A Day Out In Tewkesbury: Visiting The Cotswolds

Tewkesbury is the definition of a quintessentially British town in the Cotswolds.

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.

A Historic Riverside Town In Gloucestershire, Just 20 Minutes (10 Miles) From The Royal Oak

Either before or after your day out in Tewkesbury, pay a visit to The Royal Oak in Cheltenham and see what delicious seasonal menus we have available. Behind the bar, there will be plenty of award-winning Butcombe beer, alongside our extensive range of cocktails and wines.

 

 

The History Of Tewkesbury

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.

Find out more about Tewkesbury’s history

Tewkesbury Abbey

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.

John Moore Museum

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.

The Old Baptist Chapel & Court

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.

Tewkesbury Town Museum

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.

Tewkesbury Nature Reserve

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 Walking Routes

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:

The Riverside Walk & The Severn Ham Walk

This is a short, mainly flat walk that follows the River Avon in the town centre of Tewkesbury.

The Severn Ham – Nature Walk & History Walk

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.

The Battle Trail

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.

Heritage & Alleyways Trail

This is a self-guided walk around the town centre where you can explore the ancient alleyways and ancient buildings.

Directions To The Royal Oak From Tewkesbury

Located just outside Cheltenham in the village of Prestbury, The Royal Oak is a historic 16th-century pub, full of traditional Cotswold charm and original features, and the closest pub to Cheltenham Racecourse.

To reach The Royal Oak from St Mary’s Lane Car Park in Tewkesbury, you must head east on St Mary’s Lane before turning right onto Church Street. Continue onto Gloucester Road and take 2nd exit at the roundabout, before turning left onto A4019 and then taking the 1st exit at the next roundabout onto Kingsditch Lane.

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Swindon Road before turning left onto Windyridge Road. You will then encounter 5 roundabouts in quick succession:

At the first roundabout, take the 2nd exit
At the second roundabout, take the 1st exit
At the third roundabout, take the 3rd exit

Continue straight at the final 2 roundabouts before turning left onto The Burgage, where you will find The Royal Oak on your left.