Days Out - A Craft trail and an Abbey
Beckford, Worcestershire , situated some 18 miles south of Worcester and
7 miles north of Tewkesbury it is an ideal position to start the craft trail.
This village has much to offer for the visitor to see: -
Beckford Silk is an opportunity to see Screen Printing of silk and to ask
questions of the workforce about their work, there is a shop were purchases can be made, a fine selection of scarves , ties. dresses are on view, many home and overseas visitors make it their business to call here,
it is part of the Craft Trail through nearby villages
The Coffee Shop at Beckford Silk serves home made food which includes delicious cakes , roulades and light lunches.
The nearby Beckford Inn and Hotel is another facility which offers food
and has provision for Caravan's.
The church of St John the Baptist is worthy of a visit and has a long history dating back to Saxon times.
Conderton - following the trail the next village is Conderton, here there is an Artists Studio. The Artist Samantha Dadd works from her Studio / Gallery
and has a display of her studies in Landscapes and Flowers, besides original paintings Limited edition prints are available, visitors have the opportunity to meet the artist and to buy directly from her.
Just a short distance from the Studio is the Yew Tree Inn , who serve Bar Snacks etc. Continuing along the same route - Conderton Pottery
The Potter,Toff Milway, creates pots , dishes , lasagne dishes , cheese platter's, pedestal fruit bowls , watercress dishes and sauce boats, the pottery is done in a unique style and finish and reflects his interest in food and its presentation. Overbury - The church of St. Faiths is of 11th century origins
Kemerton Village
The Crown Inn - offers bar snacks etc.
The church of St. Nicholas is the village church and apart from the tower was rebuilt in 1850. Bredon village
Jays Art
Young and old love Teddy Bears , here there is an opportunity to view an excellent  selection of unusual Teddies on sale at a variety of prices, there are collectables and softie teddy bears, the collectables include Steiff, Herman Spielwaren , Deans , Grisley, Robin Rive, Cotswold and lots of U.K Artist Bears, added to this. Geraldine O'Mahoney the proprietor
makes bears and other animals. Geraldine's bears are called Battenswood Bears, it was whilst recuperating from an illness that she started to make  bears ,that was in 1997 , she continued make these and ended up opening "Jays Art" in 1999, the shop has thrived and attracts visitors from all over the world.
When she is not making bears in her workshop at her home , she relaxes by Bell Ringing in her local church. Jays Art also provides a picture framing service also plain and bevelled mirrors are available.
Bredon Pottery - Sue and Tony Davies make a range of Handmade decorated earthenware pottery at their Bredon workshop, customers can sometimes see the pottery being made.
The Blue -and- Cream range is fresh and lively and suits many styles of Kitchens and looks good in a Shaker-style setting.
The cream ware range is plain and is undecorated except for textured ‘button' enlivening the surface.
The pottery is ovenproof and dishwasher safe and is attractive to use.
There are two Pubs in Bredon, The Royal Oak and The Fox and Hounds.
both of which serve food.
The Parish church of St. Giles another church worthy of a visit , it origins date back to the latter part of the 12th century.
Tewkesbury - For further information on Tewkesbury
Continuing on the B4080 road to reach this most historic town.
It is at the junction of the rivers Avon and the Severn, with its fine medieval buildings it probably has some of the best examples of medieval Architecture in England , with overhanging buildings and narrow alleyways it is interesting to explore. The Hop Pole hotel is of the 15th century and was featured in the Charles Dickens book "Pickwick Papers".
Nearby is the John Mooore Countryside Museum, here visitors can see the museums cottage garden , there are displays of hand tools and many exhibits of wildlife.
The penultimate battle of the war of the Roses was fought at Tewkesbury in 1471 and it was here that Edward V1 made his claim to be king.
It was at the cross that Yorkist troops slaughtered Lancastrians that had taken refuge in the Abbey and were forced out and taken to the cross and were put to the sword.
The river has proved to be an attraction to visitors, boat trips and riverside walks are of much interest to those who wish to have just a relaxing visit.
Tewkesbury Abbey -The Abbey Church of St. Mary the Virgin - More info see Abbey
This superb place of worship is a must for the visitor who is interested in history and fine buildings.
Once the church of the Benedictine Abbey of Tewkesbury it was one of the last monasteries to be destroyed.
Prince Edward the Lancastrian Prince of Wales who was killed at the battle of Tewkesbury is buried here.
The stained glass is reputed to be some of the finest 14th century examples still in existence. The badges of the Yorkist victors can be seen in the choir vault.
The Abbey has 12th century origins and has the largest Norman tower still standing in present times.
Following the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII the townspeople of Tewkesbury raised £453 to save the abbey as the parish church, which was considered to be the amount equal to the value of the lead on the roof and of the metal in the bells. |
