NESTLED just a stone's throw away from Worcester City centre, on its northern outskirts, are The Tything and Barbourne.

Despite being on the fringes of the city centre, this is an area steeped in history in its own right.

The Upper Tything is dominated on one side by the Royal Grammar School and along its length take time to look up and admire the impressive Georgian buildings.

According to information from Worcester City Museums, many of these buildings along the Tything and into Barbourne were part of the 18th century reconstruction of the city's suburbs destroyed during the Civil War.

The Tything has another claim to fame too - in Medieval times it became famous for its prostitutes!

Heading into Barbourne there are more great places to stop, shop or just enjoy, including at the far end, Gheluvelt Park, a peaceful green space ideal for a gentle stroll or a picnic.

At the top of the park are the remains of the Barbourne Water Tower built in 1770 and demolished in the 1960s. In its heyday, the tower was an important part of the city water works.

According to information held by Worcester City Museums, the water was taken from the Severn and pumped through the tower and along wooden pipes into a centre supply. The tower became redundant when new water works were built in the 1800s and was converted into homes before being demolished.

The Tything and Barbourne are now thriving shopping areas and desirable places to live with tree-lined streets yet close to the bustling main thoroughfare.

The area is a residential suburb yet a place worth a visit in its own right. The Tything is home to a range of shops and services

providing everything from lighting and glass to solicitors, pubs and hardware shops.

It is also a great place to eat out. As well as several popular pubs, there are numerous restaurants serving all kinds of delicacies and international fayre.

Christopher Harvey, head of policy and representation at the Chamber of Commerce Herefordshire and Worcestershire said: "We are very lucky in Worcester to have a great mix of 'big name' retail chains and smaller, independent shops and The Tything and Barbourne areas of Worcester are full of really interesting and unusual shops stocking everything you could think of from secondhand books to glass ware, gifts and clothes.

"It is these independent shops that give Worcester its unique flavour and character.

Not only are they great for local residents but they also attract tourists, who like to do some shopping in amongst the sight-seeing, and of course this brings extra money into the city.

"Barbourne is a little bit further out of town and is a self-contained shopping area with its own butchers, bakers, hair dressers,

dry-cleaners and grocery store, amongst others, serving the residents of Barbourne and surrounding areas.

"Many people also use it as a stop-off point on their way home from work in the city for last minute purchases so it serves a purpose there too and I am sure many people hope Barbourne's shops continue to thrive.

"The Tything is a little closer to the city centre and is very well known for its antique shops, of which there are many along the main A38. For people in the market for antiques The Tything is well worth a visit and it can be very relaxing strolling along on a Saturday afternoon from one shop to the next.

There are also many independent shops dotted along the main road including a lighting shop and a giftware shop that stocks all manner of interesting things, so it well worth a look.

"A strong retail sector is really good for Worcester city and also the county.

"Not only does it keep money in the county that would have otherwise been spent in other towns or shopping malls, but it creates employment.

"Retailing is one of the county's biggest industry sectors in terms of the number of people it employs and so it is very important to the local economy."

HOW TO GET THERE

By car: There are many - some would say too many - car parks surrounding Worcester's central shopping area. Prices start at 50p per hour.

By train: Travellers emerge from Foregate Street station to find themselves in the centre of the city. Turn right up Foregate Street and you'll join The Tything. Keep going and you'll enter Barbourne.