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 2022
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 2:00pm 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.
Battle trail walk Feb 2011
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.
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….
Events
Tewkesbury Battlefield Society 550th (and a bit) Conference - 6 May 2023
The Tewkesbury Battlefield Society committee are pleased to announce that our rescheduled conference to mark the 550th anniversary of the Battle will finally take place on Saturday 6 May 2023. We've resisted the temptation to move the event on line and instead to wait for COVID restrictions to lift so that we could come together in person to mingle, and combine the conference itself with a Battlefield walk the following day for anyone who has not seen it up close or who would like to revisit it in the company of fellow battlefield enthusiasts. The conference will take place in the Watson Hall, in the heart of Tewkesbury, and will comprise presentations and discussions on the Battle and aspects of battlefield preservation and interpretation from both Society members and guest speakers. The space available in the Hall will also allow us to invite related organisations to mount stands. Thanks to a generous donation from the Town Council to cover the venue hire, we aim to make this an affordable and interesting day that will attract attendees from far and wide. Full details, including booking arrangements, will appear on the Society website later this year; in the meantime, save the date!
Past events….
Saturday 21st March 2020. The Mercia Region of the Battlefields Trust are hosting a study in Warwick. The title for the day is "The Earls of Warwick and Battle" The day consists of several speakers and a visit to St Mary's church Warwick to see Richard Beauchamp's tomb. Full details can be found at battlefieldstrust.com If there is enough interest in the day we will meet in Tewkesbury to arrange transport for the day. Please contact us if you require further details.
Sunday 26th April 2020. Our chair Steve Goodchild will be hosting a walk from Queen Margaret’s Camp to Treddington and return. Its approximately 4 miles over open country and while not a guided walk there will be the opportunity to discuss all things "Wars of the Roses" Exact timings will be published closer to the day.
Saturday 2nd May 2020. Anniversary Walk. This will be an all day event. We will meet at the Abbey in Tewkesbury for 9:00am and be transported to Treddington, site of the Yorkist camp on the eve of the battle. From there our battlefield guides will walk you back towards Tewkesbury along the line of the Yorkist advance on the day. Coffee will be provided at The Gupshill Manor, before making our way onto the battlefield to view both front lines and the scene of Beauforts ambush. A short break for lunch will be taken at the Abbey before entrance into "Armour at the Abbey" a living history event staged by Tewkesbury Medieval Festival Society" There will be a charge for the day and full details will be published here in the new year
Saturday 13th June 2020. Lauren Johnson, acclaimed historian and author will be coming to Tewkesbury to give a talk on her latest book "Shadow King" concerning the life of Henry VI, who's son Edward, killed at the battle of Tewkesbury and is buried at the Abbey. Full details of times and where to get tickets will appear here in the new year.
Saturday and Sunday 11th/12th July 2020 Tewkesbury Medieval Festival. The society will be running shortened guided walks of the battlefield all day and our stand in the main tent will be open.