Tours

Step into 900 years of history, beauty, and storytelling with one of our expert guides. Whether you have an hour or an afternoon, our tours bring the Abbey and its stories to life

Our public tour season is available to book now. Pre-booked group tours are available on request. Private Tower Tours may be available on request for groups of five or more – subject to availability and suitable weather conditions.

Tower & Hidden Spaces Tours

Climb to the top of Tewkesbury Abbey’s magnificent Norman tower and discover one of the most breathtaking views in the county. Enjoy a fascinating guided journey through ancient staircases and centuries of history before stepping onto the rooftop for spectacular 360° views across the medieval town, the Severn Vale, the Malvern Hills, the Cotswolds and, on a clear day, the Black Mountains of Wales.

During the peregrine falcon nesting season (April to July), this tour will not ascend to the exterior summit of the tower, but instead substitute with access to the Nave roof and additional hidden spaces.

Full Tower Tours will restart from 2nd August.

Children over the age of 8 may go on a tower tour, 8-16 years olds must be accompanied by an adult (one adult to one child). More information on tower tours is below as these may not be suitable for everyone.

Tickets are available online up to 9am on the day of the tour and then available to purchase at the Abbey welcome desk on the day (subject to availability): Buy Tower Tour Tickets online – Tewkesbury Abbey

£10 per person (booking fee applies for online transactions).

Please note that when in extreme weather (wind, rain and sun) the tower summit is inaccessible and a hidden spaces tour will be run instead. There is no tower tour on 1, 6 and 26 August.

60 minute Highlight Tours

A perfect introduction for first-time visitors. Explore the Abbey’s most remarkable features, from the soaring Norman architecture to medieval stained glass and hidden treasures.

Tickets available online – book tour tickets.

£7.00 per person – under 16’s free – (booking fee applies for online transactions).

Please note there are no Highlight tours on 1,6,5,8,9,15 August.

Tombs, Trees and Tributes Tour

Take in the wonderful grounds of the Abbey of a summer afternoon and join us for a tour of the Abbey’s trees, tombs and tributes. From ancient yews to memorials and remarkable tombs, this outdoor tour uncovers layers of history in the churchyard.

Saturdays at 4:00pm and Thursdays at 5:00pm, Thursday tours must be pre-booked as the Abbey and welcome desk will be closed at this time.

No tours on 1,6, 8 August and 12 September.

Tickets

Tours start at the main entrance of the Abbey, meet by the welcome desk. Our tours are suitable for all ages.

Book tour tickets online.

They also be purchased on the day from the welcome desk in the Abbey, subject to availability (under 16’s free, except for Hidden Spaces and Tower Tours where a standard charge applies).

Pre-booked Group Tours

Our 90 minute Abbey Tour is available for pre-booked groups. Perfect for coach parties, societies, schools, or family gatherings.

Flexible times available — please contact us to arrange: info@tewkesburyabbey.org.uk.

£8.00 per person.

*As we are a working and active Parish Church, sometimes we have to cancel tours. Please check in advance to avoid any disappointment.

Tower & Hidden Spaces Tours – Important Information

• Children over the age of 8 may go on a tower tour 8-16 years olds must be accompanied by an adult on 1:1 ratio
• Meeting point for Hidden Spaces Tours – by the welcome desk in the entrance to the Abbey.
• Meeting point for Tower Tours – by the bell tower steps to the left of the main entrance.

Practicalities
There are over 200 steps to the top of the tower and then you have to come back down. Therefore this tour may not suitable for those who are elderly, infirm, disabled, pregnant, suffering from heart or respiratory disorders or from any other medical conditions which could be affected by the climb. It is your decision about whether the tour is suitable for you. The tour will proceed at the speed of the slowest person and there will be one short pause en-route. It is advisable that flat sensible shoes be worn on the tour as there are narrow spiral staircases with narrow treads and uneven floors. The tour will travel though areas with low level lighting which are narrow therefore anyone suffering from severe claustrophobia may wish to consider this before joining a tour. If you have any questions or worries about the tour please speak to a guide before you leave ground level.