We've improved the list of local attractions and days out!
It's easier to navigate through them and links to other websites, photos and blogs. If you've had a great day out in Tetbury, write about it on the Message Board.
 

Tetbury itself is a haven for antiques enthusiasts. With over 30 antique shops, the town centre has earned an international reputation. There are also many other specialist shops, selling a wide range of goods you might not expect to find on your typical high street. There are a great range of tea shops, public houses and hotels to visit, meaning you'll always be well refreshed if you come and stay!

At the centre of the town is the famous Market House, which appears to be built on stilts. The hall features the famous clock and dolphins, which have become Tetbury's emblem. Several of the shops have earned a royal warrant and almost all are independently and locally-owned. The town has a Police Museum (see below) and many scenic walks around the town. Functions take place at many of the hotels and at the Dolphins Hall, while the town's main church is an impressive addition to the town.

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Open to the public and owned by a local trust, Preston Park has brilliant views to the East of the town. The park runs alongside the Railway Yard path, and reaches out towards Long Newnton.

Ideal for short or long circular walks, the Park is popular with dog walkers, although a few animals (horses, occasionally cows) sometimes graze on the land. The Railway Yard also has picnic tables making it perfect for a day out. Plenty of car parking is available at the Tetbury end of the park at the Railway Yard Long-Stay car park.

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Based in the centre of Tetbury (63 Long Street), the Police Museum is a popular attraction, revealing all about the history of policing in Gloucestershire since 1839. Visit the cells, original police office and the old magistrates court upstairs for a realistic portrayal of policing through the ages.

Open from 10am - 3pm during the week, the museum also opens at other times by appointment, and hosts a number of open days. Entry is free.

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Built in the late 1700s, St Mary's Church boasts one of the highest church spires in Britain, and an impressive Georgian interior. Open to the public daily, one wing of the church hosts a small museum - the Tetbury Heritage Display - about the town's history from its earliest beginnings through many of the industrial changes that have affected the town. There is also a shop selling books and other items. Well worth a visit.

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The main event in Tetbury's calendar, Woolsack Day is a spectacular event attracting many visitors to the town. The central part of the day is the Woolsack Races themselves, where competitors race from the top of Gumstool Hill to the bottom - and then back again!

Winners could be in the running for an official world record. The day also features a busy town fete, with many attractions and stalls. Celebrities are often attracted to open the races. The event takes place on Whitsun Bank Holiday (at the end of May each year).

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A relatively recent addition to the Tetbury calendar, the Music Festival is held annually in early October, and attracts a wide range of performers to its concerts, most of which are held at St Mary's Church. The BBC have previously broadcast events from the festival and the standard of performances are always outstanding.

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Housed in Cirencester, the newly-refurbished museum showcases the Roman history of Cirencester and the local area. In Roman times, Cirencester was the second largest town in the British Isles, and there are many treasures that have been unearthed by archaeologists since.

The museum is open from 10am - 5pm Monday - Saturday and from 2pm - 5pm on Sundays. Entry costs £2 for children, £3.90 for adults and £2.90 for senior citizens. Group rates are also available. There is pay-and-display parking across Cirencester, but there are disabled parking bays outside the museum.

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There's a long history of Polo being played in the Cotswolds, both at Westonbirt and Cirencester. The Beaufort Polo Club play regularly at Westonbirt and the Cirencester Park Polo Club (the oldest in Britain) also host regular matches. Royals, including both Princes William and Harry are regularly seen spectating - and playing - at local Polo matches. Membership to Cirencester Park Polo Club costs from £23 per year, while membership to the Beaufort Polo Club costs from £60 per year. Both clubs admit non-members to many matches.

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One of the Cotswolds' most popular attractions, the National Arboretum is a fantastic 600 acre forest with many rare and unusual trees. The arboretum hosts regular events, such as fireworks displays, concerts, charity walks and night-time walks in the winter, with lighting showing you the way. 16,000 trees will amaze you as you walk along one of the many beautiful paths in the wood.

Westonbirt hosts the annual Festival of the Tree (see photos), as well as a Gardens festival, and is brilliant all year round. A recent addition to the calendar is a series of summer pop music concerts, which this year will include bands The Feeling and Travis. These events can cause quite lengthy traffic problems on the roads around Westonbirt and Tetbury, but road signs are placed to give advance warning.

