A medieval market town, Tewkesbury still boasts a traditional high street of independent shops and locally sourced food and drink – a town full of quaint character and charm.
Many of our Cotswold restaurants are nearby, where you can enjoy a delicious meal created from the freshest seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Why not wash it down with a pint of our award-winning Butcombe beer?
Dyer Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 2PF
Station Road, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 7AN
18 Black Bourton Road, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3HA
Fleet Lane, Twyning, Nr Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 6FL
Burford, Oxfordshire, OX18 4HX
The Burgage, Prestbury, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3DL
Tewkesbury is the definition of a quintessentially British town in the Cotswolds and it is easy to while away the hours here – especially when the weather is nice! After taking in the sights of Tewkesbury, stop by one of our welcoming Cotswold restaurants and enjoy a delicious meal, prepared with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.
Right on the edge of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you’ll find The Bear Inn. Enjoy modern twists on pub classics in a historic pub with traditional features, rustic furnishings, a pleasant beer garden and a roaring open fire. After working up an appetite while exploring Tewkesbury, try our Baked Camembert, Butcombe Original beer-battered fish and chips or, if you are visiting on a Sunday, Cirencester’s finest roast.
If you’re a fan of beer-battered fish and chips, love a classic Sunday roast (with all the trimmings, of course), or you consider yourself a beer connoisseur, stop by The Beckford Inn for a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant and a friendly atmosphere. Ideal for a break after visiting Tewkesbury, exploring the Gloucestershire countryside, or after a spot of shopping – go on, you deserve it!
Cosy booths, a friendly atmosphere, delicious food, and award-winning beers await you at The Beehive in Carterton, close to the beautiful city of Oxford, and not far from the wonderful spa town of Tewkesbury. Stop by for your favourite classic pub meal – whether you’re a fan of fish and chips, peckish for a light bite, or in the mood for a proper British roast dinner – and indulge with a perfectly-paired pint of Butcombe beer.
The Prince Of Burford gastropub is situated right on the edge of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and just 40 minutes away from the fantastic town of Tewkesbury. Treat yourself to their famous Butcombe Original beer-battered fish and chips, Cotswold burger, or decadent vegetarian pumpkin and ricotta tortelloni. Pair any of these delicious meals with a selection of award-winning Butcombe beer behind the bar.
Overlooking the River Avon, there’s not many views as spectacular as at The Fleet Inn. Enjoy a delicious alfresco classic pub meal in ambience, with the babbling sounds of the river mere metres away, and a pint of award-winning Butcombe beer in your hand – the perfect way to spend an evening after a wonderful day exploring Tewkesbury.
The Royal Oak gastropub in Prestbury is nestled between the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Cheltenham Racecourse, making it the perfect place to rest while exploring Tewkesbury. It boasts log fires, a dog-friendly snug bar and dining room with high quality pub food and excellent real ale. Choose from a selection of locally-sourced pub classics with modern twists, with options for kids, vegans, vegetarians, and other dietary requirements.
The architecture throughout Tewkesbury is eclectic and from a range of different time periods including medieval houses, Tudor buildings, Georgian shops and Victorian properties nestled together.
The River Avon runs adjacent to the town and was once used to import and export goods such as the famous Tewkesbury Mustard – the finest in England (in our opinion!)
Tewkesbury was also the site of the Battle of the Roses in the 15th century, which is reenacted annually at the local Medieval Festival in July.
One of the finest examples of medieval architecture, Tewkesbury Abbey attracts visitors from all over the world.
Standing proudly since 1087, Tewkesbury Abbey has remained largely unchanged since the 12th century. While many ecclesiastical institutions fell into ruin following the dissolution of the monasteries, Tewkesbury Abbey was saved by its townsfolk. They paid £453 to save the abbey for future generations, an amount which would equate to in excess of £150,000 today.
Tewkesbury Abbey is open all year round and is free to enter, although donations are welcome.
A stone’s throw from Tewkesbury Abbey is the John Moore Museum.
A nod to the writer and naturalist of the same name, the museum opened its doors in 1980 and offers a variety of natural history collections, boasting specimens of the wildlife native to our countryside.
There are several audio guides available, which enhance the experience for visitors of this wonderful museum.
Built in the 15th century, The Old Baptist Chapel was just a medieval house. However, by the mid-17th century, it is believed that the Baptists were holding their meetings there.
In 1805, having outgrown The Old Baptist Chapel, the gatherings were held at a larger, more suitable property and the chapel became a simple dwelling once more.
By 1970, The Old Baptist Chapel had fallen into a state of disrepair and was restored to its former glory by Tewkesbury Borough Council. In 2012, the John Moore Museum took over the management of the chapel, which has now been improved even further with funds the Heritage Lottery.
Learn about the history of Tewkesbury from a variety of collections in the town’s museum.
The museum celebrates some of Tewkesbury’s most famous names, with a dedicated collection for famed explorer Raymond Priestly (who was part of Captain Scott’s expedition to the Antarctic).
With a range of craft activities, a trail and a dressing-up box, Tewkesbury Town Museum offers a fun and informative visit for the whole family.
Although it is within walking distance of the town centre, Tewkesbury Nature Reserve offers over 100 acres of sanctuary for a variety of wildlife.
Almost 70 different species of bird have been spotted here, along with nearly 100 unique species of invertebrates. The backwaters are popular with many shoals of fish who feed and spawn in the area.
The nature reserve can be navigated best by exploring the following walks:
Meadow walk: 1.1 miles
River walk: 2.6 miles
If you wish to embark on a longer journey, you can combine both walks to make a single, longer walk.
Tewkesbury Nature Reserve isn’t the only place to enjoy walks and the breathtaking scenery that goes with it. Some of the most popular walking routes are:
This is a short, mainly flat walk that follows the River Avon in the town centre of Tewkesbury.
The Severn Ham is one of only a few remaining hams in the UK. It is rich with wildlife and can be easily reached from the centre of Tewkesbury.
Arguably the most famous walk in Tewkesbury, The Battle Trail will take you around the area where the Battle of Tewkesbury was fought in 1471.
This is a self-guided walk around the town centre where you can explore the ancient alleyways and ancient buildings.
To remind our customers how much we appreciate them, we created the Butcombe Loyalty Club.
Turn points into pounds, enjoy 25% off food every Butcombe Wednesday, and receive extra rewards throughout the year.
To sign up, check your balance and more, head to our Loyalty Members area.
