Knap’s, Chapels & Churches

With its abbeys, chapels and churches, the towns and villages of the Cotswolds and Severn Vale host some of the most beautiful buildings in England. Tewkesbury hosts the magnificent 900 year old Norman Abbey and the 15th century Old Baptist Chapel, while in the surrounding countryside you will discover the historic romance of places such as Odda’s Chapel and the beautiful churches of Stanton and Highnam. The ancient Neolithic burial chamber, Belas Knap just outside of Winchcombe will give you a taster of traditions of years gone by.

1. Tewkesbury Abbey
Known to some as the ‘Westminster Abbey’ of the feudal barony, this is one of the most impressive Norman Abbeys in the country. It houses a fine collection of medieval tombs and monuments and has one of the finest Norman towers to be seen.

Tel: 01684 850959
Email: office@tewkesburyabbey.org.uk
Web: www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk (link opens in new window)
Open: All year
Special Incentives: Coach driver and organiser free. If a two-course lunch is booked in the refectory a discount of £1 per head will be given on the booked group tour.
Price: Free or £2 per person on a booked group tour
Maximum Group Number: 100
Maximum Catering Number: 60
Disabled Access & Toilet

2. Old Baptist Chapel & Burial Ground, Tewkesbury
This is believed to be one of the oldest Baptist Chapels in southern England and dates back to the 15th Century. The history of the chapel is amazing and it is believed that there could have been an underground tunnel from the Chapel all the way to the river ready for escape from persecution.

Tel: 01684 299893
Open: All year
Price: Free – but donations from groups welcome
Maximum Group Number: by arrangement

3. Odda’s Chapel, Deerhurst
A rare Anglo-Saxon chapel founded by Earl Odda in 1056. Close by stands one of the last surviving Anglo-Saxon monastic churches in England and has a secret carved angel.

Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visits (link opens in new window)
Open: All year
Price: Free
Maximum Group Number: small groups only

4. Hailes Abbey
Founded in 1251, the beautiful remains of a Cistercian Abbey lie in the idyllic Cotswold countryside. The audio tour will offer your group a glimpse of life in the 13th Century. Groups do not need to pre-book but it is advisable during peak season.

Tel: 01242 602398
Email: customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Web: www.english-heritage.org.uk/visits (link opens in new window)
Open: Apr-Oct
Special Incentives: Groups of 11+ receive 15% off normal price, free place for every 20th person, coach driver & tour guide free
Price: Under £5
Maximum Group Number: 100
Disabled Access & Toilet

Village Churches
Highnam contains fantastic frescoes by Thomas Gambier Parry, Buckland was said to be one of William Morris’s favourites, Stanway typifies a beautiful Cotswolds church while John Wesley is said to have preached from the pulpit at Stanton. These are all worth a visit if you have time on your tour.

Coach Parking
Hailes Abbey - Free
Odda’s Chapel - Free (mini bus)
Tewkesbury – Gloucester Road - Pay & Display

Eating Out – the following locations have tea rooms / eateries
• Tewkesbury Abbey Refectory
• Tewkesbury
• Winchcombe

Suggested Tour (round trip = approx 20 miles)
1 – 2 Visit Tewkesbury to see the Abbey & Old Baptist Chapel followed by lunch
3 Odda’s Chapel a few miles outside of Tewkesbury (optional)
4 Make the beautiful trip across to Hailes Abbey
• If time and energy allow walk from Winchcombe to Belas Knap (approx 2
Miles and worth the climb!)

Please refer to a road map

For further information contact the Tourist Information Centre: 01684 295027
Email: groupinfo@tewkesburybc.gov.uk