Pershore Abbey

An early monastery is known to have existed on this site, probably founded in the late 7th century, but this was devastated by the Danish invasions during AD958. A Benedictine abbey was refounded on the same site towards the end of the 10th century. In about 1100 a large, new church was built in the Romanesque style replacing the simple Anglo-Saxon structure that was destroyed by fire in 1002. It is largely part of this abbey church that survives today. Although the Presbytery was rebuilt in the first half of the 13th century, and extensively repaired some 50 years later following a fire, Pershore Abbey is essentially an imposing Norman structure internally.

After the Dissolution of the monasteries, the Lady Chapel and nave were demolished, leaving the area from the crossing to the eastern end of the church for use by the parish. Subsequently, the north transept collapsed but was replaced, on a smaller scale, in the 19th century. Substantial restoration works were carried out in the mid 19th century by Sir George Gilbert Scott, and further works were completed by Sir Harold Brakspear in 1914. Fortunately, these restorations served only to accentuate the glory of the medieval church rather than to mask the skilled craftsmanship that had been employed in its original construction. The massive Norman pillars of the crossing provide a solid foundation for the lavishly embellished 14th century lantern tower that sits above and this, in turn, contrasts with the simplicity of the south transept which has changed little over the centuries.

What serves now as the main body of the church, the former choir is a glorious array of 13th century clustered columns with foliated capitals and deeply moulded arches, rising to the lierne vaulted ceiling studded with rich leafy bosses. This is a beautiful example of the quality of architecture from the Decorated period.

Standing at the edge of the town, Pershore Abbey is not exactly dominating but its appearance is impressively Gothic and very distinct, with enormous buttresses extending from the tower and graceful flying buttresses supporting the clerestory and roof. It is one of England's magnificent monastic relics.