Vale of Evesham
The
Vale of Evesham is the name used for the area of southern
Worcestershire,
England, along the valley of the
River Avon, centred on the town of
Evesham.
The Vale of Evesham has little industry, being mostly agricultural. The sheltered climate beneath the
escarpment of the
Cotswolds, the light alluvial soils and the ready availability of river water for irrigation in dry weather has led to a great deal of vegetable production: spring onions, leeks, cabbages, brussels sprouts, runner beans. There are numerous orchards in the area, producing
apples and
plums. Though orchard numbers have declined somewhat in recent decades, they still make a sufficient show of blossom in spring that they are touted as a minor tourist attraction. In the villages to the east of Evesham, such as
Offenham and
Badsey, there are growers specialising in
asparagus production. Every year there are asparagus auctions, notably at the historic
Fleece Inn in
Bretforton, which is now owned by the
National Trust.
The Vale is served by the 150-year-old
Cotswold railway line, originally known as the
Oxford,
Worcester and
Wolverhampton, although this was satirised at the time of construction as the Old Worse and Worse, due to construction problems, including a riot at
Mickleton on the edge of the Vale. The only existing stations are at
Honeybourne and Evesham, and these are served by trains from
Worcester and
London.
