Asparagus is the most famous vegetable in the Vale & Spa area – so much so that there’s an entire season to celebrate it! For a limited period during the year, take advantage of locally grown produce that some say is the best tasting asparagus in the world. We’ll let you be the judge of that, so make sure you give it a go.
Between St George’s Day on 23 April to Midsummer’s Day on 21 June, it’s the Vale of Evesham Asparagus season. Although you can pick up local asparagus outside of this window, it’s generally perceived to be the best time at which to experience ‘Vale Gras’, as it’s affectionately known locally.
This precious vegetable is exclusive to this area having being granted protected food name status which specifically links it to a particular geographical area and indicates a certain level of quality. Asparagus grown in the Vale of Evesham is the only place to try this delicacy whether you decide to purchase it from one of the many local farm shops or visit one of the cafes and restaurants in the area that will be serving it.
To help connoisseurs find their way around the green ‘gras, we’ve put together this handy guide to give you the history of the area’s most famous vegetable as well and tips and advice on cooking it to get the best flavours.
If you don’t trust yourself with the cooking, you’ll find a list of places where you can enjoy it without the effort.
You’ll soon realise why it’s such a focal point of the local area!
You may have arrived here through our social media campaign. There are a number of restaurants in Evesham – the heart of the Vale – where you can enjoy freshly cooked Vale of Evesham Asparagus.
Delicious Café-Deli-Bistro2 Vine St, Evesham WR11 4RE01386 48337 @deliciousbistrodelicious-café.co.uk
Jelly Pickle Jam16, Vine Mews, Evesham WR11 4RE07939 346623 | @jellypicklejam @jellypicklejamjellypicklejam.co.uk
Raphael’s Restaurant (Hampton Ferry)Hampton Ferry, Boat Lane, Evesham, WR11 4BP01386 45460www.hamptonferry.co.uk/restaurant.html
The Royal Oak5 Vine St, Evesham WR11 4RE01386 442465 | @theroyaloakeveshamtheroyaloakevesham.com
The Vale of Evesham Asparagus social media campaign in 2023 has been supported by Evesham Place Board and funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
For more information on Vale of Evesham Asparagus, take a visit to its official website. You’ll find out about the quirky characters that often make world-wide news, find out more about its history, get access to plenty of asparagus recipes and find out the best places to experience it, whether it be farm shops, restaurants or even events!
For social media updates on this years asparagus season please follow @thebritishasparagusfestival and @ValeandSpa on Facebook.
