
The Black Bear
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Quick info
About The Black Bear
The Black Bear is a pub on High St in Tewkesbury, established in 1308 and restored over three years to the layout of its early 1400s building. Open fires burn inside, and the taps carry a real ale selection that includes the pub's own Black Bear ale. Food comes from visiting local businesses, so the options change from day to day. Guests order at the kitchen and collect their meals when the buzzer goes off. A Sunday roast is also on the menu. The pub runs a quiz in the evening, which gives regulars and visitors a reason to stay on after dinner. Dogs are welcome, so walkers can bring their companions along.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Paid parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom
- Good for kidsGood for kids
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, real ale selection, open fires and riverside beer garden.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, real ale selection, open fires and riverside beer garden.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast draws the most praise, with reviewers describing roast pork in large portions and a side of cauliflower cheese singled out. Close behind is the beer, where diners mention a good selection of real ale taps, Old Hooky described as caramelly, and the pub's own Black Bear ale. Other plates named include a steak cut in strips with chips and a salad bowl, beef brisket and lemon-garlic chicken. The large garden gets repeated mentions, along with the open fires, the big screen for the World Cup and the pub quiz. Criticism is scattered but specific. One reviewer found the staff short on eye contact and welcome, another was disappointed that the food on their visit was Thai only, and one felt the back of the pub had been over-modernised. A fire alarm forced a full evacuation mid-meal for one couple. Food is collected when a buzzer goes off, and one Sunday diner found the busy-day wait matched what they were told when ordering.
Customer Review Summary
Sunday roast draws the most praise, with reviewers describing roast pork in large portions and a side of cauliflower cheese singled out. Close behind is the beer, where diners mention a good selection of real ale taps, Old Hooky described as caramelly, and the pub's own Black Bear ale. Other plates named include a steak cut in strips with chips and a salad bowl, beef brisket and lemon-garlic chicken. The large garden gets repeated mentions, along with the open fires, the big screen for the World Cup and the pub quiz. Criticism is scattered but specific. One reviewer found the staff short on eye contact and welcome, another was disappointed that the food on their visit was Thai only, and one felt the back of the pub had been over-modernised. A fire alarm forced a full evacuation mid-meal for one couple. Food is collected when a buzzer goes off, and one Sunday diner found the busy-day wait matched what they were told when ordering.
Featured reviews
- James West
“This was a very good experience. We saw it on our way to the campsite and decided to go back and have a look on foot. One thing led to another and a photo opportunity became a quick pint, then another, followed by, I wonder what the menu looks like? The beer was very good, we like real ale and they had a good selection of taps. Old Hooky is worth a shout, we don't get it in Scotland, but it was a caramelly delight. For food we couldn't make up our mind. The menu didn't have any vegetables accompanying the steak, but we asked, and it included salad. When the steak arrived it was cut in strips and it was spectacular. Very tender, with decent chips and a very good salad bowl on the side. So a very good visit, a great pint, and an even better steak. It was fairly quiet earlier on, but by the time we left it was really picking up. ,”
- Andrew Caunt
“Great pub in a beautiful spot on the bank ofcthe River Avon. Had a few beers and Sunday lunch. The lunch was excellent, roast pork was delicious, we had the large portion size and were well filled! Good selection of drinks, beer was good. You get a buzzer thing to tell you when your lunch is ready and you go and collect it. Bit of a wait but not a suprise, pretty busy - and the wait was about what they said when we ordered. Beer garden is perfect for sitting out in the sun with a beer!!”
- Cheltenham Housekeepers
“Popped to The Bear for a roast on Sunday which was absolutely delicious. Huge portions and the side of cauliflower cheese was amazing!”
- Sharon Craven
“Impressive history in this pub which is set in a very nice town with impressive Abbey. Worth a visit. Pub was lively but over-modernised which drains the character the further back you walk into it. TBF, it was spacious and clean. A good choice of beer and the non alcoholic cider was fabulous. Food sharing platter well presented and cooked, flavoursome, and on price. The main concern here was overall we didn’t find the staff happy or welcoming they mainly had minimal eye contact and attentiveness.”
- Ian Langham
“What a great idea. Food seems to be done by visiting businesses from the area so different options every day. Order at the kitchen and collect when your buzzer vibrates....easy. loads of space in the garden. The world cup was on when we were there so the big screen was up for a great atmosphere. Loads of beer options with their own Black Bear ale 🍺 Lush...loved it and well worth a visit.”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Established in 1308. A conservation effort of 3 years has restored the building to the original fabric and layout of the early 1400s. Once we are open again in June 2023, enjoy a beer and open fire as a victorious Yorkist did after the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. Thanks for the local support, that has helped the Black Bear to be once again an asset to the civic life of Tewkesbury”
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Food
- Highlights· 6
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Parking· 2
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
Bars near The Black Bear
- The Fleet Inn, Twyning4.42,1002.2 miReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, riverside outdoor seating, overnight stay rooms
- The House in The Tree4.61,9945.8 mi away£15–30
sunday roast, play area and animals, twice roasted belly pork
- The Hobnails Inn4.49726 mi away£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday carvery, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Black BearReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7771 | — | £10–20 | sunday roast, real ale selection, open fires |
| The Fleet Inn, TwyningReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.42,100 | 2.2 mi | — | sunday roast, riverside outdoor seating, overnight stay rooms |
| The House in The Tree | 4.61,994 | 5.8 mi away | £15–30 | sunday roast, play area and animals, twice roasted belly pork |
| The Hobnails InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.4972 | 6 mi away | £10–20 | sunday carvery, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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