Back on 20 June 2026
A guide as to where the sides danced in the Vale in 2025.
Abbey Gardens Evesham – late afternoon: all sides
Evesham Abbey was a Benedictine abbey dissolved in the 16th century.Records indicate the existence of several gardens. The abbey was replaced by a house in the 18th century. Part of the site is now a public park.
Alcester – morning & lunch: Tour 1 & 10
Alcester is an ancient Roman town in a beautiful part of south-west Warwickshire. The original settlement dates back at least to Roman times and there are many archaeological sites of interest in the town and surrounding area. The high street is reminiscent of a by gone era and preserved Tudor cottages and other historical buildings are dotted throughout.
The Hollybush is a 17th-century local in this historic market town, with a listed interior.
Ardens Grafton – Lunchtime: Tour 4
Ardens Grafton is a small village, home to The Golden Cross, a traditional 18th Century country pub set in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside within easy reach of the Cotswolds.
Bidford on Avon – Afternoon: Tour 4
Bidford-on-Avon is a pretty Saxon Riverside village, the highlight in the village is the old stone bridge that crosses the river in Bidford-on-Avon – it is in a very scenic setting with the old village as a backdrop, and one of the most photographed highlights of the region. The bridge was built by monks in the 15th century to replace a ford across the river that previously stood in the same location.
The remainder of the old village is quite small but very pleasant to explore with some lovely old houses, half-timbered cottages and a picturesque village church and graveyard.
Bretforton – morning & afternoon; Tours 1, 6, 7
Owned by the National Trust and run with a love of tradition, The Fleece Inn is the quintessential English Country pub.
Originally a half-timbered medieval farmhouse which sheltered a farmer and his stock, the building was in the same family until 1977.
The inside boasts original furniture and artifacts, witches circles and a precious pewter collection, The Fleece has developed a reputation for traditional folk music, morris dancing and asparagus.
Broadway – afternoon: Tour 7
Broadway may be a small Cotswold village, but it’s certainly big in stature. Its reputation as a gateway to the Cotswolds attracts many UK and international visitors seeking to get a taste of the idyllic quintessential English countryside.
The name Broadway (‘broad way’) actually derives from the description of its wide main road, the High Street is one of the longest in England.
The Crown & Trumpet is a 17th Century Inn, just behind the village green
Blackwell Fete – afternoon, Tour 2
The small village of Blackwell is situated between Shipston on Stour and Stratford, less than a mile off the Fosse Way.
Bromsgrove – afternoon: Tour 10
Bromsgrove is a traditional market town located in north Worcestershire. Home to the UK’s first open air museum, Avoncroft Museum and close to the beautiful Clent Hills. In the Middle Ages, it was a small market town, primarily producing cloth through the early modern period. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, it became a major centre for nail making.
Chipping Campden – morning: Tour 6
Frequently described as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Cotswold towns, Chipping Campden is also one of the best preserved and most historically important towns. A planned town of the late 12th century, its original layout can still be traced along the High Street following the line of an important trading route. The ancient word ‘chipping’ refers to the market. The Market Hall, was built in 1627 by Sir Baptist Hicks for the sale of cheese, butter and poultry.
Childswickham Fete – afternoon: Tour 7
Childswickham is a small Worcestershire village known for its picturesque countryside, historic buildings, and friendly community.
One of the most notable landmarks in Childswickham is the St Mary’s Church. The church dates back to the 12th century and is a Grade I listed building. The church is known for its beautiful stained glass windows, intricate carvings, and impressive architecture.
Droitwich Spa – morning & lunch: Tours 8 & 9
The historic town of Droitwich Spa: Surrounded by the beautiful Worcestershire countryside, it is a town of great charm offering its visitors plenty to see and enjoy.
The town has been the site of a settled community for over 2000 years. It owes its existence to the natural brine springs which emanate from subterranean beds of pure rock salt 2000ft below the ground. Dissolved by underground springs, artesian pressure forces the sale to the surface as brine. It’s density and buoyancy are only rivalled by the Dead Sea.
