Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey has been at the centre of the town's history for centuries and continues to play an important spiritual and secular role today.
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A decisive battle in the Wars of the Roses
Tracing the steps of 15th century soldiers
The Battle of Tewkesbury was fought on Saturday May 4th 1471 over fields on the south of the town. Thanks to contemporary accounts, the place and course of the battle can be traced with some certainty. Field names like ‘The Bloody Meadow’ help.
Much of the battlefield remains open and undeveloped. Luckily, the area which remains includes the most significant areas, where the Yorkists took the initiative with ‘right a sharp shower of arrows and shot of guns’, and where Richard Duke of Gloucester’s division attacked Edmund Duke of Somerset.
A waymarked route takes you through the key areas, and a battle trail leaflet is available from the Tourist Information Centre, which helps to explain the significance of the various areas.
Tewkesbury Battlefield Society hold monthly guided walks, and will arrange special walks for groups or special occasions.
Contact: 01684 855040
Tewkesbury has two big anniversaries in five years time; 900 years since the consecration of the Abbey and 550 years since the Battle of Tewkesbury. The town will have plenty to celebrate in
2021
The number of Tewkesbury's buildings listed as being of special architectural or historical interest totals more than
350
Tewkesbury Abbey was bought from Henry VIII by the townsfolk for
£453