Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire

Published: November 2, 2021 - Last updated 17 July 2024 - Please note: This blog was first published more than a year ago.
Sue McGreal

The town of Tewkesbury took the name of Theocsbury from Theoc, a Saxon hermit, who arrived there in the 7th century but, over the years, this has become the more familiar Tewkesbury. It has always been an important site over the years, wealthy and prosperous, and the main streets have many good examples of medieval, Tudor and Georgian houses.

Because of its position near rivers and roads, Tewkesbury has good transport links for trade. Major industries have included brewing, pin making and knitted stockings but the town is most famous for its mustard, even managing a reference from Shakespeare's Falstaff - "Wit as thick as Tewkesbury mustard"!

There are several car parks available in Tewkesbury - we usually use the small car park by the Abbey on Gander Lane but there are plenty more.

Tewkesbury Abbey

2021 is an important year for Tewkesbury Abbey as it marks the 900th anniversary of its consecration in 1121.

Tewkesbury Abbey is well known for having the largest and finest example of a Norman tower in the world. It also has excellent examples of medieval stained glass windows, installed some time in the 1400s.

Around 1540, at the end of the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII sold the Abbey to the townspeople of Tewkesbury for £453 and its 8 bells for £142. Other towns weren't as lucky and their bells were taken to be melted down for Henry's warships.

Tewkesbury river walk

There are several versions of a river walk in Tewkesbury as the town is situated at the confluence of the rivers Severn and Avon, which in turn are fed by the Carrant Brook and the river Swilgate, so plenty to choose from!

We walked from the car park back up to the Gloucester Road and turned left, away from the town centre. After passing Victoria Gardens and the Gloucester Road coach and car park, we turned right up Lower Lode Lane. After a pleasant walk of just over half a mile, the lane becomes part of the Severn Way long distance footpath at the Lower Lode picnic ground. There is also a small ferry here in the season to ferry people across the river to the pub on the opposite bank.

As you start on the path, you pass Cheltenham College Boathouse, which has interesting markers indicating the various flood levels on the front wall.

Part way along this path there is a public footpath sign for the Battlefield Trail, a walk marking the site of a pivotal battle in the War of the Roses.

Edward, Prince of Wales

On 4th May 1471, the Lancastrians were defeated by the Yorkists and the Lancastrian Edward, Prince of Wales, was killed in the battle. He is buried in Tewkesbury Abbey. This battle effectively ended the Lancastrian claim on the throne.

This year, 2021, marks the 550th anniversary of the battle. As you walk through the streets of the town, you'll spot lots of banners representing the families, both Yorkist and Lancastrian, who were involved. The meanings of the banners and a short history of the person they represented are to be found near each one.

Tewkesbury today

Today, the town of Tewkesbury has the usual array of shops complemented by a number of listed buildings, including The Berkeley Arms, (http://www.berkeleyarms.pub/) which has an 11th century barn still used as a dining space.

There are plenty of coffee shops, cafes and pubs for refreshments between shopping and taking in the town, and with its mix of history, commerce and landscape, Tewkesbury is well worth a visit.

Sue McGreal