What to see and do in Tetbury
In Tetbury itself, the parish church of St Marys' is the unmissable must-see on any visit, its spire easily visible as you approach the town. It is tall and light and one of the country's earliest and best examples of Georgian Gothic churches. It is also the home of the Tetbury Music Festival each October, when we are grateful for the generous 400-seat capacity and the immaculate acoustics.
The ceiling is supported by the skinniest of elegant columns while two weighty looking candelabra, each with 36 candles, appear to float, incredibly, beneath it. All our concerts take place in the golden glow of candlelight in these sublime surroundings; as good as any concert hall, BBC Radio 3 have recorded many of the Festival's concerts here over the years.
Tetbury is a stone's throw from Highgrove, the private residence of HRH The Prince of Wales, who is our Festival Patron, and The Duchess of Cornwall. Its organic gardens are open to the public from April to October, and are a wonderful place to visit, as is Westonbirt Arboretum, also just up the road.
Much of the historic wealth of Tetbury, and consequently the plethora of fine stone buildings, was derived from the wool trade, and a springtime visit to the town would ideally coincide with the spectacle of the Woolsack Races in May when the whole town has a festival feel. Thought to have originated in the 17th century when young drovers would show off to local women by running up the hills carrying a heavy fully-stuffed woolsack on their back, the modern sacks weigh 60lbs and are carried over a 240 yard course by highly competitive members of local rugby and sports clubs as well as international competitors. If you've heard of the famous cheese rolling race in the Cotswolds, this is the other Cotswold race to see.
Where to shop in Tetbury
Tetbury is still renowned for its selection of antiques and interiors shops along the handsome stretch of Long Street, despite so much commerce now taking place online. My well-trodden route takes in the splendour and imagination of Brownrigg and Lorfords, through modernist and sculptural glamour at Gallery B.R and mid-century Muir, to the pretty painted pieces at Amy Perry and modern classics and accessories at Treacle George. Tetbury really is an interior design heaven and never fails to give me new ideas for layering and how to best mix new and old.
I then head off to the independently owned and tardis-like Yellow-Lighted Bookshop to stock up on weekend reading (and ideas to impress at my book group) then, over the road to browse and sometimes buy at Moloh, Caroline Smiley's iconic clothes boutique where everything is designed by her and her team in Tetbury, and manufactured in UK.
Where to eat in Tetbury
You can eat extremely well on a visit to Tetbury, at all times of day. Hobbs House Bakery has a prime location next to the church, much to the delight of our visiting performers who will nip out for a quick coffee and locally baked treat during rehearsals, as will I, possibly too often.
On the other side of the town the restored Tetbury Goods Shed, now a community and performing arts centre that hosts our lecture series, offers the Whistlestop Café; the coffee here is really good and the place is always busy with walkers and cyclists fuelling up before heading off on one of the surrounding nature trails. There are several restaurants in the heart of the town for a more expansive lunch, and recently opened in Long Street is the tapas restaurant Lola & Co, to rave reviews from local friends for its delicious Mediterranean fare and good atmosphere.
I have a very soft spot too for the Snooty Fox pub with its prime position in the centre of the town; always welcoming, it is a classic no-nonsense British hostelry, and they also fly our Tetbury Music Festival banner each September.
Where to stay in Tetbury
Tetbury has a lot to offer and is beautifully placed for visits further afield, so for a comfortable place to stay for a long weekend, I would look at Calcot Manor & Spa (the epitome of Cotswolds comfort), Whatley Manor (for a more international vibe), the Hare & Hounds (straightforward and comfortable) and The Close Hotel (bang in the middle of Tetbury).
Finally, before you return home, pop into Scentiments, the delightful flower shop by the market house, to see Jo and grab a bunch of seasonal fresh flowers for a loved one.
To find out more about Tetbury Music Festival and the beautiful town of Tetbury, visit https://www.tetburymusicfestival.org/
Weller Design: wellerdesign.co.uk
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