Worcester Cathedral stands on a bluff above the River Severn, its Norman crypt and Gothic tower visible from miles around. Construction began in 1084, and the building you see today spans eight centuries of English ecclesiastical architecture — from the massive round pillars of the crypt to the Perpendicular Gothic nave, completed in the 15th century.
The tomb of King John sits at the centre of the cathedral, the oldest royal effigy in England. Prince Arthur, elder brother of Henry VIII, is buried here too — his chantry chapel is one of the most ornate pieces of late Gothic stonework in the country. Arthur died in 1502, aged fifteen, just months after marrying Catherine of Aragon; had he lived, the entire Tudor story would have been different. The cathedral also contains fine medieval misericords in the choir stalls, worth crouching down to inspect.
Entry is free, though donations are welcomed. The tower offers views over the Severn valley and the Malvern Hills on clear days. The cathedral hosts a number of events through the year, including the Three Choirs Festival, which rotates between Worcester, Hereford, and Gloucester.