Tewkesbury, the Home of The Black Bear, the Oldest Public House in Gloucestershire, England
Tewkesbury is a civil parish and town in the far north of the English County of Gloucestershire. It is located at the junction of the River Avon and River Severn and forms part of the border with Worcestershire. The name of the town is derived from Theoc, a Saxon who established a hermitage in the area in the 7th Century. In the Old English language, the town’s name is read as Theocsbury.
Food, Shopping and Accommodation in Tewkesbury
The town is home to the oldest public house in Gloucestershire, the Black Bear, which dates back from 1308. Other buildings of note are the Royal Hop Pole Hotel, Bell Hotel, and the House of the Nodding Gables. The Royal Hop Pole Hotel located in Church Street was recently made part of the Wetherspoons pub chain after the discovery of a medieval banqueting hall in the building. All-in-all, this town boasts of seven hotels, twelve Inns/B&Bs and two speciality lodgings. It also provides guests with a wide selection of places to dine and wine with its 59 restaurants, pubs, coffee shops and more.
As to shopping, Tewkesbury offers shoppers a unique retail experience with independent retailers snuggled between familiar high street names providing them with a fantastic choice.
Things to See and Do in Tewkesbury
There are some important medieval Tudor buildings in this town, but the most famous is the Abbey, a fine example of a Norman abbey church and a must visit when in this town. Visits to the town’s Museum and John Moore Museum are also must do things while visiting this town.
Other not to be missed sites are the commemorative sculptures at the Tewkesbury Battlefield, the Showborough House Sculpture Garden, and The Victoria Pleasure Gardens, while nature and wildlife tours are also recommended.