Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

At the low-lying confluence of the River Avon and Severn, Tewkesbury is a Medieval half-timbered town.

Presiding over this charming streetscape is the Romanesque crossing tower of Tewkesbury Abbey, which has preserved a wealth of other Norman details.

In 1471, Tewkesbury was the site of a battle that resulted in a new king ascending the throne and the demise of an heir apparent.

Remarkably, the battlefield remains undeveloped and hosts the largest Medieval reenactment in Europe every July.

Many of the half-timbered houses along Tewkesbury’s streets function as museums, while the open Severn Ham meadow provides a view of the town devoid of modern buildings.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Tewkesbury:

1. Tewkesbury Abbey

During the Dissolution of the Monasteries, this affluent former Benedictine Abbey church was preserved from destruction when the residents of Tewkesbury designated it as their parish church.

We owe a debt of gratitude to them, as Tewkesbury Abbey showcases some of the best-preserved Norman architecture in the country.

This is evident in the crossing tower, which is arguably the largest Romanesque structure of its kind in Europe, along with the eight bays of the nave supported by monumental pillars.

Outside, the tall Romanesque circular archivolts on the southwest face are distinctive in the UK. The Decorated Gothic chancel retains most of its Medieval stained glass, and on the floor in the center of the sanctuary, there is a brass plate marking the grave of Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales (son of Henry VI). He was killed at the Battle of Tewkesbury at just 17 years old, making him the only Prince of Wales (heir apparent) to have perished in battle.

2. John Moore Museum

Adjacent to Tewkesbury Abbey are the Abbey Cottages, a row of exquisite half-timbered houses dating back to the 1410s.

The museum within was founded in the 1980s in memory of the local naturalist and author John Moore, acclaimed for his writings about the countryside.

In the spirit of conservation, the museum displays specimens of mammals and birds native to the farmlands, woodlands, and wetlands of Gloucestershire.

Children can experience the textures of badger fur or hedgehog prickles and observe how moles’ smooth fur assists them in navigating through tunnels.

The collection also includes agricultural tools, along with a quaint cottage garden showcasing traditional species.

3. Merchant’s House

A few doors along Church Street is another property managed by the John Moore Museum.

This remarkable half-timbered house has been restored and furnished to reflect its 15th-century origins.

The front door leads into a merchant’s shop, which connects to a hall featuring an open fireplace and winding stairs that ascend to a bedroom with a four-poster bed.

The back of the house showcases a typical Medieval kitchen displaying some utensils and ingredients used in domestic cooking during that era.

The staff are dressed in Tudor attire and are available to address any questions regarding 15th-century domestic life in Tewkesbury.

4. Old Baptist Chapel and Court

Just off Church Street, and also curated by the John Moore Museum, lies an extraordinary timber-framed structure that originally functioned as a simple residential property.

However, around the 17th century, it was transformed into a Nonconformist meeting house, initially in secrecy.

In the 1970s, the Old Baptist Chapel and Court was restored to its appearance from 1720, incorporating features such as the vaulted ceiling, gallery pastor’s room, and baptistery.

This exceptional building has recently received updates and new interpretive signage.

In the 17th-century cemetery behind, a grave exists for William Shakespeare-Hart, a descendant of the renowned playwright.

5. Tewkesbury Town Tour

In one of the UK’s most impressive heritage townscapes, careful planning is essential if you wish to see all that Tewkesbury has to offer.

You may download labeled maps of the town or collect a leaflet from the Tewkesbury Heritage and Visitor Centre.

At the intersection of Church Street and the High Street stands the magnificent 15th-century Cross House, reputed to have served as the court house for the Lords of Tewkesbury.

The Olde Black Bear on the High Street, dating back to 1308, claims to be the oldest pub in Gloucestershire, although it is currently closed.

Also along the High Street is the precariously cantilevered 16th-century Golden Key House, whose upper floor was added in 1610, causing it to lean over the street.

This represents merely a small fraction of the many attractions; the Abbey Mill, Town Hall (erected in 1788), Ancient Grudge (1471), Tudor House Hotel (circa 16th century), and The Old Wheatsheaf Inn (1500) are all worth a visit.

6. The Battle Trail

One of the pivotal battles in the Wars of the Roses occurred in the fields south of Tewkesbury on May 4, 1471. The outcome resulted in a Yorkist victory, ensuring 12 years of stability until the death of Edward IV in 1483. What is particularly thrilling about Tewkesbury Battlefield is that it is situated in the town’s backyard and remains largely untouched, despite the battle being meticulously documented at the time.

A waymarked trail guides visitors to key sites, and a Battle Trail leaflet is available from the tourist information center.

The Bloody Meadow beside the Coinbrook is the site of the tragic final rout of the Lancastrian Army as they attempted to flee across the Severn.

For an in-depth exploration, consider joining the Tewkesbury Battlefield Society for its monthly guided walk.

7. Tewkesbury Heritage and Visitor Centre

Housed in an attractive half-timbered building, the Heritage Centre is the ideal destination for local history and insights into Tewkesbury’s architectural heritage.

Visitors will embark on a captivating journey through time, discovering the region’s earliest human inhabitants while also gaining insight into the complex backgrounds of the Wars of the Roses and the English Civil War.

