Sink into a blissfully slow pace of life in honey-dipped Tetbury. A charming town in the Cotwolds that boasts winding streets, bustling boutiques, and a tapestry of rich history, a heavenly sojourn here promises a dose of tranquillity at every turn. Tetbury is the second largest town in the Cotswolds, yet maintains a storybook olde-worlde atmosphere, laced with the blushing hues of wisteria and the idyllic allure of Cotswold stone.
Inviting a repose from everyday life, the town boasts a myriad of fascinating things to see and do during your stay, from country houses bedecked in decades of finery to luxurious spas that promise to soothe the soul and rejuvenate the body.
Inspired to wrap yourself up in a Cotswoldian adventure? Uncover an array of unique and magical things to do in Tetbury.
Go antiques shopping
Spend unhurried afternoons trailing the ancient streets of Tetbury and discover one of the best collections of antique shops in the Cotswolds. Trilogie Antique, a group of antique dealers and illustrious country furniture merchants who have come together in a grand period building, promises a truly bespoke experience, with pieces coming and going to ensure there’s always something new to catch your eye. For those seeking a blend of modern and old, local and French, head to Muir Antiques, or Alderson Antiques for a medley of 18th-century furniture you simply won’t be able to resist. An arcade of traders spread across several floors, Top Banana hosts all manner of curios, from retro prints and breathtaking oil paintings to time-loved books and vintage clothing. Fill your days exploring every street and winding path, perusing Tetbury’s antique shops as you go, before taking a moment of repose in one of the quaint cafés for a cup of something warming.
Stroll around The National Arboretum
A swathe of colour nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, Westonbirt Arboretum is a leaf-strewn haven that hits pause on the modern world outside. Span the world in a few steps as you pass 2,500 varieties of trees and shrubs during your visit, from towering oaks to beautiful blossoms. Every season boasts a breathtaking botanical display, from the budding delights of spring to autumn’s copper-kissed embrace. The arboretum welcomes four-legged friends and children, making the winding paths the perfect destination for a family-friendly day out in Tetbury. Join one of the guided walks for a unique look at the breath-taking displays, or opt for a self-led sensory walk and lose yourself in the natural world around you.
Enjoy a private tour of Highgrove House and Gardens
Home of His Majesty King Charles III, Highgrove House and Gardens has long been a beloved place to visit. Since His Majesty arrived at Highrove in 1980, the gardens have been transformed from a sparse kitchen garden and overgrown copse to an interwoven display of curated natural beauty. For a truly spellbinding experience, book one of the private tours for up to eight guests. You’ll be led around the lush gardens by an experienced guide, before enjoying either an afternoon tea or a glass of champagne in the Orchard Room Restaurant. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the sprawling gardens while delving into the artful curation and organic management that have made these tranquil Cotswolds gardens so special. The gardens open to the public on select dates between April and October, allowing you to embrace the vibrant joys of spring and summer in bloom.
Uncover the unchanged beauty of Chavenage House
There are many wondrous things to see and do in Tetbury, but few are so entrenched in the town’s history as Chavenage House. A honey-dipped Elizabethan manor house, this historic landmark has remained almost unchanged for 400 years, offering a truly untouched glimpse into the area’s vibrant past. The house began as the home of Princess Goda, sister to Edward the Confessor, before changing hands numerous times between Thomas Seymour, the Norman House of Fitz Stephen, and finally the Lowsley-Williams family. In recent years, this grand home has played a pivotal role in beloved film and television series, including the BBC’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Poldark. Today, you can visit the house and gardens to explore this spellbinding piece of history for yourself. There’s a deep sense of tranquillity across the grounds, while the elegant interiors boast a series of fascinating tapestries and artworks.
Trace Tetbury’s history on foot
Tetbury beckons for honeyed sojourns steeped in history, with every golden corner opening a new avenue of exploration. St Marys’ Church is a beautiful piece of cultural significance. The spire towers over the town, adding its instantly recognisable silhouette to the skyline, while vaulted interiors promise a tranquil space woven with stained glass and ancient pews. A cobblestone interlude for your dreamy explorations around Tetbury, the famous Chipping Steps are something of a hidden gem. Leading up from The Chipping car park, the cobbled steps wend past a row of tiered weavers’ cottages, crafting one of the most picturesque sights in the Cotswolds. For a truly unique experience in Tetbury, turn your attention to Gumstool Hill in May for a rather curious tradition. The Tetbury Woolsack Races have been running for centuries, and promise a jovial atmosphere as you watch competitors race up the steep hill with a woolsack on their backs.
