Family In:site into Tewkesbury

Tewkesbury Caravan Club is one of many located in the beautiful county of Gloucester. It is tucked behind the Abbey and a very short stroll from the town centre, where old medieval and Tudor buildings still line the high street. The site has a less regimented feel with grass pitches dotted around. After its previous problems with flooding in the past, the office is not surprisingly up a flight of stairs. During our stay, a dove was nesting in the roof beams and was clearly visible as you walked up and down the steps to the office. We were also lucky enough to see a swarm of bees being collected by a local bee keeper. Two close encounters with nature during our stay.

 

Children may be disappointed that the site does not offer a play area but immediately outside the entrance is a large playground and outdoor gym alongside a large grassy field that runs alongside the river. This is a very convenient spot for kids and families to wander to from the site and play games.

 

Things to do and see:

 

The tourist information centre in Tewkesbury, a beautifully restored 17th century building that used to sell hats, is also a heritage centre offering an insightful exhibition of local history, focussing on the life of Mr Bartholomew Read, who lived in the building in the 17th century. He explains about what life was like for him and others at the time. 

An audio tour at £1 each is worthwhile for the kids (and adults) and provides an auditory recount of the events to match and enhance the displays. The top floor is dedicated to the War of the Roses and its links with Tewkesbury, where the penultimate battle took place on the grassy fields outside the Caravan Club site. There are plenty of interactive activities for the kids to enjoy, from dressing up in medieval outfits to playing a game of battle top trumps.

 

After visiting the heritage centre a trip to the Abbey is thoroughly recommended. The Abbey, or St Marys, is where Bartholomew Read was buried and Edward, Prince of Wales and Lancastrian heir to the throne, killed by the victorious Yorkists during the battle. The Abbey is a beautiful building both inside and outside.

 

For a break from history and a bit of physical activity, the centrally located Cascades in Tewkesbury is a fun spot for swim, with the added bonus of slides. 

 

Cheltenham offers a variety of festivals throughout the year. We were lucky enough to time our visit with the Science festival. Students, lecturers and a few famous famous offers workshops, talks and hands on activities that will challenge and fascinate any scientists in the family. The festival runs throughout the week, appealing to schools during the weekdays and families at the weekends.