A media player is provided upon entry, featuring narration by Mr. Bartholomew Read, a resident from the 17th century.

Children can try on helmets and armor, while adults can engage in embossing a Medieval coat of arms and participate in a game of Medieval top trumps.

8. Tewkesbury Town Museum

Another 17th-century residence serves as the evocative location for the town museum, which encompasses a wide array of Tewkesbury’s historical elements.

Visitors can learn about polar explorer Raymond Priestley, one of the few survivors of Captain Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition (1910-1913). Additionally, a diorama representing the Battle of Tewkesbury was created in 1871 to commemorate its 500th anniversary, along with a meticulously crafted scale model of a fairground scene, constructed over five years in the 1950s to honor the town’s market heritage.

Exhibits also include maquettes created for the initial designs of the Arrivall sculpture, which will be discussed below.

9. The Arrivall

Upon entering Tewkesbury via the A38, you will encounter a pair of commemorative sculptures installed in 2012 at the Stonehill roundabout.

On either side of the road, two timber horses stand in tribute.

One horse is mounted, representing the victorious Yorkist army; the other is riderless, symbolizing the defeated Lancastrian forces led by Henry VI, who died (or was likely murdered) at the Tower of London two weeks following the battle.

This sculpture is positioned on the elevated ground where Edward IV’s army first emerged on the morning of May 4. The horses tower eight meters high, and their steel pennants were intricately cut with high-pressure water jets, featuring designs created by local schoolchildren.

These figures are rich in symbolism, including the selection of green oak timber, which reflects Tewkesbury’s numerous timber-framed houses.

10. The Roses

Functioning as both a stage theater and cinema, The Roses presents over 5,000 films and live performances annually.

This modernist building from the 1970s underwent a transformation in 2015, featuring a new facade and an on-site coffee shop.

The main auditorium accommodates 375 seats and, in addition to local choirs and theater productions, hosts touring dance companies, plays, musicians, comedians, and cultural figures for discussions.

The Roses theatre is deeply integrated into the community, offering approximately 5,000 theater and dance classes for local youth each year.

The cinema screens live performances from West End theaters and the Metropolitan Opera, alongside new independent films.

As a notable point, the beloved Eric Morecambe delivered his final performance at The Roses in May 1984 before suffering a heart attack just after the conclusion.

11. Victoria Pleasure Gardens

Adjacent to the abbey along the Avon’s bank is a park established to commemorate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee in 1897. The park features a pergola, decorative urns, flowerbeds, and a trio of iron arches erected in 2012 to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Although the layout is predominantly Victorian, the bandstand, railings, and a commemorative cannon were all repurposed for scrap during the Second World War.

At the riverbank, visitors can admire the Abbey Mill, located just upriver and established in 1795. To the north and west lies the expansive Severn Ham meadows, framed by the Malvern Hills, which consist of some of the oldest rocks in England.

12. The Severn Ham

In the summer months, visitors can traverse this large island situated between the Severn and Avon.

During winter, however, access becomes more challenging due to prolonged flooding of the meadow.

Here, one can escape to the expansive countryside, located only a few hundred meters from the town center.

The area also offers picturesque views back to the Romanesque tower of the Abbey, with the Abbey Mill and a distinctive row of half-timbered houses in the foreground.

In the summertime, a palette of colors is provided by wildflowers like lady’s smock and meadow buttercup, thriving in the alluvial soils of the Severn.

13. Tewkesbury Nature Reserve

As of the publication of this article in 2018, this natural space situated to the southeast of the town had recently been established.

The reserve is located on the floodplain of the River Swilgate and is being developed to create a sanctuary for wildlife in close proximity to the town center.

A total of 68 bird species have been documented at the site thus far, with the expectation that more will arrive as the wetland habitat is developed.

As part of this initiative, new meanders have been excavated to facilitate the establishment of reedbeds, which will eventually support otters and reed warblers.

In the meantime, visitors are encouraged to observe the progress and discover the species that have already made their home here.

14. Croft Farm Water Park

On the site of an old gravel and sand quarry situated one mile north of Tewkesbury lies a lake featuring a holiday community along its shores.

Access is open to all, not just residents, at the Royal Yachting Association-accredited water sports center, which provides equipment rentals and instruction for a variety of activities including stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing.

For newcomers to these activities, short “taster” courses are available to teach fundamental skills, safety, and theoretical knowledge.

15. Tewkesbury Medieval Festival

The centerpiece of Tewkesbury’s summer season is the largest Medieval reenactment in Europe.

In mid-July, this two-day recreation of the Battle of Tewkesbury occurs at the very location where it transpired in 1471. Thousands participate in the battle, engaging in combat amidst clouds of gunpowder, armed with pikes, swords, and bows.

However, the event offers much more, including a historically accurate Medieval camp where many participants and their families spend two days living in the 15th century.

Entertainment is provided by jugglers, jesters, dancers, and musicians, while the Medieval Market showcases traditional cookware, clothing, accessories, games, and musical instruments.

Ales and cider flow abundantly in the Beer Tent, complemented by period games and arts and crafts for children in the activity area.