Events & walks

The Society is frequently asked to supply speakers for groups or societies, to give presentations about aspects of the battle or the people, events and politics surrounding it. (Please use our contacts page if you require any further information.)

Working with Tewkesbury Museum, we also provide outreach to both primary and secondary schools.

Events

At a social level, the Society organises events for members and joins with other groups in joint events. Details are circulated to members. Among the highlights have been:

Activities the Society are involved in during  2013:

For more details on any of these events please use our contacts page.

Walks

There are lots of possibilities for walking the battlefield. The southern part is largely open and undeveloped, partly due to our efforts in the past in objecting to building applications. There are routes from Gloucester, by the river Severn and from Tredington, by the river Swilgate. These are pleasant walks, with a number of footpaths criss-crossing the area.

In 1986, a way-marked trail was laid out, and a leaflet is available for self-guiding through the core of the battlefield. This is an easy walk and will take no more than an hour to complete. The Society provides a comprehensive programme of guided walks, which are described below. Additionally, walks can be tailored for the requirements and capabilities of interest groups. We have catered for everyone from the local heart support group to Wars of the Roses societies.

Battlefield Trail

Tewkesbury Battlefield Trail

The summer walk.

Starting at the Crescent, Church Street, at 7.30 in the evening, generally, but not always, on the first Thursday of the month, this walk takes about two hours of gentle strolling. The “talk” explains the complex background to the battle, the conduct of the battle itself, and the fate of the main participants. It visits the “front line” and follows the action back into Tewkesbury.

The winter walk

Exactly as the summer walk, but starting at 2.30pm from The Crescent next to the abby, generally on the first Sunday of the month. The walk may be subject to variations if there are any  floods in Tewkesbury.

A tour viewing Tewkesbury Abbey from the Monument

The Tredington walk

Normally on the Sunday prior to the anniversary of the Battle, a walk along the footpaths to Tredington, the Yorkist camp of the night before. This is again a couple of hours, but with no commentary. Just a walk, and a bit of a debate. The walk starts at 11.00am from the Queen Margaret’s Camp, opposite Gupshill Manor pub, on the Gloucester Road. And returns in time for a pub lunch.

The Festival walk

On the Sunday of the Medieval Festival in July, two walks are taken. The first at 11-30am and the second at 1-30pm. Both start from the public information tent on the fair, and spends a couple of hours looking at aspects of the battlefield which are within parts of the Festival site. This is less of a guided walk and more of a travelling debate, as it is often joined by battlefield historians, and/or by battle re-enactors.

The Memorial Walk

On the Sunday closest to May 4th, the commemorative walk starts in the Tewkesbury Museum, Barton Street, at 2-oopm. Consisting of an audio-visual presentation and an examination of battlefield artifacts, followed by a walking tour of the battlefield. Including looking at the progress of the battle and discussion on tactics and weapons. The tour takes about two to two and a half hours, depending on the amount of discussion entered into.

Walk dates and locations

2013
Sunday 3rd February 2-30 pm The Crescent 2 hour guided tour of the battlefield.
Sunday 3rd March 2-30 pm The Crescent 2 hour guided tour of the battlefield.
 Sunday 7th April  2-30 pm The Crescent 2 hour guided tour of the battlefield.
Sunday 28th April 2-30 pm Queen Margaret’s Camp 2 hour walk to Tredington and back.
Sunday 5th May 2-00 pm The Town Museum In depth anniversary battlefield talk and walk
Thursday 6th June 7-30 pm The Crescent 2 hour guided tour of the battlefield.
Thursday 4th July 7-30 pm The Crescent 2 hour guided tour of the battlefield.
Sunday 14th July 11-30 am & 1-30 pm The Medieval Festival A walk around part of the original battlefield. (listen for announcements at the festival)