Winchcombe is over 1000 years old and was the capital of the old Saxon Kingdom of Mercia. The modern town is small and unspoilt and the beauty and the history of the area acts as a magnet to draw tourists from all over the world to amble along the narrow streets.

Wherever you go in the town, history is prominent. The town has is famous for Sudeley Castle, home to the last wife of Henry V111 and the ruined Winchcombe Abbey famous for a scam that involved a vial of blood reputed to be from Christ. Lttle remains of the Abbey which is administered by English Heritage.

The perpendicular church dedicated to St Peter and within the walls is a coffin said to contain the remains of St Kenelm. The narrow streets of the town are lined by an assortment of  buildings that twist and bulge into the street and many hide the true age of the building.

The Town Hall is home to the small but interesting museum and relates the day to day stories of Winchcombe folk and an unusual collection of police memorabilia from around the world.

Along the main street is the small Winchcombe Railway Museum and the visitor can see real steam at the GWR Railway at Toddington, a short car ride from Winchcombe.

The Neolithic burial chambers of Belas Knap can be seen on the surrounding hillside near Honeybee Woods and a roman villa can be found at Spoonley Woods on the Sudeley Estate.

Walkers are spoilt for choice with several long distance routes passing through the town including the 100 mile long Cotswold Way. 

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