Tewkesbury Visitor Guide
Tewkesbury is a town in the north of Gloucestershire, just off the M5 motorway. It stands where the River Severn and the River Avon join, however; it is an area prone to flooding. There are options for things to see or do in Tewkesbury, from historical tourist attractions to adventure activities. The town features many notable Medieval Tudor buildings. Its most popular attraction is Tewkesbury Abbey, an abbey church dating back to Norman times.
Things To See & Do in Tewkesbury
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Some highlights to a visit to the town from shopping, dining out or exploring historical sites.
Visit The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin
The centrepiece of the town is its famous abbey, The Abbey Church of St Mary the Virgin. Tewkesbury Abbey is a former benedictine monastery and is great for having a look around and attend events like food fayres in its grounds.
They consider the abbey one of the best examples of Norman architecture in the country. It also has a Romanesque crossing tower that is the largest in Europe. The church is home to three organs with the Milton Organ, which dates back to the 17th century.
River Avon & Severn
The town is the location where 2 rivers converge, The River Severn and Avon. This is pretty, as is The Severn Ham, a 70-hectare nature reserve and site of special scientific interest. However, the town is prone to flooding and many will be familiar with the floods that often engulf the town centre and surrounding countryside.
Roses Theatre
The Roses Theatre is the premier arts centre in the town. Its main auditorium seats up to 375 people. It shows live performances and also 35mm film / digital projection.
Victoria Pleasure Gardens
Also known as Victoria Gardens, the pleasure garden is a tranquil place to visit. The gardens have a stunning display of flowerbeds, including many roses. There are magnificent views of the Ham and the Malvern Hills from the garden, particularly in the winter months. They created Victoria Pleasure Gardens to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897. They have grown lots since then and improved over the 100+ years.
Peruse The Historic Buildings
There are lots of historic buildings to see while exploring the streets of Tewkesbury, many of which are timber-framed. This includes some private dwellings and pubs like The Bell. The Bell is a hotel and bar with a restaurant near to the abbey.
Visit The John Moore Countryside Museum
They house the John Moore Countryside Museum in a row of timber-framed buildings. This museum has exhibits about John Moore & natural history. The museum has been in Tewkesbury since 1980. They created it as a memorial of the writer & naturalist, John Moore. Nowadays, the museum houses an extensive Natural History collection with specimens of the mammals and birds of Britain.
Pubs, Restaurants & Hotels in Tewkesbury
There are many options for places to stay, pubs and restaurants in the town, including some in pretty old buildings.
The Bell
The Bell Hotel is a historic place for a drink, a meal or to stay in Tewkesbury. It is in a pretty timber framed building that dates from the 17the century. You can find out about staying at the Bell Inn on the Booking.com website. Their restaurant and pub serves food and drink all day. This includes Sunday roasts each weekend. As a bonus, the Bell is a dog friendly venue too. You can see their current food and drink menus on their website.
Puckrup Hall
The Hilton Puckrup Hall hotel is set on 140 acres of private grounds and is home to a skincare spa, an indoor pool, a whirlpool, and a health club.
They have a restaurant on-site called Coopers, which serves traditional English and international cuisine. You can enjoy a meal while admiring the local countryside and pretty golf course. You can also enjoy a drink at Coopers Bar or outside overlooking the golf course terrace. Their restaurant is a great place to visit to enjoy breakfast or a nice evening meal.
The hotel is on the edge of the Cotswolds and has over 140 acres of private grounds that include a Championship 18-hole golf course, Spa, fitness centre & indoor pool. They have loads of space to host outdoor events, large meetings and special occasions such as weddings and civil ceremonies.