The Cotswolds. The Malverns. The English Civil Wars. Gunpowder plotters. Elgar. Shakespeare. Tolkein. Housman. Plums, pears and asparagus. The Avon and Severn valleys. Walking, riding and touring. The Blossom Trail.

The towns, cities and villages that surround you here speak of charm and are steeped in history. Some put down their roots before the Domesday Book was written, as near as matters 1,000 years ago. They’ve known good and bad times, but most still nestle around the churches and pubs that have been the backbone of their communities for centuries.

We’re talking about places like Bredon Hill, Broadway, Evesham, Worcester, Winchcombe, Stratford – the list goes on. Here’s a handful of our favourites, to set your mind wandering.

Just spent four restful days at Bredon-Vale. Well laid-out pitches for caravans, all south-facing, also a large area for tents. Spotless toilet and shower block. Added bonus, bus stops nearby with buses to Evesham and Stratford-upon-Avon, which worked well for us. Nothing too much trouble for the owners, Jacqui and Jim, who are constantly working around the site… with a great respect for nature. Lovely site. Lovely people. We will return − D&G Stevens, September 2021

TWO FEET, FOUR WHEELS

Blossom Trail

Let’s start with the Blossom Trail, because there are few better places or times to climb into the saddle or stroll around when spring bursts into life.

The popular Bikeaway event is an organised tour, but you can also immerse yourself in the picturesque landscape as part of the National Cycle Network. For more information, visit the Blossom Trail page at www.visitevesham.co.uk.

On BVCC’s doorstep, there are three Blossom Trail walks, ranging from a leisurely three-mile stroll, a four-and-a-half mile leg-stretcher and a six-mile walk, all rewarding the walker with sights and scents that will reward the effort. More information from the Evesham Tourist Information Centre on 01386 446944.

If you look just a little further afield, there’s plenty to keep mind and body in perfect harmony with nature – Bredon Hill, the Malverns, the Cotswolds should be top of your list. For reasons you’ll appreciate when stay here, try this taster…

Bredon Hill

Bredon Hill is geologically part of the Cotswolds although, as the result of erosion over millions of years, it’s now isolated in the Vale of Evesham.

At its summit, you’ll find the remains of earthworks from an Iron Age hill fort known as Kemerton Camp, which is believed to have been abandoned in the 1st Century after a considerable battle. There are also Roman earthworks and a number of ancient standing stones on the hill.

The Hill’s also one of England’s most important wildlife sites, with a range of habitats and a host of public footpaths and bridleways criss-crossing from the villages around its base, among them The Wychavon Way, which passes over the hill and runs close to the summit.

FOOTPATHS

If you haven’t already supplied yourself with a guide, of some kind, you could to a lot worse than take a stroll through the Visit Evesham – Small Town, Big Heart website’s walking and rambling pages, where you can download walks of many local flavours in a printable format.

If you’re keen to see this wonderful, rich landscape from one of the ‘big’ footpaths, all within easy striking distance, you’re spoilt for choice….

Roots in Time Skylark Trails

You don’t need to go far from your BVCC pitch to bathe in the wonder of an amazing new addition to the rich history of our parish.

A circular walk of about four miles will take you through more than 100 acres of new woodland – and the nature reserves at New Farm and Ashmores Farm are where you can access the Roots in Time Skylark Trails.

You’ll be walking across a landscape that’s littered with Roman archeology. Worcestershire Archive and Archaeology Service’s Roots in Time community excavation, near Norton, has unearthed artefacts that show we’re on the edge of a 2000-year-old settlement.

Several large pieces of Samian ware – fancy Roman pottery, mostly imported from France – have been discovered alongside local pottery, several possible loom weights used for weaving fabric, and other domestic finds.

Wychavon Way

The closest footpath to us, here at Bredon-Vale, is Wychavon Way. The route was originally opened in 1977, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II, and meandered from Holt Fleet on the Worcestershire stretch of the River Severn to Winchcombe, where it linked with the Cotswold Way.

Since 2012, it has started at Droitwich Spa and largely follows the original route to just before Fladbury, where it deviates to Pershore before heading to the summit of Bredon Hill on its way west to finish at Broadway.

Waymarks contain a logo with a trebuchet on a green hill above a horizontally stretched V-shaped blue river.

The Cotswold Way

The Cotswold Way is a 102-mile long-distance footpath, running north-east along the Cotswold Edge escarpment of the Cotswold Hills from Bath to Chipping Campden, including a small stretch around Broadway. Apart from that section, the entire walk is within Gloucestershire.

You can delve a little deeper on several websites, including The National Trail. If you know of any others, please share them with us.

The Monarch’s Way

The Monarch’s Way is a 625-mile long-distance footpath that echoes the escape route taken by King Charles II, in 1651, after being defeated in the second Battle of Worcester.

It starts in the Faithful City, 15 miles west from us, then runs north to Boscobel on its first (almost circuitous) 180-mile stage to Stratford-upon-Avon, around 15 miles in the opposite direction, before continuing south to Stow-on-the-Wold. From there, it heads south-west towards Bristol via Cirencester. Then, it turns south-east and passes through Yeovil on its way to Brighton.

All of the footpath is waymarked. Look for a yellow sign with an image of the ship Surprise above the Prince of Wales three-point feathered crown, which is superimposed on a Royal Oak tree (the one at Boscobel House) in black.

