Tewkesbury is a beautiful smallish town on the western edge of England - where the longest of England's 5 rivers named Avon (Shakespeare's Avon) meets the mighty Severn. (Avon means 'river' by the way.)
For centuries Tewkesbury was an inland port, and during England's canal building age (1812 in this case) the navigable Severn got connected to the navigable Avon at Stratford by canal.
Why did I choose Tewkesbury? I first heard of Tewkesbury in 2007 when it hit the news as the victim of devastating flooding. Then a couple of years ago I stumbled on the website for the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. Okay I missed 2023 but my leave is booked for middle of July next year.....I might even work on a suitable costume....
The inspiration for their festival is the 1471 Battle of Tewkesbury, a decisive battle in the Wars of the Roses (another history lesson for Mr B).
Here is what Tewkesbury looks like on a normal Sunday in Autumn 2023: (apologies but I took 100s of photos). It isn't all half timbered buildings but it does have an unusually high percentage of genuinely wonky half timbered, very old buildings. The people of Tewkesbury have also bought in (wholesale) to embellishing their town with the banners of knights who engaged in the 1471 battle - many with enlightening info also provided.
Definitely worth the visit. Interesting history. Love the banners, half timbered buildings, narrow passages, and the wooden horses. Glad to see you found some cats.
ReplyDeleteOne very friendly warm furred tuxedo cat in the alley leading to our billet.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteNow this looks like a fun place - and some long-term planning going on there... I can totally see you in Medieval garb!!! YAM xx
I can't see it - need to give it some research (better get historically correct if commiting to such vanity)
DeleteI have never visited Tewkesbury. Seems like a very big omission on my part!
ReplyDeleteSee you at the Medieval Festival 2024.
DeleteIt would be a good setting for a Dickensian Christmas Market. Super photos again TM.
ReplyDeleteChester would be even better.
DeleteSuch a wealth of half-timbered buildings - what a treat. It's something we don't really see in Scotland. I've never been to Tewkesbury, although I do remember reports of the disastrous flooding. Well if you will build a town on a flood plain at the confluence of two major rivers...
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, thanks for all the pictures. I love the wooden horses!
Cheers, Gail.
Silly place to put a town true, but it has been a port for centuries and port usually means support services (a town). I suspect flooding had more to do with humans messing about with river courses and flood plains (and run off in head waters).
Deletei have seen copies of these buildings somewhere here in USA but can't remember where. that is a lot of banners. wow. LOVE that first horse. quite amazing! the second one the knight looks a little goofy. I have always love King Aurthur and the Knights of the round table and those giant horses they rode into battles. the festival will be great i am sure. We have a mediviale festival here once a year, but there are thousands for cars and peoople so have never been. not even when my son played a jousting knight one year.
ReplyDeleteAnyone wearing medieval armour looks goofy. This gug looks like he's riding a palfry rather than a charger - they got the scale a bit wrong in that respect.
DeleteHow lovely to see the local townsfolk joining in with the banners. Fabulous carvings and the horses are just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe artist certainly knows their horses
DeleteI'll be performing at the Medieval Festival next summer once again! It's a wonderful place to visit. Arilx
ReplyDeleteCool - i will definitely be coming to see that.
DeleteOh wow. What an amazing place. I did visit the birthplace of Shakespeare and it was a lovely town. But not in the same league as this place.
ReplyDeleteFabulous pictures thanks so much for sharing