Tewkesbury is an ancient settlement at the meeting of the Rivers Severn and Avon. The surrounding rivers and flood plain have prevented the old town from expanding so that its long, thin profile has hardly altered since the Middle Ages. Here you will see one of the best medieval townscapes in England with its fine half-timbered buildings, overhanging upperstoreys and narrow alleyways.

The Norman Abbey, built in the early 12th century, dominates the town and in 1471 the fields to the south saw the penultimate and decisive battle in the War of the Roses leading the house of York to power. Mustard making, brewing and malting, pin making and the framework knitting of stockings were at one time major industries. Goods were transported on the rivers and a thriving market brought business to the town.