The Maypole at Welford on Avon is thought by some people to have been the example for the illustration in Halliwell's Folio Edition of Shakespeare's Plays which includes the mention of Helena as "A Painted Maypole" in "Midsummer Nights Dream".

The pole could not have had a continued existence since the 16th Century, because Maypoles were banned by an Act of Parliament in 1664. Local officials who did not obey the Act were fined 5 shillings (25p) a week. This was quite a hefty fine at the time.

A description of the Welford Pole published in 1866 says that the pole is "planted in the centre of a large mound" and that dancers performed on the mound. Today on that site, is a flat raised area edged by a low stone wall. Ribbon dancing takes place every year using the raised ground as a platform. The shaft is now an aluminum ships mast obtained from the south coast. It is painted red and blue with white spirals between the colours. It is made of a base metal tube welded to a base which has short tube which allows the whole Maypole to be pivoted for lowering and repainting.

In 1992 the surrounding wall needed repair and a 1927 penny was found in the old wall. A 1992, 1pence and the old coin were built into the new wall. Today, near to the pole is a Maypole bookshop and a Maypole wine shop.