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.

Walks

Walk Dates for 2024

Tewkesbury Battlefield Society are offering guided walks of the Battlefield on the below dates. The walks last approximately 2 hours and are free, although donations to the Society are welcome. Just turn up and walk, dogs on leads welcome. The walk starts at the short stay car park in Gander Lane. (Satnav post code is: GL20 5PG. What3words - informer.clings.loaf). Meet on the steps of the red brick “Abbey Lawn gate” midway along of the car park.

Browse the calendar below for all of our upcoming walks. A complete list of walk dates can be found here.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page or Twitter feed to see if there have been any changes due to weather or conditions on the battlefield.

We can also provide separate walks/talks for societies, clubs etc in addition to the above dates. Please contact us for details.

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 2019 a re-vamped, a way-marked trail with interpretation boards together with an accompanying leaflet was launched for self-guiding through the core of the battlefield. This is an easy walk and will take no more than an hour to complete. Full details are available at the Tourist Information Centre.

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.

The Summer Walk

Starting at the short stay car park in Gander lane, (GL20 5PG) meet by the red brick gate into the Abbey grounds at 7.00 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 10:00am also in Gander Lane short stay car park, generally on the first Sunday of the month. The walk may be subject to variations if there are any floods in Tewkesbury.

The Anniversary Walk

On the Bank Holiday Monday closest to May 4th, we host our commemorative walk. The event takes the form of an all day walk, starting at the site of the Yorkist camp at Tredington and returns to the battlefield and Tewkesbury along the route of the Yorkist advance. The walk covers the progress of the battle, includes a discussion on tactics and weapons. Following a break for lunch, the afternoon consists of a tour of the battle burials within the Abbey and access into the living history event Armour at the Abbey. There is a charge for this event. Full details available early in the year and published on this site.

2024

The Anniversary Walk for 2024 will be held on Sunday 5th May as part of our conference weekend. The intention is to meet in Tewkesbury for 9.00am  where we will transport you out to Tredington, the site of the Yorkist overnight camp and walk the route of their advance back onto the battlefield in Tewkesbury. We will pause for refreshments at Gupshill Manor Inn ( there at the time of the battle) before walking back through the Yorkist and Lancastrian lines and back into the Abbey grounds. The cost for the battlefield morning is £15 per person which includes transport to Tredington and refreshment at Gupshill. To book a place please see our dedicated conference page.

The Festival Walks

These are a shortened version of our regular walks run on both days of the Medieval Festival in July.  They start around 11:30am (Please listen for announcements). Beginning at the public information tent . They last  approximately 1 hour and looks 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 battle re-enactors.

Self Guided Walks

The waymarked trail pamphlet is available from the Tourist Information Centre in Church St Tewkesbury. Alternatively, join us for a guided tour of the site of the Battle of Tewkesbury, brought to you by our purpose-built app based on our popular regular walks. We'll take you along the route of the Battlefield Trail, with a couple of optional extensions to take you to places we would go on a guided walk, with stops by all the interpretation panels to bring you our insights into the events and people instrumental in this decisive clash between the houses of York and Lancaster. The fields can sometimes be muddy, so we would recommend stout shoes, but the route is not taxing and is suitable for most. Unfortunately, there are some stiles along the route that make it unsuitable for the less mobile. For those who would like a walk more tailored to their requirements, please contact the Society direct to discuss possible arrangements.

Enjoy a step back in time to Saturday 4 May 1471….