Tewkesbury Nature Reserve is located only a few hundred yards from the historic centre of Tewkesbury, and a mile from the M5 motorway (junction 9).
The reserve is situated on a floodplain and occupies 44 hectares (108.7 acres) of land. It is bordered by the A38 Tewkesbury Bypass and the Stonehills and Priors Park residential estates. The central Ordnance Survey grid reference for visiting the site is SO 898 318. Access to the reserve and the car park is FREE year round.
As the reserve is a floodplain, please be aware that the conditions in the winter months can be wet and muddy, and at times inaccessible following periods of heavy rain. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear and keep an eye on local weather reports before visiting. We try to keep our social media up to date with the current reserve conditions. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Entrance points for visiting the reserve:
In total, there are 14 different pedestrian entrance points to the reserve. The map below shows the access locations, including the What3Words Standardisation (available to download from the attached PDF document). The main entrance is the Tewkesbury Nature Reserve Car Park, number four on the map. This car park has bike racks installed for those who are cycling to visit the reserve. (The reserve does not take any liability for damaged or stolen bicycles or vehicles).
There are several gates across the reserve, these can all be opened with a Radar key. Please be aware the central pedestrian bridge on the reserve (closest to the car park) has a restricted width of 0.76 metres. The southern bridge has a width of 1.5 metres, and the northern bridge is in excess of 2 metres wide.
Site Map
Open the PDF link below to view the map key and/or to download or print the reserve map:
Transport information for visiting the reserve:
There are three main bus stops that are placed near entrances to the reserve. On the A38 Tewkesbury Bypass the Vine Way Path Stop places you at the south entrance to the reserve. River Swilgate Stop, also on the A38 Tewkesbury Bypass, places you at the Compost Corner entrance. The Morrisons stop places you at the north end of the reserve on the A438.
Please see below the various buses that travel past the reserve and links to timetables.
Vine Way Path/River Swilgate Buses:
Cheltenham – Tewkesbury : 42, 43, 43A
Gloucester – Tewkesbury : 71
Bishops Cleeve – Tewkesbury: T
Morrisons Buses:
Cheltenham – Tewkesbury: 41, 42, 43A
Gloucester – Tewkesbury : 71
Bishops Cleeve – Tewkesbury : T
The primary car park for the reserve is located just off the A38 Tewkesbury Bypass (What3Words: ///triathlon.dragon.kitten). This car park is free year round, but we do welcome online donations to help support the maintenance of the reserve. Please be aware there is a barrier with a height of 2.1 metres to enter the car park.
Please note that if you are following Google Maps instructions to get to ‘Tewkesbury Nature Reserve’, you will be taken to an alternative entrance off of Queens Road in Priors Park. Searching ‘Tewkesbury Nature Reserve Car Park’ on Google Maps will take you to the primary car park.
The local train station is called Ashchurch for Tewkesbury, and is located 2 miles east from the reserve. The 41 and the 71 bus can take you to the north end of the reserve to the Morrisons stop, this journey is approximately 20 minutes.
If you are cycling, there is a cycle path between Ashchurch station and reserve. It is approximately a 10 minute cycle. Additionally, the cycle path continues for the whole stretch of the A38 bypass that surrounds the reserve.
There is no taxi rank at Ashchurch station. Local taxi companies are available if booking in advance.
Alternatively, a walk from the station to the reserve would take in the region of 45 to 50 minutes for the average paced walker.
Facilities
When you are planning your visit, please be aware there are no facilities on the reserve (both toilets or catering). The Wheatpieces is a family-friendly pub and restaurant located opposite the car park entrance which has accessible facilities. Morrisons, at the north of the reserve, has accessible toilets and café facilities. Alternatively, there are numerous coffee shops, restaurants, and public houses in Tewkesbury town centre, only a 10 minute walk from the Link Road access point.
If you have any questions or concerns about access to the reserve, please contact us at access@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk, or head to our Contact Us page and fill in the contact form.
