More than just its rich medieval history, the market town of Tewkesbury is a hive of independent shops that are well worth the visit, with local businesses selling a wide range of quality wares.
SoGlos rounds up 15 of the best places to shop in town, whether it's for a last minute gift, furnishings for the home or simply to get your culture or foodie fix.
Jennings Handcrafted Oriental Rugs
Housed in period Tudor shop on Church Street, family business Jennings has been selling oriental rugs and carpets in town since 1960, with a huge array from across the eastern world available to browse, along with handmade furniture finished with kilim fabric.
Though it also sells its wares online, the shop is definitely worth the visit – and there's a magical atmosphere around Christmas when its windows are aglow with festive decor!
Church Street Gifts
Part of a 15th-century, Grade I-listed terrace on Church Street, there's all manor of gifts and keepsakes made by local craftspeople – including Tewkesbury mead and gin – to be found at Church Street Gifts.
From unusual items like map covered deckchairs to books on the Battle of Tewkesbury and gifts for gardeners, it's a great place to pick up a last minute present, with a range of cards and wrapping paper on offer, too.
Pretty Special
Curating affordable women's fashion with a focus on 'style, colour and comfort', Pretty Special is a great place to shop for new threads.
With jewellery, accessories and clothing from blowses and dresses to trousers, the shop on Church Street also has a range of festival clothing that's perfect for the summer season.
Abbey Galleries
Husband and wife-run Abbey Galleries displays and sells a variety of artworks made by creatives from across the south west as well as much further afield, each full of life and colour.
With at least 100 works from up to 35 different artists at any one time, it's a wonderful place to shop for art for your home or to give as gifts, also offering framing and opportunities to meet some of the guest artists when you visit, too.
The Spotty Dog Place
Another business that's fuelling Tewkesbury's creativity, The Spotty Dog Place offers a range of glass fusing, pottery and pottery painting classes where you can learn a variety of techniques – including some led by The Great Pottery Throw Down 2024 finalist, Dave Short.
Now on Barton Street following a recent move, it also sells unique handcrafted gifts – or why not give your loved ones the gift of creativity, by purchasing a voucher for one of its classes.
Cafe au Chocolat
An independent specialist atelier of its own chocolates, Café au Chocolat is a High Street gem, selling a host of award-winning products that also make great gifts.
Shop everything from chocolate dogs, cats and musical instruments, to bags, bars, truffles and hot chocolate, with a range of treats to be enjoyed in its cafe when you visit, too.
The Artisan Apiary
From children's clothing and haberdashery, to pampering and relaxation, things for pets and more, there's a gift for everyone to be found at The Artisan Apiary.
Located on the High Street, pick up wares made by local craftspeople along with Tewkesbury souvenirs or personalise clothing with its applique, iron-on or embroidery services.
Cornell Books
With 30,000 second-hand and antiquarian books spanning a range of fiction and non-fiction, family-run bookshop Cornell Books is one of the best places around for discovering rare gems.
Housed in another of Tewkesbury's Tudor buildings that was once an inn, it's a must-visit for history and book lovers – while there's also a collection of thousands of ordnance survey maps to browse, too.
Sweets and Treats
A traditional sweet shop selling everything from fudge and chocolate, to jellies and boiled sweets, chances are you won't be leaving Sweets and Treats on the High Street empty handed – with indulgent treats like ice cream and cannoli also on offer.
And there's more than just delights to eat to be found in store, with a range of toys and greetings cards that make a great gift pairing.
Tewkesbury Abbey Gift Shop
The gift shop at the town's biggest historical attraction, Tewkesbury Abbey is stacked with fun things to browse and buy, from locally made gifts and cards to Abbey souvenirs.
Shop things for the home like history-themed ornaments and crockery, chess sets, tankards and much more, along with local produce and gifts for children including teddy bears and wooden toys.
The Photo Studio
A one-stop-shop for all things photo printing and processing, The Photo Studio on the High Street is great for picking up canvases, posters and a range of personalised items for your home or to gift to loved ones.
There's everything from photo books and calendars, to mugs, mouse mats and greetings cards available to personalise with your own photos and there's a mount cutting service on site for your prints, too.
Tewkesbury Cards & Gifts
There's an eclectic mix of cards and gifts – from children's toys, to leather bags and things for the home – to be discovered at Tewkesbury Cards & Gifts on the High Street.
With scarves and jewellery, soaps, glassware, garden ornaments, local arts and crafts and much more, you're sure to find something in store to suit the occasion, whoever you're shopping for.
Alison's Bookshop and Musicroom
With two floors and seven rooms stacked with books for browsing, there's a great range updated daily with the latest titles at Alison's Bookshop and Musicroom on Tewkesbury High Street.
From fiction and poetry, to non-fiction and children's books, it also stocks jigsaws, gift stationery, greetings cards and wrapping paper, along with a wide range of sheet music, classical music CDs and some instrument essentials, too.
To Have and to Hold Records
Tewkesbury's part in the worldwide vinyl resurgence, independent record store To Have and to Hold Records on Church Street is the place to go in town to get your music fix.
With a great selection of new and used LPs along with singles and CDs spanning a range of genres, you can also pick up music merch like books, mugs and more in-store.
Tourist Information & Heritage Centre gift shop
Along with insight into local history and info about the best things to do in the area, there's a great selection of gifts on offer at Tewkesbury's Tourist Information & Heritage Centre on Church Street.
Browse Tewkesbury-made mustards, jams and chutneys; handmade gifts including jewellery and pottery; books and maps of the local area; and a range of souvenirs with Tewkesbury connections, such as reproductions of War of the Roses artifacts.
