Evesham

Evesham is a market town of 28,000 people (2021) in Worcestershire that is roughly equidistant from Worcester, Cheltenham & Stratford-upon-Avon and in the Vale of Evesham.

Understand

Being located in the flood plain of the River Avon the area is well suited to market gardening and the town is famous for its fruit and veg, particularly its asparagus, known by the locals as 'gras'. However, being in a flood plain and being located in a meander of the River Avon, the town is prone to flooding and those from 2007 were the more severe recorded floods.

The town was founded around an 8th-century abbey which was mostly destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries and today only a bell tower remains.

Get in

By road

The town lies alongside the A44 and A46, and is within easy reach of Stratford, Worcester and Cheltenham in addition to the Northern Cotswolds. The M5 motorway (West Bromwich near Birmingham to Exeter) is 11 miles to the W via the A46

By bus

By train
Wikivoyage has a guide to Rail travel in Great Britain

By bicycle

By river

The River Avon is navigable, and is used by narrow boats between the River Severn at Tewkesbury and the canal network at Stratford.

Get around

Evesham is a compact town, and one can easily walk around the town centre. Outside the town, a car is likely to be necessary as bus services can be limited in some areas.

See
  • 🌍 Evesham Abbey. Remains, once home to the 6th largest monastery in England, the Abbey was subject to dissolution during the reign of Henry VIII, resulting in its substantial destruction. The only significant remains that stand today are the 15th-century Bell Tower, the entrance arch to the old Chapter House, and the Almonary. The marked grave of Simon de Montfort, who dies at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, lies close to the Bell Tower. The remains are located within the aptly named Abbey Park, which lies next to the River Avon. During summer, this can be a pleasant spot, and is sometimes host to events such as small funfairs on the neighbouring Crown Meadow ('Party in the Park'), and music at the park's bandstand. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre, Abbey Gate, Evesham. WR11 4BQ (Located within the surviving Abbey Almonry building), ☏ +44 1386 446944, . Mar-Oct: M-Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 2-5PM last entry 4PM; Nov-Feb: M Tu Th-Sa 10AM-5PM last entry 4PM. This museum chronicles the town's history and also houses the town's Tourist Information Centre. Adult £5, child free, senior £2. 
  • Riverside. The navigable River Avon runs through the town, and the town is a popular stop off point for narrowboats. Riverside walks are possible alongside Abbey Park and Workman Gardens, located on either side of the River. 
  • Blossom Trail. The surrounding Vale of Evesham is home to many orchards, which give their name to the 40 mile AA sign posted walking, cycling and driving route (also visiting Broadway and Pershore) that runs close to the town. Between March and May, cherry, pear and apple blossom can be often seen. (updated Apr 2022)
  • 🌍 The Valley - Evesham (Evesham Country Park), WR11 4TP (At the northern end of the Evesham bypass (A46) at junction with the Stratford Rd), ☏ +44 1386 298026, . M-Sa 9:30AM-5:30PM, Su 10:30AM-4:30PM. A garden centre located to the north of the town, comprising of associated shops, countryside walks and a miniature railway. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Middle Littleton Tithe Barn (13th-century tithe barn), Middle Littleton, Evesham WR11 8LN (3 miles NE of Evesham), ☏ +44 1905 371006, . (updated Jun 2017)

Do

Hire a boat and paddle around the river in the centre of the town, or take a visit to the Almonry, a museum dedicated to Evesham's colourful history, including the Battle of Evesham.

Alternatively one can visit the Regal Cinema on Port Street.

Buy

Evesham is not famous for its shopping, but there is still a range of shops on Bridge Street and High Street.

The town benefits from several nice little independent shops, the largest of which being Magpie Antiques, which despite the name also sells toys and collectables and is great for souvenirs and random gift ideas.

The town has two markets, one indoor which is open most days, but is sadly in terminal decline. The outdoor market, which is held on the High Street on Saturdays is a more lively affair, and offers a range of goods.

There is also the Riverside Shopping Centre.

