Where to eat, drink, shop, visit and sleep in the Gloucestershire market town
DAYTIME
Tetbury Police Museum
Primarily dedicated to the history of the Gloucestershire Constabulary, this museum is housed in the town’s Victorian police station and courtroom on Long Street. Exhibits include the ‘world-renowned’ Alex Nichols Collection of Handcuffs and Restraints, while the first floor features a complete magistrates’ court set up as it would have been in the late 1940s or early 50s. tetburypolicemuseum.org.uk
Market House
The hub of the town, Tetbury’s distinctive Grade I-listed Market House was built by the Feoffees (trustees of estates of land) in 1655 for the sale of wool and yarn, and has housed markets for centuries. It still holds them twice a week – on Wednesdays and Saturdays – and the upstairs room often hosts craft fairs and art exhibitions. thefeoffeesoftetbury.co.uk/the-market-house
Chavenage House
A privately-owned Elizabeth manor house which has been used as a location for many TV and film productions, including Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Lark Rise to Candleford, and Poldark. Guided tours are provided by members of the family, including David and Caroline Lowsley-Williams, and are known for being friendly, informative and excellent value for money. chavenage.com
NIGHT TIME
Tetbury Goods Shed
A vibrant arts centre and cafe on the edge of the town, set in a converted Victorian Great Western Railway building. Popular in the daytime with cyclists and walkers, offerings include live music, cinema and exhibitions. Upcoming events include An Evening with Author and Print Maker Angela Harding on Wednesday, February 22. shed-arts.co.uk
The Close Hotel
Set on Long Street, this beautiful 16th-century townhouse features 19 contemporary, luxurious en-suite bedrooms individually designed by owner Pamela Horton; a welcoming bar and lounge area; the Garden Room Restaurant serving up seasonal menus with local produce; and – the pièce de résistance – the gorgeous walled garden at the rear. cotswold-inns-hotels.co.uk/the-close-hotel
The Royal Oak Tetbury
Set on Cirencester Road, this 18th-century free house features six lovely en-suite rooms – three of which are dog-friendly. The bar also welcomes canine visitors, and features a vintage jukebox (increasingly rare these days) and Art Deco piano. The luxurious Oak Lodge (from £180/night) has super-king bed, separate twin beds on a mezzanine, roll-top bath and wood-burning stove. Heaven. theroyaloaktetbury.co.uk
EATING
The Blue Zucchini Brasserie
An eclectic and quirky licensed cafe set centrally on the town’s Church Street. The globally-inspired menus include tagines, flatbread with hummus, burgers, avocado on sourdough toast with tomatoes... and we’re told the Persian cake comes highly recommended! Tel: 01666 505852. Instagram: @thebluezucchini
Quayles Cornerhouse
A deli, bar and bistro set on Long Street, right in the centre of town. Declared by Marco Pierre-White to be his ‘favourite restaurant in Gloucestershire’, the lunch menu includes Dorset snails, tiger prawns with homemade aioli, and chilled gazpacho, while evening offerings range from pork tenderloin to Provençal squid. quaylescornerhouse.com
The Snooty Fox
A popular bar and restaurant facing the town’s distinctive yellow Market House, offering coffee and cakes in the morning, laid-back lunches, and creatively-cooked evening menus. The bar features local ales and ciders as well as a good selection of wines, ports, cognacs and more. Oh, and don’t be put off by the name; you’ll get a warm, decidedly un-snooty welcome here. snooty-fox.co.uk
SHOP TIME
Yellow-Lighted Bookshop
A truly independent bookshop that positively encourages browsing and questions: owner Hereward often recounts some of this stranger ones in his monthly column for Cotswold Life. Often working with authors and local venues to put on events, they also do much work to support reading in Gloucestershire schools. yellowlightedbookshop.co.uk
Veloton
A bike shop with a difference! Set in the heart of Tetbury on the town’s Market Place, this is the place to go for expert cycling advice, with a top-notch maintenance and repair service, coupled with a brilliant coffee bar, serving excellent coffee and organic cakes. Shop for road bikes, leisure bikes, clothing and custom-builds. veloton.co.uk
Highgrove
Just minutes away from HM King Charles’ Gloucestershire residence Highgrove House is this dedicated shop on Tetbury’s Long Street. With a wide range of products, ranging from Highgrove Bouquet eau de parfum and leather luggage, to luxury foods and jewellery collections, all profits go towards the work of The Prince’s Foundation. highgrovegardens.com
