Summary of Best Things to Do in Evesham
This compact market town on the northern edge of the Cotswolds was once under the influence of the third largest abbey in England.
Nearly 500 years after Evesham Abbey was disbanded, its legacy continues through an Almonry (presently a museum), two local churches, a tithe barn, and the remnants of the abbey church tower.
Evesham is situated by a meander on the River Avon, which provides a picturesque setting for picnics and is accessible via an antiquated cable ferry.
In July, the river hosts a festival featuring illuminated boats, entertaining races, and a fireworks display.
The broader Vale of Evesham has a longstanding tradition of fruit cultivation, particularly stunning in spring when approximately 3,000 acres of orchards flourish in bloom.
Let’s examine the best attractions in Evesham:
1. Almonry Museum
The 14th-century Almonry, where alms were distributed, serves as a remarkable setting for the town’s museum.
The museum comprises 12 rooms where visitors can learn about historical events such as the Battle of Evesham (1265) during the Second Barons’ War.
Exhibits include treasures from an Anglo-Saxon burial, garments from the 1700s, displays highlighting local agriculture throughout history, and galleries commemorating life in Evesham during the two World Wars.
Additionally, other exhibitions explore broader themes like palaeontology and archaeology.
The garden is equally delightful, featuring a cannon captured during the Battle of Sebastopol (1855) in the Crimean War.
2. Abbey Park
The grounds of Evesham Abbey are a joy to explore, particularly for families with young children.
During summer, visitors can enjoy a water play fountain alongside the park’s expansive playground.
For a tranquil moment, one may stroll along the lime avenue next to the Avon, stopping by the lily pool and various ornamental flower beds.
Boat trips on the river are available for £5 (adult) during the summer, and the avenue is especially romantic in the illuminated evenings.
A noteworthy feature in the park is the memorial to Simon de Montfort, a key figure in the Barons’ rebellion and a proponent of parliamentary reform, who was slain at the Battle of Evesham.
Originally buried beneath the abbey church’s altar, a replacement stone memorial was brought from France in 1965 to mark his grave.
3. Evesham Abbey Tower
This structure endured a fate common across England in the 16th century when it was demolished during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII. At its peak, this Benedictine community ranked among the wealthiest in the nation, with the original site spanning over 8,300 square meters.
The only remaining part of the abbey church is the Perpendicular Gothic bell tower, erected shortly before the abbey’s dissolution.
This three-storey edifice is well-preserved, featuring rows of blind trefoil arches and pinnacles adorned with crockets atop the roof.
4. St Lawrence’s Church
Among the notable religious edifices in central Evesham, this 12th-century church originated from the monks of Evesham Abbey.
The monument has experienced a tumultuous history, losing its vicar mid-17th century, followed by its roof in the early 19th century.
In the 1830s, the church underwent repairs, and a north aisle was constructed to correspond with the 15th-century south aisle.
Currently, St Lawrence’s showcases predominantly Perpendicular Gothic architecture from the 1400s, augmented with 19th-century Gothic Revival elements, particularly noticeable in its splendid stained glass windows.
After services ceased in the 1970s, the church has been repurposed as a concert venue noted for its exceptional acoustics.
5. Blossom Trail
If you visit Evesham in early spring, it is essential to explore the surrounding Vale of Evesham.
This landscape is abundant with fruit trees cultivating plums, apples, cherries, and pears.
There are approximately 3,000 acres of orchards in the Vale of Evesham, and the blossom trail extends for 45 miles.
The blooming period varies, but typically in April, you can traverse country lanes and main roads as the trees burst into bloom, offering a stunning display of white and pink.
The blossoms of plums and damsons are the first to emerge, followed by those of pears, cherries, and apples.
6. Evesham Vale Light Railway
A pleasant way to experience the idyllic countryside of the Evesham Vale without venturing too far from the town is to visit the railway.
Since 2002, this venue has been home to the Evesham Vale Light Railway, featuring a 15-inch rail line stretching over a mile.
Visitors can ride in a semi-open coach or a luxurious saloon carriage, drawn by one of five steam or diesel locomotives.
This activity is particularly enjoyable during spring, as the track passes through an apple orchard, offering the opportunity to disembark at Evesham Vale Station for a stroll and a picnic.
7. Regal Cinema
Not your typical cinema, Regal Cinema is an Art Deco masterpiece created by Hurley Robinson in 1932 and currently holds a Grade II listing.
The building underwent restoration in the 2000s and reopened as a performing arts center for the community.
In addition to screening Hollywood blockbusters and new independent films, Regal Cinema features a diverse program of comedy shows, live music, and more.
For families, designated screenings for kids are available on weekends and weekday mornings during school holidays.
The bar/restaurant located at the rear of the auditorium offers table service during films, accompanied by giant “love seats” and blankets for added comfort.
8. The Valley
The site of the light railway, The Valley is an attraction that is somewhat hard to describe.
