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Tamworth Tourist Information


The Staffordshire town of Tamworth has a beautiful historic town centre. It is situated on the River Tame, 14 miles northeast of Birmingham.

When Birmingham was still a mere village, Tamworth was a thriving town. It was the capital of Mercia, which was the largest kingdom in England in the late 8th century, during the reign of King Offa. Tamworth became the target for invading Danes who sacked the town and it remained in ruins until the daughter of King Alfred the Great rebuilt it with a defensive burh in 918 AD.

In the 11th century Tamworth was fortified with the building of a Norman Castle which still stands today. Tamworth Castle was besieged by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War and managed to evade the orders that it should be destroyed afterwards.

The town of Tamworth was granted a charter in 1337 but in 1345 once again the town was destroyed, this time by fire.

Robert Peel, founder of the modern day police force, was Tamworth's MP for 20 years and lived at Drayton Manor. His 1834 Tamworth Manifesto was the start of the modern Conservative Party and he served twice as the British Prime Minister.

Tamworth was well known for its small engineering, tile and paper manufacturing and it was where Reliant produced their Scimitar sports car and the three-wheeler Reliant Robin vehicles. The production moved to Cannock in 1998 but the new housing estate, Scimitar Park, retains many names from this historic works.


Present Day Tamworth

Modern-day Tamworth is a sizeable market town of around 75,000 residents. It has a mixture of old redbrick cottages, council estates and newer housing.

The town centre has plenty of shops, banks and local services along with pubs and restaurants.

It has two major bridges across its local rivers. The Lady Bridge or St Mary's Bridge crosses the Tame River and the Bole Bridge crosses the Anker River. The town is surrounded by water meadows scattered with buildings from former corn mills, calico print works and woollen manufacturing.


Things to do in Tamworth

Tamworth's main attraction is Tamworth Castle, a well-preserved motte and bailey castle. It is a popular place to visit with its four historic cannons.

Those who enjoy walking and nature spotting will enjoy Tamworth's two local nature reserves at Hodle Lane and Kettlebrook.

Visitors can enjoy winters ports at any time of year at the Snowdome, which has the UK's first indoor ski slope.

Drayton Manor Theme Park is a popular family attraction at Tamworth which is known for its thrill rides in the 280 acre leisure park.

One of Tamworth's most famous residents is celebrated with a monument in the town centre. Able Seaman Colin Grazier risked his life to secure the Enigma code from a captured German U-boat. He was posthumously awarded the George Cross.

Another famous Tamworth resident was MP Thomas Guy who built the lovely Town Hall in 1701 and founded Guy's Hospital in London.

In more recent times, Tamworth local Tony Coton was goalkeeper for Manchester City F.C.

 

Directions
Show map of Tamworth...


Attractions near Tamworth
Tamworth Castle (1 Mile)*
Tamworth Castle is the number one heritage attraction located in the town centre of Tamworth. A visit to Tamworth Castle any time day or night is packed full of fun, mystery and adventure.
Drayton Manor Theme Park (1 Mile)*
For total family entertainment visit the award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire.
SnowDome (3 Miles)*
The SnowDome in Tamworth is the ultimate snow, ice and leisure experience. Whether it's a fun packed day on the snow, a family outing on the ice or a dip in the swimming pool, the SnowDome provides fun for all!
more attractions in Tamworth and things to do in Tamworth ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

What's near Tamworth

Attractions:
  Tamworth Castle  1 Mile
  Drayton Manor Theme Park  1 Mile
  SnowDome  3 Miles
more attractions in Tamworth...
 
Towns:
  Fazeley  1 Mile
  Glascote  1 Mile
  Wilnecote  1 Mile
more towns near Tamworth...
 
Estate Agents:
  Acres Estate Agents  1 Mile
  Bairstow Eves Central  1 Mile
  Dixons  1 Mile
Hotels:
  Premier Inn Tamworth Central  1 Mile
  Castle Hotel  1 Mile
  Holiday Inn Express Tamworth  1 Mile
more hotels in Tamworth area...
 
Bed and Breakfast:
  The Chestnuts  4 Miles
  The Railway Guest House  6 Miles
more bed and breakfasts near Tamworth...
 
Self Catering:
  Highview at Cavershamplace  7 Miles
  Castle Green  7 Miles
  Manor House Rural Retreats  7 Miles
more self catering near Tamworth...
 
Campsites:
  West Midlands Water Ski Centre  2 Miles
  Somers Wood Caravan Park  12 Miles
  Silver Trees Caravan park  15 Miles
TIC: Tamworth Tourist Information Centre     Tel: 01827 709581  1 Mile



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Towns near Tamworth
Fazeley Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Glascote Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
Wilnecote Tourist Information (1 Mile)*
more towns near Tamworth...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Hotels near Tamworth
Gungate Hotel (2 Miles)*
This beautifully restored, Victorian hotel and coach house annex is situated within 5 minutes' walk of the town centre, on the best side of town.
Brook Marston Farm Hotel (4 Miles)*
The building, originally a 17th Century farmhouse, is situated in 9 acres of countryside and is 2 miles from the Belfry. The hotel is 7 miles from the NEC and 2 miles from the M6 toll road. The property borders Birmingham/Frazeley Canal
Lea Marston Hotel (5 Miles)*
Set in 54 acres of grounds, 10 minutes to the royal town of Sutton Coldfield, Lea Marston Hotel offers a spa, a golf course, an award-winning restaurant and a bar.
more Tamworth hotels (and nearby)...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Self Catering near Tamworth
Castle Green (7 Miles)*
These superb detached bungalows are situated in an attractive rural location, yet it is only an easy 15 minutes drive to the National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham and Coventry.
Excellence Afloat at Valley Cruises (9 Miles)*
Self catering accommodation with a difference - luxury canal boats for holiday hire to cruise to the many tourist attractions in the Heart of the Midlands. A small, family run company offering the highest standards of service.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more self catering near Tamworth ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

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