The Abbey was founded in 689. Late in the 10th century it became a well organised Benedictine monastery, but almost at once it suffered heavy financial losses when many of its local estates, including much property in Pershore itself, were seized and made over to the newly founded Abbey of Westminster. It remained however, a monastery of considerable importance with a church of architectural distinction.

The original Saxon church, traces of which were discovered during the recent restoration, was rebuilt in Norman Romanesque, seen in the tower arches and the south transept. In 1223 a fire ruined the Norman presbytery. The blackened stones were cleared and the new, Early English eastern limb replaced them. The vaulting, with its splendid carved bosses, is of the following century. In the 14th century the Norman tower was replaced by the present one, designed probably by the same architect as Salisbury Cathedral.

At the dissolution of the monasteries, Pershore went the way of other religious houses, and its domestic buildings are no more. In 1992-96 an extensive restoration was carried out, especially to the south transept and tower. Inside a new floor was laid over underfloor heating and new lighting and acoustic systems were installed.

St. Andrew’s opposite is another medieval church of charm and character and had served the tenants of the Abbot of Westminster. It has now been deconsecrated and is available for community use. Outside is a two-sided modern sculpture 'Garden God' (known locally as the Moon Goddess) by Peter Inchbald. The graveyard, with old Pershore names on the headstones, remains a quiet haven in the busy town.

Passing through the open grounds of Abbey Park (where information boards giving the history of the Abbey can be perused) which was purchased after the war by a far-sighted local authority and formerly the monastic precincts, the bottom of Newlands is reached. The half timbered structure on the left has been faithfully and beautifully restored by the Worcestershire Historic Buildings Preservation Trust. It is thought to be on the site of the Almonry where the monks housed their visitors and dispensed charity to the poor.