Test your skills at the Beaufort Polo Club
Whether you’re an experienced rider looking to try something new or a complete beginner who simply loves the sport, the Polo Experience at Beaufort Polo Club is a wonderful way to delve deeper into this historic tradition. The package includes complete tuition, introducing you to the sport and the beautiful clubhouse, and a two-course light lunch, high tea, or picnic box, inviting you to make a day of it. You’re also encouraged to come and see the professionals play. A blend of skill, grace, and immaculate teamwork, nothing compares to watching the players and their steeds bolt and bound across the field. If you visit in June, you’ll be able to time your visit with the famous Beaufort International, a day of unmatched extravagance as you indulge in polo, picnics, and parties.
Experience The Goods Shed Arts Centre
A short, and oh-so-charming, stroll from the town centre lies the fascinating Tetbury Goods Shed Art Centre. Once a Victorian GWR building, this vibrant hub is a melange of creativity and music. Craft workshops are held in a Finnish railway carriage behind the main building, exhibitions feature, and once a week the centre becomes a cinema, inviting you to leave the world behind as you step through the silver screen into the latest Hollywood release or cult classic. Or, you can simply take a moment to savour the Whistle Stop Café. After all, creatives have long been amassing their inspiration over something soul-warming.
Hit pause at Calcot Manor Spa
Boasting a world-class spa, a relaxed dining experience, and sumptuous treatments to put you at ease, let the world melt away as you sink into a lavender-scented reverie at Calcot Manor Spa. A selection of spa days are on offer, from half-day and evening sessions to full-day escapes that promise heady treatments, a delicious two-course lunch, and full use of the spa’s spellbinding facilities, which include a heated indoor pool, fireside hot tub, and fully equipped gym and studio. For a truly decadent treat, book an afternoon tea alongside your visit. A delectable pastiche of favourites tempts the taste buds, from classic sandwiches to sublime sweets, all followed with a glass or two of something sparkling.
Step back in time at Tetbury Police Museum
Another unique place to visit in Tetbury is the town’s curious Police Museum and Courtroom, which finds its home in the original Victorian police station. A rolling exhibition showcases a fascinating melange of justicial curios, from photographs and cold case files to the largest collection of handcuffs in the UK. Moving up to the first floor, you’ll find the courtrooms, where life-size figures depict a court hearing in the 1940s. The museum is one of Tetbury’s most family-friendly attractions, with a series of games and workshops held to get children involved.
Browse the market stalls
Beneath the beloved Grade II Listed market house roof, you’ll find one of the jewels in Tetbury’s hand-wrought crown. Held twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the markets are a centuries-old tradition that fills the space with a bustling atmosphere you can’t help but get swept up in. In the week, stalls fill with farm-fresh veg, home-cooked pies, and freshly landed fish. When the weekend arrives, the market takes on a homely facade, whether you’re seeking a beautiful arrangement of flowers, a book to curl up by the fire with, or some darling handcrafted jewellery to remind you of your time in Tetbury.
Explore the grounds at Newark Park
One of the many beauty spots near Tetbury, Newark Park promises scenic walks at every verdant turn. The estate is run by the National Trust, with tiered gardens and rolling parkland crafting an enchanting setting for a stroll at any time of year. In the spring, wend through the sweet-scented avenues of the walled garden, or pause for a picnic by the lake as the summer sun rises in the sky. And in the autumn, when a blanket of gold-tipped copper covers the Cotswolds, the woodland glade turns into a fiery melody of burnished hues, inviting you to take a moment of serenity beneath the dappled canopy as gilded leaves gently fall to the floor. Carved animals and climbing apparatus make the woodland play area beloved by children, while the tea pavilion invites all to sit and soak up the idyllic setting while sipping something warm. The house itself is a tapestry of its former owners, with remnants marking it as a former hunting lodge and grand celebration house.
Feeling inspired? Uncover our collection of luxury cottages in the Cotswolds.
