Car Hire Tewkesbury

Nestled at the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Avon, Tewkesbury beckons with its rich tapestry of medieval charm and historical significance. With a population of a little over 20,000, this market town offers easy access via the M5 and M50 motorways, plus the A38, A438 and A46 trunk roads. The temperate climate sees mild winters averaging 4°C and pleasant summers reaching 22°C, making it an ideal year-round destination for exploration. Whether we’re drawn by the Norman architecture or you prefer discovering hidden historical gems, having your own wheels transforms every journey into an adventure.

Tewkesbury boasts one of Britain’s finest Norman abbeys, magnificent Tudor and medieval timber-framed buildings lining the historic streets and the largest collection of medieval buildings in the West Midlands. The town played a pivotal role in the Wars of the Roses, with the decisive Battle of Tewkesbury fought nearby in 1471. Key attractions include the Abbey with its Norman tower, John Moore Museum, numerous antique shops and traditional pubs dating back centuries.

Attractions In Tewkesbury

Explore medieval abbey town and river heritage, featuring magnificent Norman abbey architecture, historic half-timbered buildings, riverside walks along converging rivers and excellent museums celebrating centuries of continuous settlement.

Tewkesbury Abbey

The magnificent abbey dominates Church Street as the town’s crown jewel, welcoming visitors daily from 9 AM until 4:30 PM. This Norman masterpiece, consecrated in 1121, earns its stellar 4.7 rating from over 3,000 visitors through its breathtaking architecture and peaceful atmosphere. The abbey’s survival of Henry VIII’s dissolution makes it particularly remarkable and the well-maintained grounds and charming cafe provide perfect spots for reflection after exploring the sacred spaces.

Tewkesbury Old Baptist Chapel

Located at 64 Church Street, this 15th-century timber-framed treasure tells fascinating stories of religious heritage and literary connections. The chapel’s transformation around 1720 for Baptist worship created unique architectural features that we can still admire today. Most intriguingly, you’ll discover burial grounds containing descendants of William Shakespeare’s family, including his fifth great-grandnephew William Shakespeare Hart, making this small chapel a significant piece of England’s cultural puzzle.

Tewkesbury Museum

Barton Street’s local history haven offers comprehensive glimpses into the area’s past from prehistoric times through modern day. The museum’s incredible animatronic fairground display represents painstaking craftsmanship that alone justifies the visit. Upstairs, you’ll find detailed exhibits about the historic Battle of Tewkesbury, complete with battle models and every corner reveals fascinating artefacts that bring centuries of local life vividly to your imagination.

The John Moore Countryside Museum

At 41 Church Street, this countryside-focused museum provides intimate insights into rural Gloucestershire life through personal audio guides. The collection showcases fascinating agricultural artefacts alongside extensive photograph archives that tell compelling stories of bygone eras. However, visitors should note that the steep stairs and narrow passages make access challenging for those with mobility concerns, though the friendly staff provide excellent assistance.

Explore nearby destinations with convenient links:

• Teddington
• Barrow
• Southam
• Cheltenham
• Longford
• Gloucester
• Stanway
• Newent

Out Of The Hat Heritage Museum

Church Street’s heritage museum at number 101 offers family-friendly exploration through Tewkesbury’s timeline in a beautifully preserved historic building. The museum’s interactive activities keep children engaged as adults appreciate the detailed chronological displays. You’ll find this compact venue provides excellent value through its thoughtful curation, though we recommend allowing extra time to fully absorb the wealth of information presented throughout the carefully designed exhibition spaces.

Showborough House Garden Sculpture Exhibition

Hidden away in Twyning, this remarkable sculpture garden opens for just five weeks annually, making timing crucial for your visit. The naturally designed garden rooms, divided by hedges, contain hundreds of artworks in various price ranges suitable for all collectors. Navigation requires Google satnav rather than traditional car systems but the journey rewards visitors with over two hours of artistic discovery plus refreshments available through the honest-box system.

