Wednesday 15 May 2019

Road Tripping - The Medieval Streets of Tewkesbury


A few years ago we traded at a festival held on the riverbank opposite Tewkesbury Abbey (HERE) and said that we'd have to cross the river and explore the town but never got round to it, that's until a friend shared a photo on Instagram of an amazing trompe l'oeil decorated door. That was just the push I needed, I can resist anything but a fancy doorway so today, we finally went to Tewkesbury.


 Situated in the county of Gloucestershire in the gorgeous area known as the Cotswolds, the Medieval town of Tewkesbury is just an hour's drive from Walsall (I know, it's so close, why on earth hadn't we been before?) The town stands on the confluence of the Rivers Severn and Avon and the name comes from Theoc, a Saxon who founded a hermitage here in the 7th Century. The Battle of Tewkesbury, on 4th May 1471 was one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. 


Tewkesbury is crammed with fine Tudor buildings and is deservedly popular with tourists.


The Wheatsheaf (above) was built in 1500 and was used as a pub until 1956.


The age of this old inn (now a hairdressers) speaks for itself.





The Ancient Grudge Inn (now an estate agent) was built in 1471, the name refers to the enmity between the houses of York & Lancaster, the cause of the Battle of Tewkesbury.


Tewkesbury is famed for these little alleyways. They're all so enticing.



The tourist information centre is situated in a building built in 1694. The beadle's hat suspended from the first floor is a leftover from when the building was used as a hat shop.


Oh dear, my underskirt's showing - the shame!



A relic from the War of the Roses?




Historic inn, the Royal Hop Pole is now run by Wetherspoons and was mentioned by Charles Dickens in the Pickwick Papers. When the new owners were refurbishing it they uncovered the remains of a previously forgotten Medieval dining hall.


It would have been rude not to partake in a spot of lunch and a beer or two in the sunshine (lager shandy for the driver). 







Planting inspiration - I need a whopping great clump of Irises outside Stonecroft.


Built in Norman times, Tewkesbury Abbey is the town's major claim to fame. Originally part of a monastery, it was saved from Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries after being bought by the townspeople for the price of the lead on the roof.  The church has the tallest Norman tower still in existence.





I'm fascinated by these remembrance plaques. The one on the left honoured a 34 year-old man who'd drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of Ceylon in 1806.




WEARING: Vintage 70s Mexican cotton dress (birthday present from Curtise, 2016), Lotta, Stockholm clogs and a 1970s straw bag by Dolcis (charity shopped last week)





Replay Vintage was lovely, the owner greeted us with a smile and the prices were very reasonable. Did we buy anything? No! We'd already found loads of vintage treasure in Tewkesbury's charity shops.  From Edwardian granddad shirts, groovy dagger collar shirts, a reworked sari with bastard massive sleeves & a 1970s sailor collar raincoat to some incredible cotton dresses including an orange maxi with sleeves so good I nearly passed out when I found it! 


Historic buildings, brilliant charity shops and a posh 'Spoons. I think we need to visit more often!

Thanks for the well wishes, Gilbert didn't pass his MOT (luckily we've got more than one vehicle) but the bits that need doing aren't too complicated, Jon should have him fixed for his retest on Friday....I'll keep you posted.

Linking to Patti & the gang for Visible Monday.

52 comments:

  1. Oh poor Gilbert! Thank God, you have a handy mechanic at your side...

    I have long wanted to visit Tewkesbury and it looks fab. OH loves medieval buildings, and I love the little alleyways that lead you to other lovely places. We must go.

    I loved your summer blue maxi and clogs; and what a wonderful haul of items! I've still to find a genuine 1970s maxi in my size on my meanderings, but I live in hope...

