Tetbury is a small town in the Cotswold district of Gloucestershire, England. It’s a lovely town to visit and lots of niceness to see. Tetbury is a great option to visit on a tour of the Cotswolds. It lies on the site of an ancient hill fort, on which an Anglo-Saxon monastery. Ine of Wessex founded the Monastery in 681. Tetbury is the most famous for hosting the annual Tetbury woolsack races each year.
Pubs & Restaurants in Tetbury
There are many options to eat or drink out in the town. These range from the humble pub to some nice eateries.
The Royal Oak
This is a restored Cotswold stone inn with wood timber beams. They also have a selection of real ales and organic food. With a reputation for excellent food, especially with lots of vegan and vegetarian options. Some favourite items from the restaurant menu include;
- Chopped Salad with warm Grilled Chicken, Crispy Bacon, Free Range Egg, Avocado & Shaved Parmesan
- Porcini Mushroom & Herb Burger on Brown Bun with Hand Cut Fries & Seeded Coleslaw (vegan)
- Organic Aberdeen Angus 6oz Burger on Hobbs House Ultimate Burger Bun with Hand Cut Fries & Seeded Coleslaw
The Priory Inn
An idyllic hotel, pub and restaurant in the town for those that want to eat or drink. However, you could also book a room and stay the night. The Priory Inn is a beautiful historical building with stone walls and exposed beams.
The restaurant serves a choice of home-cooked local produce and gourmet pizzas and à la carte menu. For lunch, The Priory Inn has a range of light bites, including ham, cheese or rare beef sandwiches.
Things to see and do in Tetbury
This pretty rural town has many options for things to do. There is also lots of local hiking to enjoy too.
Visit Brownrigg Antiques Shop
Brownrigg supply Antiques, Furnishings, Art, Paintings, Lighting, Upholstery and also many other delightful nicknacks. They also have French or Spanish antiques, nice bookcases or Lifestyle Antiques.
However, for home improvements, they have an interior design shop offering a great selection of decorative pieces. These rage from upholstered antique sofas and armchairs to Swedish clocks and painted furniture. http://www.brownrigg-interiors.com
Attend The Tetbury Woolsack Races
Tetbury Woolsack races is a 17th Century tradition, Tetbury’s Woolsack races originated in the 17th Century. They involved young men showing off to local women by running up the town’s steep Gumstool Hill. The race is between the Royal Oak and Crown pubs, carrying woolsacks.
The race course is 240yds up and down a 1 in 4 incline, and features Gunness World of Records recognised men’s and women’s elite races and team events, including a mini version for children from the local primary school. They compliment Race Day with a street fair with stalls and entertainment. The town also has a fun fair for the duration. Woolsack Day takes place annually, full details are available at www.tetburywoolsack.co.uk.
The Tetbury Woolsack Races are an eccentric Cotswold tradition where fearless competitors run up a steep ‘1 in 4’ hill with a woolsack on their back.
Gloucestershire plays host to more than its fair share of eccentric traditions. However, the annual Tetbury Woolsack Races is a very bizarre occurrence indeed. Each year the event sees fearless, fit and sometimes downright crazy competitors run up a steep ‘1 in 4’ hill in the town with a weighty woolsack on their back.
The original course of 280 yards ran from The Royal Oak to The Crown. However, since 1999, a shorter course of 240 yards, still an extremely challenging distance, has been the course.
The British Wool Federation makes the woolsacks for the event. They weigh 60lb for the men’s races and 35lb for the ladies. And a competitive spirit present at the event and plenty of bravado. There are also many activities that have contributed to making the Tetbury Woolsack Races a firm family favourite for residents and visitors alike.
Visit the Police Museum & Courtroom
Tetbury Police Museum & Courtroom about the history of the Gloucestershire Constabulary. The Museum includes exhibits and memorabilia. The Museum is one of the principal attractions for all ages of visitors to the town and is well worth a visit if you enjoy history.
The museum is on Long Street and also includes the Alex Nichols Collection of Handcuffs and Restraints. They also feature restraints and handcuffs used by the police from different countries around the world.
Visit Westonbirt Arboretum
The Forestry Commission manages this historic, Victorian, picturesque landscape and internationally important tree and shrub collection. However, the Friends of Westonbirt Arboretum support it too. Based in Tetbury, this is a stunning place to visit in all seasons but shines with colour in Autumn. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt