Located at the meeting of the rivers Severn and Avon, this picturesque town has managed to preserve its mediaeval charm while gaining an abundance of Tudor-style half-timbered structures. Tewkesbury is home to approximately 350 historic structures that have been designated as National Historic Landmarks, making it one of the best mediaeval Black and White townscapes in the country. There are many unique boutiques, tea rooms, restaurants, taverns, and wine bars in addition to the town’s spectacular abbey, which dates back to the 12th century and features the tallest Norman tower in all of England. Throughout the year, the community hosts a variety of festivals, including a rural market, a farmers market, a vintage fair, and a food fair. The town’s proximity to the Severn Way and Shakespeare’s Avon Way makes it a great starting point for a number of scenic hikes. Cheltenham, a nearby spa town, is known for its stunning Georgian architecture and wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shopping. This lively city also hosts a variety of other festivals, including those celebrating literature, jazz, science, cricket, food and drink, and comedy. Every year, the track hosts the prestigious Gold Cup races, and it also hosts a number of other horse races. There are Roman ruins, Victorian docklands, and a magnificent Norman cathedral in Gloucester, the cloisters of which were utilised as a filming site for the Harry Potter movies. Great day trips can be taken to the Royal Forest of Dean, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, the World Heritage city of Bath, Shakespeare’s birthplace of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, and many of the unspoiled Cotswold towns and villages.