  • 🌍 Riverside Shopping Centre, WR11 4RD, ☏ +44 1386 49442. A small shopping centre mostly dedicated to clothing and accessory stores. There is also an inexpensive multi-storey carpark ajacent to the shopping centre for customer convenience. (updated Feb 2017)
  • 🌍 Morrisons (Supermarket), Davies Rd, Evesham WR11 1DX, ☏ +44 1386 49351. M-Sa 7AM-10PM, Su 10AM-6PM. Petrol station, cafe & pharmacy (different hours) (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Tesco (Supermarket), Worcester Rd, Evesham WR11 4XF, ☏ +44 345 677 9866. M-Sa 6AM-midnight, Su 10AM-4PM. Petrol station (different hours), ATMs, Wi-Fi (updated Jun 2017)

Eat

Evesham has a range of restaurants. The majority are centred around Waterside and Port Street, near to the River, whilst some others are located upon the High Street/Vine Street.

Port Street/Waterside

The most common types of restaurants here are Indian/Bangladeshi restaurants. Evesham does not have a large Asian community, and the majority of workers commute daily from Birmingham.

  • 🌍 Blue Lagoon, 7-8 Waterside, Evesham WR11 1BS, ☏ +44 1386 429383. Su-Th 5:30-11:30PM, F Sa 5:30PM-midnight. (updated Jun 2017)
  • 🌍 Rilys (Indian Restaurant), 2-3 Waterside, Evesham WR11 1BS, ☏ +44 1386 45289. M-Th 5:30-11PM, F Sa 5:30PM-midnight, Su 5:30-10:30PM. (updated Jun 2017)

Other recommended restaurants in this area include

High Street/Vine Street
  • 🌍 River Avon Chinese, 5-7 High St, Evesham WR11 4DA (hidden away on the first floor above the shops on High Street), ☏ +44 1386 442322. Tu-Th 5:30-10:30PM, F Sa 5:30-11:15PM, Su 5:30PM-midnight. Offers good quality food, and is reasonably priced. 
  • 🌍 Thai Emerald, 88 High St, Evesham WR11 4EU (to the north of the High St, two small elephant statues outside), ☏ +44 1386 49788, . M 5-10:30PM, Tu-Su noon-2:30PM & 5:30-10:30PM. Part of a small chain of Thai restaurants. Somewhat pricey, but good quality. (updated Jun 2017)

Elsewhere, the town offers several fast food outlets and some chain firms, including Wetherspoons upon the High Street.

Outside the town

Many surrounding villages have country pubs that offer good food. Key examples worth trying include the Fleece Inn at Bretforton, Chequers at Fladbury, and the Beckford Inn at Beckford.

Drink

Evesham has many pubs for a town its size, and they are a great way to meet the locals.

Pubs are dotted around the Town Centre, a single Wetherspoons is located on the High Street.

Sleep

Budget

Mid-range/Splurge
  • 🌍 Evesham Hotel, Coopers Ln, Evesham WR11 1DA, ☏ +44 1386 765566. Fine if not cheap hotel in centre of town. Run by an eccentric owner, it has won awards for its toilets. It is also known as the teddy bear hotel, caters primarily for families, and offers several themed rooms. The wine list has hundreds of entries, but none from France or Germany. From £85 a night, £105 is full-board. 
  • 🌍 Northwick Hotel, Waterside, Evesham WR11 1BT, ☏ +44 1386 40322, . Located alongside the river, the hotel has benefited from a refurbishment following the 2007 floods, and offers good quality accommodation. From £65 a night. 

Connect

Go next

Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby

  • Worcester is only minutes away by train and is a friendly, compact city famous for its pottery and cathedral. Along with plenty of shops, sightseeing, restaurants; etc.
  • Cheltenham is famous for its Spa and Pump Room as well as the annual races; 16 miles to S
  • Stratford-upon-Avon 14 miles to NE, 25 minute drive
  • Broadway and Chipping Campden are within a 10 minute drive of the town

The town is well sited for visits into the Cotswolds.

Routes through Evesham
Worcester ( north) ← Pershore ←  NW  SE  → Broadway → Oxford
Tewkesbury ← south ←  SW  NE  → Stratford-upon-Avon → Warwick


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