Established around an 8th-century abbey, Evesham is a charming market town that lies on a bend in the River Avon. It forms part of the Vale of Evesham, which has long been a hub for market gardening, and was the site of a major battle during the Second Barons’ War.
Things to do in Evesham
Occupying the 14th-century Evesham Abbey is the Almonry Museum, which has been detailing the history of the town since 1957. Learn about the Benedictine monk who once resided in the building and provided alms to the poor before the abbey was closed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. In addition to an exhibit about the Battle of Evesham, the museum features displays of traditional clothing and Anglo-Saxon burial treasures.
In the heart of Evesham is St. Lawrence’s Church, which was originally built by the monks of Evesham Abbey in the 12th century. It is renowned for its stunning stained glass windows depicting the last supper and resurrection, while it also features an intricately patterned vaulted ceiling in the Chapel of St. Clement.
Travelling with kids? Don’t miss a visit to All Things Wild, a family-friendly attraction where you can get up close to friendly farm animals, as well as lemurs, zebras and camels. Children will love the pedal go-karts and Jungle Mayhem soft play area, as well as the Dino Land Train that takes in life-like statues of prehistoric animals.
Getting around Evesham
Evesham is around 30 minutes’ drive from Worcester and an hour from the centre of Birmingham. Birmingham Airport is 45 minutes away and has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Regular trains connect to the Evesham railway station and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.