Tewkesbury Abbey

Tewkesbury Abbey stands at the junction of the Severn and Avon and has been at the centre of the town since the twelfth century. The building is one of the largest Norman abbey churches to survive the Dissolution of the Monasteries, and the tower is widely regarded as the most impressive Norman tower in England. Inside, the nave is huge, the stained glass is medieval and the floor is covered with the tombs of earls and barons from the medieval period.

For families, the abbey is free to enter and has a children's trail available from the welcome desk. Young visitors collect a sticker on completing the route, which winds through different areas of the building and keeps small children moving. In the summer months there is also a Thursday afternoon storytime for children, held in St Margaret's Chapel at 2pm during the school holidays.

Tower tours are available from Easter and are open to children aged eight and over, with eight to sixteen year olds needing to be accompanied by an adult. Booking is recommended as numbers are limited. The Abbey Garden Cafe is in the grounds and serves hot food, cakes and drinks throughout the week.

The building is well maintained, accessible at ground level and calm enough for young children. The interior is extraordinary in scale, which tends to stop even impatient children in their tracks.

Good for: history, outdoors, rainy-day. Ages: 0–2, 3–4, 5–7, 8–11, 12+.