JDR-Leisure

Highly commended at Worcester Welcome Tourism awards - June 2010

Powick Mills      

Accommodating 6 guests.

Location

Powick Mills commands an elevated position on the banks of the River Teme, 1 mile from the city centre of Worcester and 4 miles from Malvern and its magnificent hills and outstanding beauty.

Ground Floor

1. Extensive private entrance hall with geometric patterned floor tiles leading to the kitchen, laundry and drawing room.

2. Large open plan kitchen, dinning and drawing room situated on three split levels ideal for entertaining, leading out through a magnificent original arch window and onto a balcony overlooking the river. The modern German kitchen has high gloss units, induction hob, Siemens’ oven, combination microwave, warming draw and wines cooler.

3. The drawing room is extremely comfortable with unique mix of contemporary and traditional furniture with surround sound systems and large plasma television.

First Floor

1. Large glass fronted gallery overlooking the drawing room and river.

2. Outstanding double bedroom with seating area leading through to a beautiful Italian marbled wet room.

Second Floor

1. Large double contemporary styled bedroom with wall mounted plasma television and seating area.

2. Double bedroom with wall mounted plasma television.

3. Bathroom with separate shower and bath.

The History

A little over a century ago a silent revolution was about to change the face of Worcester forever. Electricity illuminated the main street of the city for the first time on 11^th October 1894.

The power to produce the electricity was not by steam-driven generator but by waterpower – from the first commercial hydroelectric power station to be built in Britain. It had been commissioned by the city council to be sited on the banks of the River Teme at Powick.

In December 1892, the site of the old mills that had stood at Powick for centuries was purchased for the sum of £5,000. The construction of the subsequent building

Cost £15,000 and a tender for £23,000 from the Brush Electrical Engineering Company to supply and install generators and street lighting was accepted. Work began at the site in the autumn of 1893 and was initially hampered by heavy rain rains that caused flooding and landslides. The contracting company had the additional task of building a temporary dam in order to control the floodwater.

Nevertheless, almost exactly a year later the date for the start of the new service had been fixed. The Mayor of Worcester, Mr G R Williamson was to inaugurate the system on 11^th October 1894.  An evening banquet for 300 guests was prepared in the Guildhall following the switching on of the city’s first 27 street lamps situated in the High Street,

Powick Mills and the nearby medieval bridge over the River Teme south of Worcester are recognised as two of the city’s most important landmarks in terms of industrial archaeology and English civil war history. Powick Mills stands immediately upstream of the bridge on a site of significant historical merit, with mention in the 11^th century Doomsday Book recording two mills in use at the time. In the centuries that followed there was iron making, the milling of corn, clay, and malt, and with the construction of the present building in 1894, and Britain’s first commercially operating hydroelectric power station.

The 19^th century structure, a Grade II listed building, has been transformed with meticulous care and exactitude to preserve the original architectural features, with spacious split level unique accommodation provided with the historic framework.

The Services

1. Weekly cleaning of the property.

2. Linen and bath towels.

3. Weekly linen change.

4. Utilities.

5. Wireless internet (BT telephone for emergencies only)

Things to Do

Walking on the Malvern Hills

Fishing on the River Teme and River Severn

Visit Elgar's Birthplace (complimentary discount voucher)

Visit Worcester Cathedral

Attend Worcester Races

Visit Malvern Theatre

Worcester Christmas Market

Three Choirs Festival