Tewkesbury
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Small and attractive Cotswolds town
Central England
chew-ks-bery
Tewkesbury
Tewkesbury is renowned for having one of the best medieval black and white townscapes in Britain. The crooked half-timbered houses make wandering the narrow streets of this town a fascinating experience.
The 12th-century Abbey with the highest Norman tower in England, dominates the town. Its fine stained glass windows and carefully sculptured tombs still remain. Other attractions include the award winning Out of the Hat visitor centre, the fascinating John Moore Countryside Museum, the Town Museum and the Old Baptist Chapel.Activities
Tewkesbury Abbey is larger than many cathedrals. Features include the exquisitely sculptured tombs and chantry chapels and the 17th century Milton Organ
The award winning Out of the Hat visitor centre residing in a lovingly restored 15th century building explores the towns interesting history using display panels and interactive games.
The John Moore Countryside Museum is housed in a 15th century timber-framed building, and has natural history exhibits displaying British wetland and woodland wildlife.
The Tewkesbury Museum houses attractive displays in a 17thC half-timbered building. Highlights in the collection include a model of the battle of Tewkesbury, a Roman skeleton and large-scale fairground models. There are living history and archaeology events every school holiday.
What's nearby
Gloucester Cathedral built by Benedictine monks in the 12th century and lies at the heart of the city. Its fine craftsmanship with the peculiar fan-vaulted cloisters and beautiful wood, stone and glass was one of the locations in the movies ‘Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone’ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’.
Cheltenham Spa a 'town within a park’ offers beautiful parks and gardens, tree-lined avenues and colourful floral displays, plus the Pittville Pump Room the grandest of the town’s many spa buildings. The town is also birthplace of the composer Gustav Holst who now has a museum dedicated to his life.
The Cotswolds are in easy reach from Tewkesbury, with the closest Cotswold town being Winchcombe, home to St Peter’s church, famous for the 40 gargoyles outside, said to represent local town characters from the 1460’s. Further north and east Broadway’s narrow lanes off the main street with their stone cottages have inspired artists, writers and composers over the years, while neighbouring Chipping Campden’s fine 17th century market hall with elaborate timber roof is worth a visit.
Tewkesbury was once famous for it's unique mustard production and it even got a mention in one of Shakespeare's plays!
Dick King Smith (children's author)
George Whitefield (Revival Evangelist)
