Battle of Evesham Festival 2024: sun brings out record crowd

The Battle of Evesham Festival, the highlight event from the Battle of Evesham group could have seen as many as 40,000 people visit the town over the weekend.

Stallholders, food vendors and reenactors all flooded the town with Crown Meadows looking like a scene straight out of the 13th century apart from the more modern portaloos. 

Hand made swords were a plenty at the Battle of Evesham (Image: Newsquest)

Saturday kicked off with The Grand Parade which saw over 700 reenactors pass through town before re-enacting the Battle of Evesham at the main arena. 

Becca and Jemima Coleman (Image: Newsquest)

The Battle of Evesham was fought on August 4, 1265,  marking one of the two main battles of 13th century England's Second Barons' War.

It ended with 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.

One reenactor, Becca Coleman, said: "I'm part of a group and some of us are in the battle. 

"I have been doing this for 30 years and this is my third time in Evesham and it's great. 

"I've been weaving and I just love re-enacting, it's something about the atmosphere, the romance and the audience, something about being next to a wooden fire on a warm summers night is amazing."

Speaking on Sunday morning, Mick Hurst, the director of the Battle of Evesham said that it could be a record turnout this year and if Sunday went as well as Saturday, then the festival would of had a footfall of between 40,000 and 45,000 people.

Mr Hurst also stated that it was "happy days all around" as all the reenactors and stallholders had had a good time.

Wesson Roney showing off his cool armour (Image: Newsquest)

Wesson Roney, who had never been to Evesham before but was dressed in armour, said: "It's going great, the battle was epic and it has given me a chance to dress up and show of my cool new armour. 

"The weather has been really nice actually, you'd think I would be hot in all this armour but it's not actually that bad, it's just a shame that I am only here for one day and not the whole weekend."

The festival not only brought residents out in their droves but brought people from across the county and further afield, from Essex and Durham to Denmark. 

Locals: Martin Burge and Rich Merriman (Image: Newsquest)

Martin Burge who cycled down to the battle, said: "We didn't come from far but we come every year and I believe this is the biggest one yet, it's great to see Evesham so busy."