Alcester, A Civil Parish and a Market Town at the Junction of the River Arrow and River Alne in the English County of Warwickshire
The market town and civil parish of Alcester is of Roman origin. It lies where the River Arrow and River Alne intersects in Warwickshire County, England close to the Worcestershire border. The town is around 8 miles south of Redditch and 8 miles west of Stratford-upon-Avon.
According to antiquarian and poet, John Leland, considered the father of English local history, the name place was taken from River Alne. The suffix “cester” evolved from the Saxon word ceaster meaning a Roman town or fort.
Alcester Cultural Heritage
At present, this market town is proud of its architectural heritage which spans from the Middle Ages, Tudor, Georgian, Victorian to the 20th Century. The Old Malthouse which dates from around 1500 is considered the oldest house in this town. It is at the corner of Malt Mill Lane and Church Street. The St Nicholas Church, a Grade II building, has a clock unusually positioned on the south-west corner of the 14th Century tower which is quite visible from the High Street. It is believed that Francis Smith of Warwick designed the Georgian nave of the church with its plastered ceiling and Doric columns.
Things to See and Do in Alcester
Things to see and do in Alcester include a visit to some of the town’s landmarks such as the two stately homes in its neighbourhood. There is the Coughton Court which is now a National Trust Property and the Throckmorton Baronets family seat located north of town. Then there is Ragley Hill, the residence of Marquis of Hertford located south-west of the town. There is a children’s adventure playground in the gardens of Ragley Hill.
Alcester also has two pubs, the New Cross keys and the Bear Hotel for those who seek refreshment and fun after dark.