    Have a great weekend.
    xxxx

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    1. Jon was never a mechanic until he started collecting VWs - he amazes me with his tinkering.
      Tewkesbury is well worth a visit, there's loads on in the next few months including a famous Medieval fair which everyone says is incredible - I bet it clashes with the festivals though. xxx

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  2. Poor Gilbert is having a rough time of it..or rather Jon is, fingers crossed for next time.
    Tewkesbury looks lovely, I love those wonky oak framed buildings, it always amazes me how they keep standing.
    The colour of your dress is very eye catching, I love that colour and it suits you, perfect for a sunny day.
    You found loads of fab clothes, it sounds like a perfect day altogether. xxx

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    1. I know, poor old Gilbert (and Jon). He's all fixed now though, Jon's working on Ebbie, another of our VWs! xxx

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  3. Looks lovely at Tewkesbury.
    I'm going to divide my irises this year. I can send you some lovely white ones with a bit of yellow on them. They sort of glow at twilight. An old variety I don't know the name. My neighbour gave them to me and I LOVE them.

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    1. It is lovely, I can't believe I've never been before. I'd love a couple of your irises if you've got any going. So kind of you. xxx

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    2. I'll dig them up late summer, will send you some then
      T
      xx

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  4. It's great that you got the chance to see Tewkesbury Abbey this time. The medieval streets surrounding it look just as enchanting (I googled Tewkesbury Abbey and from what I seen, it really is such a beautiful and interesting historical Abbey). The name of that Inn from the eighteen century, the Ancient Grunge Inn make me laugh. What a name and what a history behind it. The historical building from 1694, the one in which the tourist information place/ office is located, looks great! It makes me think of Shakespeare instantly. It would make a great location for some film...and how interesting it also served as a hat shop. I do like historical locations, sites, buildings, cities, villages, locations...anything of the sort really. It is especially interesting to study the history of certain buildings and the changes that occurred with time.

    You look divine in that blue cotton maxi dress! Such a great look for such a lovely sunny day.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ivana! It really is a lovely place, I can't believe it's taken us so long to get there. xxx

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  5. What fun visiting Tewkesbury with you : ) Looks like you guys are experiencing some summer weather again.

    I'm traveling to Houston next week and like you I'll be checking out the thrift stores when I'm there looking for new inventory.

    Good thing you guys have another vehicle in the meantime.

    I can't believe you managed to find clogs that match your dress perfectly!

    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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    1. Good luck in Houston! I can't wait to see what magic you pick up.
      I hadn't worn those clogs with that dress before thinking it might be a bit mitchy-matchy but I quite liked dazzling the residents of Tewkesbury! xxx

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  6. Sending positive thoughts Gilbert's way. We know what it's like to have to wait on near-impossible-to-find parts! I am seriously envious of all the gorgeous places you get to visit -- so close to home!

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    1. Aren't we lucky to have that lovely place practically on our doorstep?
      Vintage cars are fab but when they need parts it's a right royal pain, isn't it? xx

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  7. Tewkesbury looks amazing! What a bunch of fun things you found in the thrift shops too - that orange dress rings my bells!

    Love your turquoise from top to toe, Vix! Just lovely. Us Klassy ladies always have our slips showing, eh?

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  9. such a picturesque town!
    thank you for taking us with you!
    the turquoise dress is a stunner - and you have the perfect clogs for it - showing the lace of the underskirt is a "must have" i thought..... ;-)
    xxxxx

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    1. That's it, I'm setting a trend by showing my slip! xxx

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  10. I've never been to Tewkesbury, but must put it on our list of places to visit, as it looks amazing. Plus, a 'Spoons AND decent charity shops! It's a winner. The abbey looks gorgeous, and that trompe l'oeil door is very convincing. Love your sky blue maxi (even with your underskirt showing) and how fab is that orange maxi! Keeping my fingers crossed for Gilbert's MOT on Friday! xxx

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    1. Jon and I were wondering if you and Jos had been to Tewkesbury and thought you must have done, you've seen more of the UK than we have. You'd absolutely love it, not unlike Shrewsbury but the charity shops were better and the people friendlier. xxx

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  11. Tewkesbury looks an amazing place, the buildings, the literary references (love the Dickens quote in a plaque) and the Norman Abbey makes it really interesting. Thanks for taking us for a walk through your pictures and comments!
    You look gorgeous in this blue maxi!. I love the picture of you posing beside the door, and what a fab door!
    Sorry that poor Gilbert need more work to be fully operational. Hope he'll be in the road asap!
    besos

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    1. Thanks, Monica! Gilbert lives to see another journey! Hooray!
      Tewkesbury is gorgeous and the chazzas were fab. My ideal town. xxx

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  12. Tewkesbury looks like a spot to definitely visit! Love the colour of that dress you are wearing - and that short crop top found is so definitely you! Sorry about Gilbert...I am sure it will be sorted shortly and life may resume as normal.

