward Elgar, probably Worcester’s most famous historical figure and to Berrow’s Journal, the world’s oldest newspaper founded in 1690 and sister title to The Worcester News, sponsor of Arthur The Giraffa in Banana Pyjamas. This giraffe is located on The Cornmarket next to the statue of Vesta Tilley, the famous music hall performer who was born in Worcester and known for impersonating men in her acts.
Lastly, finding Have a Giraffe! who features a coat of giraffe jokes unlocked the Water Gate reward which tells you to look out for the gateway a little way up the river that houses stone markers recording water levels of the Severn going back to 1672. Unfortunately as I was walking the trail at this point in the opposite direction, I’d already passed the gateway and didn’t really have time to go back, so I didn’t get to find out what year had the worst flood – something to make sure I check out next time I’m in Worcester.
Along with visiting the Art Gallery and Museum, The Commandery, The Infirmary Museum, The Tudor House Museum and Greyfriars House, as well as a whole host of other places I’ve discovered nearby such as The Firs – Elgar’s Birthplace and Spetchley Park, I know it won’t be long before I make a return journey to Worcester. I can only thank Worcester Stands Tall for such a great and in depth introduction to this wonderful UK city.
Who’d have thought I’d find such a fascinating place, home to some colourful characters and world famous ‘greats’, award winning architecture, the tallest spire with the steepest taper, the world’s oldest newspaper, a street plucked straight out of Tudor England and not forgetting that most unusual bridge. Yes… I can highly recommend a visit to Worcester!
The Worcester Stands Tall tower of giraffes is still hoofing around in Worcester till Sunday 16th September when after that they’ll be spruced up ready for auction to raise money for St Richard’s Hospice.
Prior to the auction there will be a farewell weekend which will see all the giraffes come together in one place at Worcester Cathedral’s Chapter House. So if you haven’t yet managed to see the giraffes, why not consider buying a ticket to the farewell event: Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th October (Adult price is £6.00)
Have you completed the Worcester Stands tall sculpture trail? If so, do you have a favourite giraffe? Please drop me a line in the comments below and let me know.
Interested in Sculpture Trails?
Then you might like to read about the Hoodwinked sculpture trail in Nottingham (on till the 30th September 2018)
PIN IT!
If you’ve enjoyed reading this, please subscribe to my blog via email over on my profile page or through Bloglovin’. Then head on over to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to keep up with all my travel related news. Hope to see you there.
Share this:
Leave A Comment