Visit Tewkesbury Heritage Centre

The Heritage & Visitor Centre at 100 Church Street serves as your perfect starting point for exploring the town’s abundant Tudor architecture and riverside walks. Staff provide invaluable local knowledge about the best viewing points for the historic buildings that line the streets. The centre’s location makes it ideal for picking up maps and information before you embark on walking tours that reveal the town’s incredible architectural heritage.

Tewkesbury Battlefield 1471 (Queen Margaret’s Camp)

This roadside historical landmark marks where Lancastrian forces made their final stand during the Wars of the Roses in 1471. The site’s significance extends beyond military history, as it represents the end of Lancastrian hopes and Henry VI’s cause. Standing here, you can imagine the tension that filled these fields as medieval armies prepared for battle and the peaceful countryside setting provides a stark contrast to the violent events that shaped English history.

Tewkesbury Battlefield

Tewkesbury Battlefield was the site of one of the most decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses, fought on 4 May 1471. King Edward IV’s Yorkist forces defeated the Lancastrian army led by the Duke of Somerset and Queen Margaret of Anjou. Around 2,000 Lancastrians were killed, including Edward, Prince of Wales, Henry VI’s heir. The area between the battlefield and Tewkesbury Abbey became known as Bloody Meadow. This decisive Yorkist victory effectively ended Lancastrian hopes and secured Edward IV’s throne for 12 years.

Abbey Mill (Fletcher’s Mill)

Abbey Mill, also known as Fletcher’s Mill, is a restored 18th-century water mill on the Mill Avon at Tewkesbury. Originally built in 1190 when monks from Tewkesbury Abbey dug a channel from the River Avon to power a corn mill, the present structure was rebuilt in 1793 with four wheels. The mill takes its alternative name from Abel Fletcher, a Quaker former owner who inspired the miller character in Dinah Craik’s popular 1856 novel “John Halifax, Gentleman”. The mill operated until 1920 when it could no longer compete with larger modern mills. It has since been converted into apartments whilst retaining its picturesque riverside setting.

View Of Tewkesbury Weir

The weir viewpoint creates one of the town’s most photographed scenes, accessible via pleasant canalside walks that take barely two minutes from the town centre. This location combines the expansive field perfect for dog walking with convenient proximity to shops and cafes.

Severn Ham Nature Reserve

Severn Ham is a 175-acre Site of Special Scientific Interest in Tewkesbury, situated between the Rivers Severn and Avon. This traditionally managed floodplain meadow is important for its biodiversity, featuring neutral grassland with diverse flora including rare sulphurwort, meadow buttercup and lady’s smock. The Ham is regularly flooded in winter, with fertile silt deposits enriching the soil. It provides habitat for ground-nesting birds and offers level walking paths for visitors.

Tewkesbury Nature Reserve

Tewkesbury Nature Reserve is a charity-run 44-hectare wetland haven on the edge of Tewkesbury, founded in 2011. The reserve sits on a floodplain where the River Swilgate and Tirle Brook meet, creating a mix of wildflower meadows, ponds, reedbeds and an orchard. It’s home to diverse wildlife including herons, otters, kingfishers, dragonflies and butterflies. Free to access year-round with complimentary parking, the reserve offers multiple entrance points within walking distance of the town centre. Visitors can enjoy level walking paths, monthly wildlife walks and regular events. As a floodplain, it floods regularly, so checking conditions before visiting is advised.

The Vineyards

The Vineyards is a large green space behind Tewkesbury Abbey, taking its name from the medieval vineyards once cultivated by the Abbey’s monks. Now a popular recreational area within walking distance of the town centre, it features rugby and football pitches, a bowling club and hosts events including the annual Food & Drink Festival and fireworks displays. The Vineyards also includes the adiZone, an outdoor multi-sports gym with climbing wall and basketball facilities suitable for all ages. With its picnic areas and dog-walking spaces, it provides scenic views of Tewkesbury Abbey and serves as the starting point for the Battle of Tewkesbury trail.

The Roses Theatre

Sun Street’s community theatre showcases local artistic talent through varied productions ranging from traditional pantomimes to contemporary performances. Recent productions have drawn visitors from considerable distances, testament to the high-quality entertainment this community venue consistently delivers throughout its seasonal programme of events and performances.