Stay at West Wing Abbey Manor for
The Shakespeare Birthday Celebrations : a unique event that has been taking place in Stratford on Avon for nearly two centuries The tradition brings together the local community, professional and amateur performers and artists and ambassadors from around the world in a vibrant celebration of the life and works of Stratford’s favourite son. The town’s streets will overflow with pageantry, music and drama and over the three day birthday period you can enjoy a packed programme of special celebratory activities - great days out at Shakespeare’s historic houses, literary and music events and amazing theatre. So, whether you're a fan of Shakespeare’s works or not, there promises to be something for everybody … and a few surprises along the way!" Runs from 23rd April to the 8th May
West Wing Abbey Manor continues to get many of its enquiries from the Cotswolds web site
http://www.cotswolds.info/. We recommend it as a source of information.
The Gardens
The West Wing stands in its own garden within the grounds of Abbey Manor Park amounting to around 30 acres of wood and parkland. Set above the town of Evesham it provides a delightful vista, through majestic trees over grazing pastureland. Within the gardens is a delightful walk along stone edged paths, mature rose covered arches, past monastic relics beside manicured lawns with a tranquil lake, an enclosed hard tennis court and a thatched root house.
Things to do
The West Wing Abbey Manor is the ideal place from which to explore the Cotswolds or travel to the Malvern Hills, Cheltenham, Warwick Castle and Stratford on Avon. The picturesque villages of Broadway, Chipping Campden, Winchcombe and Stow on the Wold are close by.
Within easy reach are places of interest such as the castles and houses of Warwick, Sudeley, Blenheim Palace and Eastnor and the tranquil gardens of Hidcote, Kiftsgate, Sezincote, Batsford and Westonbirt Arboretum.
The Vale of Evesham is renowned for its fertile soil and a long history of fruit and vegetable growing and is known as the ‘Gardens of England’. Evesham, located on the River Avon that winds through the town, retains the charm of a traditional market town. Here you can shop for gifts or essentials or relax with a quiet riverside walk.
Bring wellies in damp weather for a full walk around the grounds with John and Jill. Along the way you will see a small lake of lilies and pass monastic relics including a Saxon Abbots tomb and an intricate seat of medieval stonework. Until recently this was an overgrown and neglected sleeping beauty, now it is a hauntingly beautiful forty acres of woodland, historic relics, mature trees and lush grassland. A hard tennis court is available for the more energetic guests. Also allow a little time to peruse through the before and after photographs and scrap book which they have put together. The whole is a treat not to be missed.
For those of a more energetic mind the area offers excellent walking and horse riding routes with well marked footpaths and bridleways, throughout the area, around Bredon Hill and the renowned Cotswold Way, which can be joined in the picturesque Cotswold village of Broadway.
There are several established and challenging golf clubs with Evesham Golf Club at Fladbury, 'The Vale' Golf Club at Bishampton and also Broadway Golf Club.
The Battle of Evesham in 1265 was fought over the parkland which now belongs to Abbey Manor. Simon de Montfort, The Earl of Leicester was killed in the battle in 1265 and in 1842 the Rudge family built the Leicester Tower in his memory and this can be seen from the house. In 1845 they erected the Obelisk in the woods to commemorate the battle.
Lights, camera, action! - The Cotswolds as a film location
The Cotswolds with its stunning locations, picture-postcard cottages, historic houses and gardens, intermingled with picturesque honey coloured villages and towns has attracted many film producers and directors looking for that special location.
The area claims many film productions including These Foolish Things, a new film version of Vanity Fair, The Libertine, Cider with Rosie, Clandestine Marriage (Joan Collins and Timothy Spall), If, The Whistle Blower (Michael Caine), Forgotten (Amanda Burton & Paul McGann), plus the long running TV series Butterflies, House of Elliot, Wyvern Mysteries, Clarence (Ronnie Barker) and The Buccaneers.
Gloucester Cathedral has been the location for the famous Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and in the Doctor Who Christmas Special.
Just a few miles from West Wing Abbey Manor, the quaint village of Snowshill was home to the first Bridget Jones film for the snow scene and carol singers when Bridget visits her parents at Christmas.
Johnny Depp also stepped into the Cotswolds at Stanway House to play a drunken rogue in 'The Libertine'.
West Wing itself has featured in several photoshoots for clients such as Eastex Fashions, One World Productions, Period Living, More Magazine, Patons (Knitting) and Wolsey. So if you are location scout or film producer please contact us as we have an ideal location ourselves as well having an extensive informal network of contacts for many different locations throughout the Cotswolds and the Midlands
