Back 21-23 June 2024
A guide as to where to see our sides dancing in the Vale on Sat 24 June 23 .
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.
Beckford Inn – Lunchtime: Tour 6
A beautiful and newly refurbished 19th-century Cotswold pub and hotel in the village of Beckford, near Tewkesbury.
Inside, you’ll find cosy interiors and traditional rustic pub charm, complete with stone floors, three log burner open fires, and an open-plan restaurant space. Outside, you can relax in the spacious beer garden and heated pergola terrace.
Bidford on Avon – Lunchtime: Tour 1
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 – all day; Tours 5, 8, 11
Out 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 8
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.
Chipping Campden – morning: Tour 7
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.
Droitwich Spa – morning & lunch: Tours 9, 10, 11
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.
Feckenham Wake – Lunchtime: Tours 9 & 11
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.
Hampton Ferry – afternoon: Tour 3
The Hampton Ferry is a pedestrian cable ferry linking Evesham and the village of Hampton across the River Avon. The route dates back to the 13th century, when it was established by the monks of Evesham Abbey as a short-cut to their newly planted vineyard on Clark’s Hill.
Evesham’s Natural Beauty Spot, and home to the award winning Raphael’s Licensed Restaurant.
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.
Newbold – Lunchtime: Tour 7
Newbold-on-Stour lies on the west bank of the River Stour, a mile or so before it crosses the Roman Fosse Way.
Shipston Proms – afternoon: Tour 7
The small market town of Shipston-on-Stour is a charming historic and thriving town with interesting and unusual features.
The towns name derives from being known in ancient times as ‘Sheep-wash-Town’. Shipston was for a long time an important sheep market town and after the demand for local wool began to diminish the town continued to flourish thanks to the opening in 1836 of a branch line from the horse-powered tramway built a decade before to link Stratford with Moreton-in-Marsh. The line became a modern railway in 1889. The town was also an important coaching town and many of the inns from that era surviving in the area of the High Street.
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 6
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.
Then head to 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.
Warwick – morning: Tour 1
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).
Welford on Avon – Lunchtime: Tour 4
The pretty village of Welford lies in a loop of the River Avon, on a site that has been occupied for thousands of the years. Welford is known for its timber-framed cottages, many of them introduced in the 17th century, and most of them roofed in thatch. Many of the most attractive cottages are located on Church Lane and Boat Street, near the church.
On Chapel Street is The Shakespeare, a lunch spot on this tour, dating to the late 18th century, and standing beside one of the tallest maypoles in England.
Worcester – Morning: Tours 3, 10, 11
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.
Upton – Morning: Tours 5
The riverside town of Upton upon Severn prides itself on the great selection of Festivals it produces, including the Folk Festival and this weekend’s Jazz Festival
Follow us on Instagram
Vale of Evesham National Morris Weekend 