Vale of Evesham History Portal

The Almonry Heritage Centre is housed in the Almoner’s House of the eighth century Abbey of St. Ecgwin, immediately adjacent to the site of the Great Gatehouse of the Abbey. The present building is the result of successive phases of building, alteration and rebuilding carried out over a period of at least 700 years. The earliest parts of the building that can confidently be dated are no later than 1400. Some parts of the building are believed to be earlier, possibly dating back to Norman times.

The Almonry has had many uses over the centuries and came into the hands of Evesham Corporation in 1929 when it was sold by the Rudge family who wished it to be used as a museum. The Vale of Evesham Historical Society opened the Almonry Museum in 1957. Founded in 1950 the Society has been inseparably associated with the Almonry since it first opened as a museum. The Almonry, which has for many years incorporated a Tourist Information Centre, was re-designated a Heritage Centre in 1995.