A VIEWPOINT which commands panoramic views of Worcester has been improved with information panels which illuminate the city's history.

The Ketch viewpoint in Worcester offers panoramic views of Powick Hams, Worcester and the Malvern Hills, as well as improvements made as part of the A4440 Southern Link Road (SLR) scheme.

Now improved interpretation panels have been installed, providing more information about the landscape, wildlife, and historical features on show.

The boards also provide details about significant battles that took place in the area during the English Civil Wars; the Battle of Powick Bridge, September 23, 1642 and the Battle of Worcester, September 3, 1651.

These new panels replace the previous ones that had begun to look tired and were out of date.

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Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, said: “The new information boards at Ketch viewpoint are a great addition to this attraction, offering insight into what’s on view but also taking us back in time to events that happened hundreds of years ago.

“The major improvements delivered by the County Council in this area are hugely important, and a huge amount of effort went in before the works started, to ensure that local ecology and the protection and recording of archaeological remains were taken into consideration when planning these works.”

Before works started on the SLR improvements, excavations were carried out in the area, uncovering over 40 musket, carbine and pistol balls, military equipment, horseshoes, harness fittings, coins and buckles.

Daniel Daniels, Chairman of The Battle of Worcester Society said: "Worcester played a pivotal part in the history of the civil war. The Battle of Worcester was the final act in a series of conflicts between King and Parliament that started in Worcester and ended in Worcester.

"The Battle of Worcester was fought by infantry and cavalry across a wide area extending from Powick and St. Johns and into the city itself. The areas around Fort Royal, Sidbury and St. Martin's, in particular, saw brutal hand-to-hand street fighting between the Royalist troops and Cromwell's New Model Army.

"The newly erected interpretation panel serves as a poignant reminder of this crucial battle and the strategic and historical importance of Worcester.” The boards give further details about the English Civil Wars and what was found on site, as part of the excavations. They also provide information on the Malvern Hills, River Severn, River Teme, the general landscape and Carrington Bridge."