Medieval Tewkesbury & the surrounding Severn Vale

Tewkesbury is renowned as having one of the best medieval black & white townscapes in the country. You will be delighted by the many buildings of this nature, the towns’ plethora of alleyways and the beauty of the crooked timber buildings that almost touch at the eaves. Hidden charms such as gardens and courtyards lie in wait of discovery.

The Severn Vale is full of charm and splendour – the rivers of the Severn and Avon meet at Tewkesbury before winding smoothly through the gently rolling hills into the distance. Take a group boat trip from Tewkesbury to Twyning to sample country life and a lovely riverside pub.

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. John Moore Countryside Museum
housed in a 15th century timber framed building, this museum shows a nature conservation collection dedicated to the naturalist John Moore. Nearby is the restored Merchant’s House.

Tel: 01684 297174
Email: simonlawton@btconnect.com
Web: www.gloster.demon.co.uk/JMCM/index.html (link opens in new window)
Open: Apr – Oct
Special Incentives: Driver and group organiser free, reduced rates for groups
Price: Under £2.50
Maximum Group Number: 30

3. Tewkesbury Borough Museum
Relive times past in Tewkesbury’s local history museum. Highlights include a model of the Battle of Tewkesbury and other ancient artefacts spanning over thousands of years. Special group tours can be arranged.

Tel: 01684 292901
Email: museum@tewkg120.fsnet.co.uk
Web: mysite.freeserve.com/tewkesburymuseum (link opens in new window)
Open: All year
Price: £1 or Under
Maximum Group Number: 30

4. Old Baptist Chapel & Burial Ground
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

Boating
5. Pride of Avon
Enjoy a trip on the river from Tewkesbury to Twyning and stop off for food or lunch on board. Pre-book the Pride of Avon for your group, alternatively there is a ferry which runs throughout the summer months. Evening supper cruises are also available for groups of 10+ and can be tailored to your precise requirements.

Tel: 01684 294088
Web: www.telstarcruisers.co.uk (link opens in new window)
Open: Apr-Sept
Special Incentives: Coach driver free with a meal
Price: Ferry under £3, pre-booked trip prices on request
Maximum Group Number: 66

6. Nature in Art, Twigworth
A museum set in a fine Georgian Mansion that contains art inspired by nature. Artists of international repute are on exhibition, from Picasso to David Shepherd. Pre-booked introductory talks and themed lectures are available.

Tel: 01452 731422
Email: ninart@globalnet.co.uk
Web: www.nature-in-art.org.uk (link opens in new window)
Open: All year
Special Incentives: 50p discount per person, driver free
Price: Under £5
Maximum Group Number: 100
Maximum Catering Number: 60
Disabled Access & Toilet

Tewkesbury Markets
Farmers’ Market - 2nd Saturday of every month
General Market - weekly on Wednesday & Saturday

Coach Parking
Tewkesbury – Gloucester Road (Pay & Display)
Nature In Art – Free

Eating Out – the following locations have tea rooms / eateries
• Tewkesbury Abbey
• Nature In Art
• Pre-booked food on The Pride of Avon
• Tewkesbury

Suggested Tour (round trip = approx 15 miles)
1 – 5 Explore Tewkesbury’s attractions, alleyways and rivers
Lunch either in Tewkesbury, take in a leisurely lunch whilst on a boat trip or
wait until Twyning village (coach collection in Twyning)
6 Discover Nature in Art and stop for afternoon tea

Please refer to a road map

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