FESTIVALS

Vale of Evesham Asparagus Festival

The Vale of Evesham’s regarded as the major centre for British asparagus production, and the British Asparagus Festival has evolved to celebrate the fact.

A series of events like asparagus auctions run through the festival season, which runs from late April to late June – but the main focus is on St George’s Day, the start of the British Asparagus season, and on Spring Bank Holiday weekend, which usually involves Asparagus Auctions and a Family Fun Day at Bretforton’s historic Fleece Inn, which features plenty of music and dancing and a special asparagus-themed menu.

• britishasparagusfestival.org

Pershore Plum Festival

Pershore has long been famed for its plum harvest, with orchards dating back to medieval times, and each August Bank Holiday this heritage is celebrated in the town.

The tradition dates back to 1827, when the landlord of the Butcher’s Arms pub, in Church Street, discovered a seedling of a wild plum growing in the ancient Tiddesley Wood on the outskirts of the town.

Events take place over the whole weekend, with the main festivities on Bank Holiday Monday.

• http://www.pershoreplumfestival.org.uk/

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Evesham

The Regal Cinema is one of Evesham’s gems, a restored art deco cinema with coffee shop and gallery that becomes a wine bar in the evening. It hosts a broad range of events including art exhibitions, an educational program that includes keynote lectures, live music, acoustic live music, comedy and other live performances, a live sports feed, fashion shows, exhibitions and corporate events.

Pershore

Number 8 is a thriving Community Arts Centre inspired and led by the people of Pershore. Their mission is to provide arts and leisure activities to the local community and beyond with the aim of improving the social well-being of the inhabitants of Pershore and surrounding areas. That includes a vibrant programme of film, live music, theatre and dance – plus ballets, operas and the National Theatre seasons beamed live. For more information, https://www.number8.org/

Stratford

If your Bredon-Vale break includes plans for a trip to the theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon will be in your satnav address book already. The RSC’s three theatres – the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, the Swan Theatre, which both share a building on Waterside, and The Other Place, which is a short walk away, on Southern Lane – give a wealth of options, with more places to book the pre- or post-show meal than you could shake a quill at. For more information, https://www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on

For something a little more intimate, the 100-seat Bear Pit Theatre, in Rother Street, is a voluntary organisation that works to build a greater awareness of the performing and visual arts in the historic town. It’s a real gem. For more information, https://www.thebearpit.org.uk/

Then there’s the Stratford Playhouse, which is also in Rother Street. Theatre, jazz, comedy and so much more are on the bill. For more information, https://www.stratfordplay.co.uk/

Malvern

Malvern Theatres is housed in the Winter Gardens complex in the town centre of Great Malvern. It has been a provincial centre for the arts since 1885 and is strongly associated with George Bernard Shaw and Edward Elgar. Its rich history has seen many included its most recent transformation in the late 1990s, when a new complex was built with an 850-seat Festival Theatre, a Forum Theatre, a 400-seat cinema, and a bar and restaurant. For more information, https://www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/

Tewkesbury

The Roses offers an eclectic programme of live events, take-part activities, exhibitions and festivals. In addition to the 370-seat auditorium, The Roses boasts a relaxing bar and coffee shop where you can enjoy a pre-show and interval drinks as well as live entertainment including jazz and folk music and stand-up comedy. For more information, http://www.rosestheatre.org/

HISTORY (NATION-SHAPING)

The Battle of Evesham happened a mile away on the stormy morning of August 4, 1265, and marked the defeat of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and the rebellious barons by the future King Edward I, who led the forces of his father, King Henry III.

A little over 400 years later, Worcester was the scene of the first and last battles of the English Civil Wars, which started on on August 22, 1642, when the Roundhead Parliamentarians and Royalist Cavaliers fought for control of the country. They came to an end on September 3, 1651.

The ghosts of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot also travel the highways and byways. The failed assassination attempt against King James I was carried out by a group of provincial English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby, with a host of county connections. Coughton Court, near Alcester, is a good place to start.

If the age of steam sets your pulse racing, you’re in luck. The Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway runs between Broadway and Cheltenham, while the spectacular Severn Valley Railway has stunning riverside views between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth.

For a full guide, https://www.visitworcestershire.org/explore/history-heritage/

A FINE WINE TIME

Gazing over 1,400 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside. Strolling through a beautiful vineyard bordered by a deer park and lake – then making your way up to an equally glorious country house to taste the fruits of what you’ve just seen. And all just a 12-mile drive from Bredon-Vale.

We’re talking about a fun and informative vineyard tour and wine-tasting at Eckington’s stunning Deer Park Hall. Prices start at £25 per person for a Grape-to-Glass Vineyard Tour and wine-tasting with three wines, or £35 per person for a Classic Vineyard Tour and wine-tasting with three wines and the Stag Oak Vineyard’s celebration Classic Cuvée Sparkling Wine. ​Go on. You’ve earned it!

For more delicious details, https://www.deerparkwines.co.uk/tours

LET’S NOT FORGET…

• Hillers, a delightful farm shop with steam railway, plants, bird hide, restaurant and gift shop. Just six miles north at the Dunnington crossroads on the B4088. You won’t be disappointed.
• Ellenden Farm Shop and restaurant, around a mile away at Harvington, has approximately 60 acres of homegrown produce that are sold in the shop. It’s open from 9am to 6pm, seven days week.