Tewkesbury stands on both the River Severn and River Avon.
It was originally a market town but it greatly expanded after the Second World War.
It had been a flour-milling town for centuries and the Old Abbey Mill still remains but has now been converted into residential dwellings.
Two barges remained in service until 1998 taking grain from the new mill from Avonmouth and Sharpness. The mill closed in 2006 ending the town’s 800years of milling trade.
The town has many Tudor buildings but is best known for its Abbey, which was once a monastary.
The town nowadays has a high tech industry and nearby in Ashchurch there still is an Armed Forces vehicle supply and maintenance depot.
Abbey Cottages are over 500yrs old, one is a museum the others are residential homes.
Myth Bridge is of cast iron construction over the River Severn. It was built with a footspan of 170feet in 1826. Another bridge over the River Avon is the King John’s bridge. This was built in the 12th century and some of the original brickwork can be seen on the north side. It was widened in 1960 to allow for more traffic to pass over it.
The Roses Theatre in town is an arthouse cinema and also hosts live performances. It was in this theatre, back in 1984, that Eric Morecombe collapsed after a charity show. The conference room now bears his name.
There are many public houses in Tewkesbury some of which have a historical background. It is also home to the oldest Pub in Gloucestershire, The Black Bear that dates back to 1308.
The town holds several festivals throughout the year which include the Beer Festival in February, July sees the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival that includes a re-enactment of a medieval encampment plus games and food. Also in July is the water Festival with different events taking place on the banks of the river. There is a procession of lit boats and it all ends with a firework display. In October the town hold the Mop Fair, this was where people would come to find employment nowadays it is just a big fair that takes over most of the town.
Tewkesbury was one of the towns that suffered badly in the floods of 2007. They had some of the worst flooding Britain had ever seen. The town’s people were still able to laugh when it was announced that the Water Festival, due the take place that weekend. had been cancelled. The Water Works was also flooded leaving some 140,000 homes without fresh water for two weeks.
Property to rent in Tewkesbury is available at average costs of £450pcm for a l bed flat, £495pcm for a 2 bed flat, £465pcm for a l bed house and £575pcm for a w bed house.
For a small town Tewkesbury has a good selection of shops including Ko-gee, Carole Ann, Powder Hounds Ladies Clothing, Pretty Special and 2-4-U.
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