You'll find the Arboretum around five miles from Tetbury on the A433, heading towards Bath. Entrance prices vary from season to season, although annual membership is available. Visit the arboretum's website for the latest prices.

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Fantastic panoramic views await, on top of the hills surrounding the Stroud valleys. On a clear day you can see for miles, with dog walking especially popular. Meander around the golf course, go for a picnic, or visit the picturesque town itself. Around 7 miles north-west of Tetbury (follow the signs towards Avening).

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Tetbury is famous for its local residents, the heirs to the throne. Princes Charles, William and Harry all live less than a mile away in their secluded home, where they spend a large amount of their time, although William and Harry spend less time in the Cotswolds now that they have joined the army. Still, the princes are often spotted in the town, and make official visits occasionally. Recently Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, turned on the town's Christmas lights.

Highgrove is not open to the public, although visits to the garden are sometimes made available to special organisations, and invitations are sometimes given out to the house's exclusive organic shop.

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More than 140 lakes form one of the most exciting natural attractions in the UK. Spread over 40 square miles between Cirencester and Lechlade, the Water Park is a great place for watersports, but also hosts many other activities.

Land-based activities include paintballing, cycling, golf, farm visits and angling, while on the water you can try canoeing, kayaking, diving, sailing, snorkelling, waterskiing and windsurfing, all on dedicated lakes.

A number of luxurious hotels, villas, spas and bed-and-breakfasts lie around the water park, particularly in the villages of South Cerney and Ashton Keynes.

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Flying and static displays of historic aircraft, Kemble is a popular event every Summer which often sees rare aeroplanes flying over Tetbury on their approach to the runway. The Red Arrows used to be based at Kemble and often return for dramatic one-off shows. This year's event takes place on June 17th.

The Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford is also close to Tetbury. This is a public air show, but is also one of the largest military events in the world, attracting buyers and sellers from far afield. The Fairford event is usually held in the third week of July.

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The premier equestrian event in Britain, Badminton is just a few miles from Tetbury, and the town can become very busy during the event. It takes place every May and is televised by the BBC. A human trial often takes place for charity, where people can attempt the fences without the aid of a horse.

The smaller, but also popular, Gatcombe Horse Trials, also take place between Tetbury and Minchinhampton.

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Many antiques fairs are hosted locally, in Tetbury and Westonbirt. The Market Hall in Tetbury plays host to regular events. Check out the events listings for the nearest dates.

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An historic Elizabethan house which is a favourite among film makers, including the BBC (Casualty, House of Eliott) and ITV (Cider With Rosie). Beautiful grounds and the building is open to the public. Personal tours available, guided by members of the family. Open May to September, Thursdays and Sundays, from 2pm to 5pm. Groups by appointment only. The house is also popular for weddings, conferences and other functions.

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Tetbury is not short of places to eat and drink. Within the town centre are the Priory Inn, Gumstool Inn, Close Hotel, Blue Zucchini Brasserie, The Coach and Horses, The Ormand at Tetbury, Snooty Fox, The Greyhound Inn, The Crown Inn and the Royal Oak.

Just outside of Tetbury is the Michelin-starred The Trouble House - rated amongst the best fifty pubs for food by the Independent. Also nearby is Calcot Manor.

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Malmesbury is a small, but popular town with many shops and elegant buildings. It has a playful rivalry with Tetbury, as they are of similar size, and are separated by the Gloucestershire-Wiltshire border. It is home to Dyson, the vacuum cleaner manufacturer, and was the birthplace of the philosopher Thomas Hobbes.

Cirencester is a larger shopping centre, with four supermarkets and a number of town centre shops. It is also home to Roman ruins and the Sundial Theatre. The villages around Cirencester are popular homes for celebrities escaping London, including Kate Winslet and Liz Hurley.

Stroud is a slightly larger town, with rail links to Bristol and London. It has a new cinema and bowling alley, although its town centre shops are perhaps not as good as Cirencester's.

Didmarton is a few miles from Tetbury, Avening has two very good public houses, while Nailsworth is a popular attraction and home to Conference football team Forest Green Rovers. Bath, Cheltenham and Bristol are under 40mins drive away.

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