The charming medieval market town of Tewkesbury lies nestled in the beautiful rolling fields of Gloucestershire, and as well as being a beautiful place to visit, it is steeped in a fascinating history going back nearly a thousand years!
In the 7th century, the town was first founded and recorded as ‘Theocsbury’ after the hermit who set up home in the area. The town soon grew in the area, and Tewkesbury Abbey will celebrate it’s 900th anniversary in 2021!
Visitors coming to the town will see the many architectural building styles, including the famous abbey, built throughout the years. A variety of black and white Tudor buildings, medieval homes and more modern architecture stand together, providing visitors with a picturesque snapshot of the towns progress through the years.
The nearby rivers were one of the main attractions to settlers in the town, providing a means of transport for goods, and quickly Tewkesbury became a bustling market town in Tudor times. During the 19th century, work began on the Mythe bridge, which was designed by Thomas Telford, and still stands today as a crossing over the River Severn.
Tewkesbury celebrates it’s medieval history by hosting an annual medieval festival, which includes re-enactments of famous battles, most famous of all being a Battle of the Roses, which happened just outside the town in the nearby fields, securing a victory for Yorkshire over Lancashire, and a statue at the edge of the town depicts this.
Visitors to Tewksbury will find many historical sites to visit in and around the area, some of these include Chedworth Roman Villa, Hailes Abbey and Tewkesbury museum. It is also home to the biggest street fair in the west of England – Tewkesbury Mop Fair, held on 9th and 10th October each year, and has been going since 1199.