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Go to the stages of the walk

One of the great legacies of the era of Victorian prosperity was the opening of public libraries, and Worcester was just one place where a magnificent new public building was constructed at the end of the nineteenth century.

Before the Victoria Institute was built, the city's library and museum were housed in a number of different buildings - in 1825, Pigots Directory recorded that the library was in the Guildhall, and in 1835 the museum and library moved to a new building situated where the Odeon cinema is now.

In 1884, a campaign started in the city to build a combined museum, library and school of art and science in time for the jubilee of Queen Victoria.

The foundation stone was laid by The Duke of York - the future King George V - on 3 April 1894.

The city decided it was really going to push the boat out to make his visit one to remember.

The Worcester Herald commented on "decorated streets, the imposing processions, the magnificent civic entertainment (and) the beautiful illuminations."

All this came at a price - the Worcester city accounts for the time record how all this cost £295.12s.3d - that's the equivalent of £27,728.73 in today's money (according to the Bank of England's inflation calculator).

Lavish reception

There was a civic reception for the Duke and his party at the Guildhall, which was also spruced up for the occasion, with valances, garlands, carpets, trophies and statues.

The Council Chamber was emptied of its furniture and converted into a drawing room for the special use of the Duke.

According to the Worcester Records office, the city accounts reveal that all this came at a cost of £246.14s.3d - that's £23,044.82 in present day money.

The Worcester Herald was in no doubt that it was all worth it, saying: "(The) money spent on banners, garlands and triumphal arches is not wasted, as some people are inclined to think."

One more comment in the Herald shows how little popular concerns have changed in the course of more than a century.

They record with pride that: "A most gratifying feature of the holiday was the complete absence of disorder and drunkenness."

The opening

The striking building, with its distinctive facade and single turret (complete with weather vane), was opened in 1896.

At the top of the building

It cost £42,000 to build, that's almost £4m in today's money.

Attached to the side of the Victorian Institute, next to the Shire Hall car park, is a strange single story building that looks out of place with the rest of the building.

This is because it is a survival of the Georgian building that stood on the site before the Institute was built.

It's easy to see where the money went - the Victorians were never shy about conspicuous consumption, when it came to public buildings.

The entrance comes complete with a huge royal crest, and a pair of wrought-iron gates to keep out the over-eager reader when the library is shut.

Inside the Institute there is an impressive entrance hall, complete with a magnificent staircase to the first floor museum and art gallery.

Don't forget to look down at the mosaic floors before you leave the building.