18/02/2026
- The is currently taking place across our fantastic City. The festival celebrates our museums, attractions and heritage sites. We are very lucky to have such a wide range of sites, where as some towns and cities have just one. We have looked at some of these attractions before, however the oldest site for tourists and visitors is the Cathedral. The Cathedral was a big draw in the Medieval period. This was because the Cathedral held several holy relics inside reliquities and shrines. These were not fixed and could be carried in religious processions around the City. Holy relics included the arm of St Roman and the headband of St Margaret. However the big draw came when two special Bishops died and became Saints. St Oswald and then St Wulfstan. In 1216 the Cathedral also received the body of King John. In 1509 Prince Arthur was also buried in the Cathedral. This caused the Cathedral to see visitors in large numbers. Most were religious Pilgrims who in some cases had travelled many miles on foot. The act of Pilgrimage was a sign of real devotion, a chance to journey to holy sites, to view relics, seek healing or gain penance for sinful wrong doings. It was open to everyone from Monarchs and Princes, to Lords and Peasants. Some Knights and lowly foot soldiers also went on a Pilgrimage prior to battle or marching off to war. It was believed it speeded up the time spent in Purgatory and reaching Heaven. It was also said to give them forgiveness for taking lives in combat. Chaucer wrote about some pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales. Popular sites included Canterbury, Walsingham, Santiago de Compestella, Rome, or even Jerusalem. Pilgrims would get a blessing from their local Bishop, take confessional, and take the often perilous journey to these holy places. Many wore clothes fit for travelling, a Sclavein or long, heavy woollen cloak, a broad brimmed hat and carried a stout staff for crossing streams and climbing hills. A small bag was also carried to hold a small amount of belongings such as food and money. Most stayed at monasteries and monastic communities on route. Visiting sites were very popular in the 12th and 13th Centuries with people visiting Worcester in large numbers too. Visitors would increase if miracles were reported to have taken place. St Oswald was originally buried in the Crypt and Pilgrims would process down one staircase through the beautiful columns and exit via another set of stairs. His saintly remains were eventually moved next to St Wulfstan in the Choir. Visitors would usually take their final steps to the shrines barefoot. Candles were lit, prayers recited and many touched the shrine. Votives that were made from wax, clay or wood representing limbs, ships or animals were left, along with money. It was hoped injured limbs or sick animals at home would be cured, or journeys on board a ship would be safe and uneventful. Money left allowed for the Cathedral to be rebuilt. Pilgrims usually brought home a symbol of their journey. Shells, a pebble or even scrapings from the church were taken. This could explain finger marks on the Monastic gatehouse called the Edgar Gate or Tower. Pilgrim Badges were also purchased. These were made from lead and usually depicted the saints that they visited. Some also had tiny bells. A Pilgrim badge for Worcester was found in Ireland several years ago. This was an ampule or vile, which once contained holy water from Wulfstan's shrine. The Royal tombs would outlive that of our saints. During the break from the Catholic Church under Henry VIII, Pilgrimages were seen as superstitious. The Dissolution of the Monasteries in the 1530s saw shrines dismantled, jewels removed, cloth covers sold, precious metals melted down, and the relics or bones reburied. This happened to the relics held in Worcester Cathedral. The Cathedral continues to be a place for Pilgrims and visitors into the 21st Century, giving it the worthy title of being the oldest attraction in Worcester. Enjoy the Festival wherever you explore this half-term.
