Thornbury is one of the most interesting market towns in South Gloucestershire, known for historic tales of treason, murders and for its modern day array of independent shops. It boasts a fully renovated Tudor castle and in summer flowers are all around as people take part in the towns competition, "Thornbury in Bloom". Apart from its own attractions, it's a convenient base or stop for those exploring the West Country. It is home to a former railway station. A local campaign seeks its reopening.
Thornbury's town charter was given in 1252. It was also mentioned in the Doomsday book. Today it has circa 12000 residents swelled with modern housing built from the 1950s to the present day.
Thornbury has one secondary school, The Castle School, and many primary schools including Gillingstool, Crossways School, Christ the King Primary school and more.
Take the A38 after getting off the M5 motorway either at junction 16 or 14.
Take the local bus services 78 and 78 (formerly 309 and 310) operated by First Bus.
78 & 79 (dead link: January 2023) (First Bus): Bristol → Filton → Patchway → Cribbs Causeway → Aztec West → Almondsbury → Rudgeway → Alveston → Thornbury
Thornbury's train station is closed. There are stations in Gloucester and Stroud than can be used to get close to the town.
The 309 and 310 bus services are frequent, also Thornbury is small enough for most able bodied travellers to explore on foot.
Plenty of things to buy: as a market town pretty much everything is catered for. Shop in Thornbury's high street, and the St Mary's shopping centre which provides an array of independents and chain stores.
Locals usually shop at Aldi or Tesco.
There is plenty of pubs and takeaways.
There are many places including the pubs, hotels, and hotels in neighbouring Alveston at the top of the B4061.
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