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    1. If only that crop top wasn't an XL....sob!!
      Tewkesbury is gorgeous, well worth a visit if you ever fancy a trip to the UK. xxx

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  13. YOUR MEXICAN DRESS! You don't really want that right? Surely you want MEEEEE to have it!!!!

    Tewkesbury sounds marvellous! I would love to visit there!x

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    1. Brilliant 50th Birthday pressie, wasn't it? Much better than a party! xxx

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  14. Poor Gilbert. I suppose we all start to fall apart a bit as we get older. I hope that he gets his MOT this time round. Tewkesbury is such a gorgeous place. I really want to go there now and wander up the little lanes. We have them back home in Edinburgh but they are called a "close". The Old Town is full of them and sometimes they open out onto surprising squares and gardens. Good on the people to save their church. Henry VIII was a bit if a twat really. Your dress is beautiful and you have amazing luck in the chazzas. Are you going to keep the orange one? Fingers crossed for Gilbert. Xx

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    1. I'd love to visit Edinburgh.
      Tewkesbury really was gorgeous and so friendly, too. We'll definitely return.
      Gilbert's all sorted now, Jon's tinkering with another of his VWs now. x

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  15. That dress is fab. It looks so feminine and flattering. Tewkesbury isn't a place I have visited but it looks amazing.

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    1. Thanks, Cherie. Tewkesbury is well worth a visit, I love the Cotswolds! x

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  18. Love that orange maxi i am currently in IStanbul, thought it would be heaving with kaftans but there is nothing at all but carpets!

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    1. Lucky you! I'd love to see the Blue Mosque. xxx

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  20. I love that you travelled to see a door! I totally get it! I’d probably walk straight into it – haha.
    The Tudor buildings are so beautiful, I really want to go to England now. X

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    1. I love a door - possibly too much! It's a great place to visit, living history. x

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    2. Hi Vix, I posted this comment. Not sure why it says 'Unknown'??

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  21. Another one to add to the list it looks gorgeous! Fingers crossed for Gilbert's re-test. x

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    1. He passed!! Thank you. Highly recommend Tewkesbury, we loved it. So much to see. x

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  22. Tewksbury certainly looks such an interesting place to visit. I remember being fascinated by the half timber buildings on my trips to the UK way back. The painted door is just stunning, aren't people clever. You certainly did find some interesting stock but then you always seem to. Good luck with Gilbert.

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    1. Thanks, Jill! I was transfixed by that door which they apparently redecorate according to the season. x

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  23. Tewksbury looks like a lovely place for a visit. It's so cool to see historical buildings still standing and being repurposed, especially ones from the 1500's! We tend to demolish anything that's over a couple of hundred years old. I saw that amazing orange maxi with the "skirt sleeves" on your IG. Sorry to hear about Gilbert - I wish him all the luck on the next test.

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    1. I know, it's quite mind blowing to think 600 year old buildings are still in use! xxx

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  24. Miss Vix, I discovered your blog after a life-changing injury in 2013. Today, as on that first day, your colorful, exciting and self-reliant life is a joy to see.
    (Also, with respect for the rainbow, you look smashing in white. : )

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    1. Hello Elizabeth! What a pleasure it is to meet you. I can't tell you how thrilled I am with your kind comment and I'm so happy that my blog helped you through what must have been dark days for you. Much love, Vix xxx

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  25. Well Tewkesbury looks like a beautiful place to visit. But how can you ever return having had your underskirts on display like that! ;-)
    xx

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Lots of love, Vix