Glovers Needle

Glovers Needle or St. Andrew’s Spire is one of the most visible and historic landmarks in Worcester. Located high on a bank above the River Severn, and next to Deansway road, it can be seen from many miles away and is a memorable feature of the Worcester city skyline

Glover’s Needle was once the spire crowning the roof of St. Andrew’s Church, the Glover’s Needle is all that remains of this former landmark, since the rest of the church was demolished in the 1940s after being condemned.

Glover’s Needle dates from the mid-18th century, being built to replace a previous spire destroyed in a heavy storm, and is named after the city’s famous glove-making industry. The surrounding garden of remembrance is especially tranquil and leads to the riverfront.

It is 245ft (75 metres) high and the ‘sharpness’ of the spire quickly saw it nicknamed ‘The Glovers Needle’ as a mark of respect to the city’s long history of glove manufacturing.

At night the spire is illuminated with a white and blue lighting system with a blue beam projected from the inner window. This is said to symbolise the blue colour in the Scottish flag of St. Andrew. It still contains one of its original five bells which is rung at 6:45pm every evening.