Pictures of Pershore

About Pershore

Pershore is at the heart of a great pastoral landscape where fruit orchards and meadows grazed by sheep and cattle blend happily side by side. It is at the centre of sleepy lanes scattered here and there with delightful cottages of timber frame, hiding beneath thick thatched roofs with creeper climbing to reach past upper windows, and roses rambling over small ancient doorways. It is a very English scene with the town itself having several beautiful Georgian buildings, many of which are listed.

The town is dominated by the great Abbey that has central to the life of the town and it's people for centuries. The original Abbey church was probably established before the Norman conquest and of this, only the eastern arm, with the presbytery, the south transept and the lantern tower remain. Following the Dissolution, in the year 1559, both the nave and the lady chapel were destroyed, and the north transept collapsed in the 17th-century. The presbytery was rebuilt following a fire in 1223, but the magnificent Triforium, Clerestory and Ploughshare vaulting is early 14th-century. The Lantern tower rises on massive arches of the Romanesque period and probably dates 1330. The interior of the church houses some beautiful relics from the past amongst which is a beautiful round font showing intricate carving. It is believed that the Abbey was founded in 689AD by King Oswald. It is a beautiful place that is well worth seeing.

The road out of the town leading to Evesham is spanned by a graceful six arched medieval bridge that to this day bears battle scars from the ravages of the Civil War. Also, a short distance from the town is a beautiful wooded area known as Tyddesley Wood. These woodlands are ancient, they were mentioned in the Domesday Book. Rare plants and herbs thrive here and there are many ancient trees. In more recent days, Pershore has become a flower growing centre and in the village of Wick just outside the town the fields are ablaze with colourful delphiniums. These fields are well worth a visit, so too, is Pershore's College of Horticulture.

There are excellent shops in the town and an indoor market is open from Wednesday to Saturday. Pershore offers good restaurants, inns and public houses. It is in the midst of some lovely countryside surrounded by several old villages, all are characteristic of the area and, like Pershore, a joy to explore.