Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury (pronounced "tueks-bury" or sometimes locally as "chooks-bury") is a small market town in north Gloucestershire, approximately north of the city of Gloucester and  north of Cheltenham. It is renowned for its medieval streetscape and large number of timber framed buildings.

Understand
Tewkesbury is a historic market town dating as far back as the 7th century when it was an Anglo-Saxon settlement named Theocsbury. However, the main attraction is the town's role in the Wars of the Roses. The Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471 was a turning point in the war, allowing the Yorkists to eventually succeed at placing their monarch on the English throne.

The town is proud of its medieval heritage and summer visitors will notice the many banners that many of the shops and residences put up around the time of the town's medieval festival.

Orientation
Tewkesbury isn't a large town, however it's large enough to be split into distinct areas.

High Street
The High Street stretches from the roundabout with the war memorial to the Mythe bridge. Most of the town's notable shops are on this street.

Barton Street
Barton Street connects Church Street to the A438 and has the town's police station. There aren't as many businesses on this street.

Walton Cardiff/Wheatpieces
Walton Cardiff is a mostly residential area built on flood plains south of the town. It has a small retail area with a Costcutter's convenience store, Tewkesbury Fryer fish & chips and Glory Garden Chinese takeaway.

Newtown
Newtown is east of the town. It's mostly a residential strip with The Canterbury (a pub with a large weeping willow tree), the town's secondary school and a few businesses.

Northway/Ashchurch
Much like Newtown, Northway is to the east of the town and is mostly residential. However it also home to the Northway Trading Estate, which provides much of the town's income.

Visitor information

 * Visitor information

By car
Tewkesbury is easily accessible from the M50, M5 and the A38, which is the main trunk road through the town. Visitors from South Wales should use the M50, and get off at Junction 1, following the A38 into Tewkesbury. Visitors from the North or South should use the M5 motorway and leave at Junction 9. Tewkesbury is approximately 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the junction and is well signposted from here.

By train
The number 41 and 42 bus service (see link below - use Northway, Steward Rd as a guide to times.) provides a regular service between Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station and Tewkesbury town centre. The bus stop is located less than 200 metres from the station on Northway Lane.

Alternatively, there are the Cheltenham Spa and Gloucester train stations nearby with connections to cities such as London Paddington, Birmingham New Street, Bristol and Cardiff.

By bus
Buses serve Tewkesbury from many neighbouring towns and cities.

There are regular services from Gloucester and Cheltenham and occasional services from Worcester.

71 – (Stagecoach): Gloucester → Twigworth → Norton → Coombe Hill → Walton Cardiff → Tewkesbury → Northway

41 – (Stagecoach): Cheltenham → Uckington → Tewkesbury (Gupshill Manor) → Tewkesbury (Roses Theatre) → Northway

42 – (Stagecoach): Cheltenham → Uckington → Walton Cardiff → Tewkesbury → Mitton or Ashchurch for Tewkesbury Rail Station

Bus services also link Tewkesbury with Ledbury, Pershore, Evesham, Upton upon Severn and Hereford. Tewkesbury Bus Timetables

By boat
Tewkesbury is located at the confluence of the River Severn and the River Avon (Shakespeare's Avon), both of which are navigable. Overnight moorings are available at Tewkesbury Marina and along the banks of the Avon in the town at a cost of £3 per night for up to 48 hours.

Get around
Tewkesbury is a fairly small town and very flat, and is therefore best explored on foot. The tourist board have placed a lot of grey signs, making it easy to find the location attractions. There are many cycle routes throughout the town, but no bicycle hire.

By car
Parking has been made more difficult in the town since the council extended the pavement on the High Street. The best free parking near the High Street is next to the Severn Ham, however it is often full especially on weekends.

If you don't mind paying there are plenty of pay and display car parks.



Walks


Join one of the guided tours to get the most out of your visit to Tewkesbury. Details available from the Tewkesbury Tourist Information Centre, Tewkesbury Museum and most hotels. Alternatively the official Visit Tewkesbury website has a page dedicated to walks in the area.



Festivals

 * Tewkesbury Food and Drink Festival is held on the Abbey grounds, with the next probably on 1-2 June 2024, tbc.
 * Tewkesbury Medieval Festival is held on the Wars of the Roses battlefield and other locations in town in July. They re-create the battle of 1471, which apparently involved a lot of sci-fi ghouls, food stalls and merchandising - who knew?
 * Tewkesbury Water Festival was in July, but hasn't been held post-covid.
 * Tewkesbury Mop Fair was a medieval hiring fair, but it's now a street carnival with rides and performers in October.

Theatre
Tewkesbury's own Roses Theatre hosts many productions and also screens the occasional film. The theatre is perhaps best known for being the last venue for British comedian Eric Morecombe.



Buy
Tewkesbury has a varied high street with a good mix of independent local shops and well known high street chains.



A market is also held in the Spring Gardens car park (just off Oldbury Road) every Wednesday and Saturday.



Occasionally the town hall hosts different market stalls selling local crafts and produce.



The town has three supermarkets, a small Tesco Extra, an Aldi and a large Morrison's supermarket.

Eat
"His wit’s as thick as Tewkesbury mustard. There's no more conceit in him than is in a mallet."

- Henry VI, Part 2, William Shakespeare



Budget
Tewkesbury has a few places for eating on a budget; including takeaways, kebab shops and cheap cafes.



Drink
"At the Hop Pole at Tewkesbury, they stopped to dine; upon which occasion there was more bottled ale, with some more Madeira, and some port besides; and here the case-bottle was replenished for the fourth time. Under the influence of these combined stimulants, Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Ben Allen fell fast asleep for thirty miles, while Bob and Mr. Weller sang duets in the dickey."

- The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

Tewkesbury has many pubs. Some of them however were turned into shops, but a sign on the window or inside the store itself will inform passers-by of the pub that used to stand there.

Tewkesbury's oldest and most famous pub Ye Olde Black Bear which reputedly dates back to 1308 fell into disrepair, was sold off and remains closed. Its counterpart The White Bear however remains open to customers. The residential area between them is appropriately named Twixtbears.



Sleep
Accommodation gets full around the Cheltenham Gold Cup in April.

Connect
As of July 2022, Tewkesbury has 4G from all UK carriers. 5G has not reached town.

Go next
Map of places with Wikivoyage articles nearby


 * Cheltenham – south of Tewkesbury. A historic spa town known for its festivals.
 * Gloucester – south of Tewkesbury. County capital and known for its historic dockyards and cathedral.
 * Worcester – north of Tewkesbury. Historic city, county capital of Worcestershire and home of the famous Worcestershire sauce.