Spanning 125 acres of serene rural landscapes, it serves as a blend between a country park, a garden center, and a pedestrian mall.
While guests can meander along trails and enjoy picnics, they can also engage in shopping at outdoor retail outlets such as Mountain Warehouse and Barbour.
Blue Diamond Home & Garden operates as a large garden center, while the Boardman Performance Centre provides facilities for serious cyclists, including positional biomechanics measurements.
In addition to the light railway, there is also a castle-like adventure playground that opened in 2015 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the Battle of Evesham.
9. Hampton Ferry
Located at the end of Boat Lane to the west of Evesham, a pedestrian cable ferry crosses the River Avon.
This ferry is operated manually; upon stepping onto the vessel, the ferryman will pull you across to the opposite bank via a cable that sinks to the riverbed, allowing regular traffic to pass.
The ferry can be reached on foot in approximately 15 minutes from Evesham’s Market Square, providing a picturesque country walk.
A pub beside the river invites visitors to relax and take in this charming setting.
The ferry’s location has been consistent since the 13th century, selected by the monks of Evesham Abbey for access to their vineyard on Clark’s Hill.
10. Evesham Arts Centre
Established in 1978, the volunteer-operated Evesham Arts Centre is affiliated with Prince Henry’s High School.
During school hours, it serves as a facility for drama studies but also doubles as a performing arts venue for the local community.
The auditorium accommodates up to 312 guests and features an exhibition space and studio theatre for 60 spectators, in addition to a licensed bar and café.
The program is filled with both professional and amateur entertainment options.
Visitors can enjoy touring stand-up comedians, theatrical productions, musicals, live music events, children’s shows, and an annual Christmas pantomime.
Moreover, there is a rich local amateur arts scene worth experiencing.
11. All Saints’ Church
The final noteworthy medieval religious structure in Evesham is the Grade I-listed All Saints’ Church, also established by the monks of Evesham Abbey.
Currently, All Saints’ serves as the town’s parish church, adjacent to the bell tower and sharing a churchyard with St Lawrence’s.
Like its neighbor, it originated in the 12th century but underwent reworking in the existing Perpendicular style.
Notably, the porch draws attention due to its distinctive design and the intricate ornamentation of its carved paneling and quatrefoil friezes.
A highlight of the interior is the Perpendicular font, featuring quatrefoils on its arcaded stem, while the Edwardian chancel gates exhibit a remarkable Arts and Crafts design.
12. All Things Wild
Located a short 15-minute drive away, or a single train stop from Honeybourne, All Things Wild is an animal-themed family attraction offering both indoor and outdoor activities.
Outside, guests can explore life-sized model dinosaurs, a lemur walk-through, wallabies, play areas, farm animals, adventure golf, pedal-karts, a land train, and diggers that children can operate.
In inclement weather, All Things Wild features a “dino barn,” a reptile room, a barn for farm animals, three indoor soft play areas, an indoor beach, pedal tractors, and much more.
All animal habitats are spacious and humane, and for an additional fee, children can partake in experiences such as becoming a keeper for the day or hand-feeding meerkats.
13. The Fleece Inn
Just a short distance into the Worcestershire countryside, The Fleece Inn is a National Trust pub with a history dating back to the 1400s.
The current half-timbered structure dates from the 17th century and remained within the Byrd family until 1977, when it was bequeathed to the Trust.
As well as offering local ales, ciders, and traditional pub fare, visitors will find intriguing historical details to discover.
This includes a set of 17th-century pewter ware believed to have belonged to Oliver Cromwell, as well as the inn’s preservation of the old custom of chalk circles before its hearths to ward off witches.
14. Middle Littleton Tithe Barn
This National Trust site in the village of Middle Littleton offers a glimpse into medieval life in the Vale of Evesham.
The Tithe Barn dates back to the 12th or 13th century and was formerly owned by Evesham Abbey.
This remarkable structure, nearly 40 meters in length, is built from Cotswold limestone and blue lias, topped with a stone-tiled roof.
As a Grade I monument, this barn historically stored produce collected as a tax by the abbey from local farms.
It ranks as one of the largest and finest barns in England, illustrating the power that the abbey held during medieval times.
Within the same complex, a preserved cider press reflects Evesham’s longstanding fruit cultivation tradition, indicating that most tithes were paid in apples and pears.
15. Evesham River Boat Festival
In mid-July, a festival is hosted on the river at Workman Garden, located directly across from Abbey Park.
This two-day event has been an annual tradition for over 30 years, with a changing program each year while retaining certain staples.
One staple is the themed illuminated flotilla, occurring after sunset on the final evening, followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
In 2018, the festival featured demonstrations by water rescue dogs, a vintage steamboat rally, a watersports relay, and a race for individuals who built their own rafts.
Additionally, attendees can enjoy live music, food stalls, and numerous activities catering to children.