Evesham Town – Afternoon : Tour 5
A peaceful Medieval market town located on the River Avon. The town is famous for its fruit and vegetable growing, especially asparagus.
Recently named as the second happiest place to live in the UK.
Feckenham Wake – Lunchtime: Tour 8
A medieval fair celebrated every year in June in Feckenham, described as a “fete on steroids” centred on the ancient village Square in the picturesque Worcestershire village of Feckenham.
Feckenham in the 21st century is a thriving rural settlement clustered around a traditional village green and the Xth century Church of St John the Baptist. The picturesque village centre is designated as a Conservation Area and the historic moated site, atop of which the village’s Recreation Ground stands, is designated as an Ancient Monument.
Finstall – lunch: Tour 10
Finstall is a peaceful and quiet village, with a strong sense of community. The pub, called The Cross Inn, is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike. It serves a range of traditional pub food and has a welcoming atmosphere.
One of the most fascinating village stories is that of the Finstall Giants. According to local legend, two giants once lived in the village and would regularly throw boulders at each other across the valley. The boulders can still be seen today, and are known as the Finstall Giants’ Stones.
Ilmington – Afternoon: Tour 2
Ilmington is a beautiful village mainly built of warm honey coloured local Cotswolds limestone nestling at the foot of the Campden hills, in particular Windmill Hill, surrounded by green fields and classed as part of the Cotswolds area of outstanding natural beauty.
It is totally unspoilt with old stone cottages and a village green, the village shop and the old church where bells still ring out over the orchard as they have done for many years and it used to be a centre of folk dancing.
Pagan Festival, Evesham – afternoon: Tours 3 & 6
A celebration of Paganism with a pagan street market, dancing in the square and free talks and demonstrations all day.
Pershore – lunch & afternoon : Tour 11
A Georgian town on the River Avon, Pershore is an unspoiled, picturesque Market Town, famed for its elegant architecture and magnificent Abbey. Pershore is renowned for its independent shops and welcoming pubs and restaurants.
Poets such as John Betjeman have been inspired by Pershore’s beauty and its old-world charm is sure to entice you back time and time again.
Stratford-upon-Avon – morning: Tours 2 & 4
Stratford-upon-Avon developed along the banks of the River Avon, and is well-known as the birth place of Shakespeare. A market town with more than 800 years of history, containing not only many buildings that survive today and would have been familiar to Shakespeare, but also a thriving community offering a wide variety of leisure and shopping experiences.
Tewkesbury – morning: Tour 5
An extraordinary riverside town with a rich, vibrant history and a beautiful waterside setting.
You can take in the stunning scenery by taking a stroll beside the River Severn, or a boat trip along the Avon. Don’t miss Tewkesbury Abbey; an imposing feature of the town’s landscape for nearly 900 years. Renowned the world over for its fine Norman tower, ornate 12th Century ceiling and stunning stained glass windows, the Abbey is one of Gloucestershire’s most popular tourist attractions, second only to Gloucester Cathedral.
Toddington – lunchtime: Tour 5
The Cotswold Halt is a cafe bar on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway at Toddington station.
Upton – morning: Tour 11
Well known for too many of us, nestled along the banks of the River Severn, with views across to the Malvern Hills lies the historic town of Upton upon Severn. The town is famous for its calendar of music festivals!
Warwick – morning: Tours 1 & 10
Famous for its magnificent castle, superb specialist and independent shops, historic charm and a fantastic range of places to eat & drink, and of course, known to many as the beautiful home of Warwick Folk Festival (in July).
Worcester – Morning: Tours 3 & 9
Worcester is a beautiful Cathedral and University City with a fascinating history, located in the heart of the West Midlands on the banks of the River Severn.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Cathedral are historic Friar Street and New Street where two of Worcester’s oldest and most historic pubs are located. The Cardinal’s Hat in Friar Street is the city’s oldest inn dating back to the fourteenth century, and a lunch spot on this tour.
Vale of Evesham National Morris Weekend 