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Right on the edge of the Cotswolds near the historic town of Tewkesbury, The Royal Hop Pole is a pub with genuine literary credentials that makes it worth a visit.
Now run by Wetherspoon, it serves straightforward food and drinks at reasonable prices, so you can settle in comfortably with company or just grab a meal and a pint without fuss.
What sets it apart is its connection to Charles Dickens. He stayed here during the 1830s, and it's widely accepted that he drew inspiration from this building when writing the Hop Pole into The Pickwick Papers. You're literally sitting in the rooms where he may have spent time, observing the local characters who would later appear in his work. The building carries that age and history in its bones.
The pub also has rooms available if you want to stay overnight, which makes practical sense given its location. Tewkesbury Abbey is just a few minutes away, and you've got the nearby battlefield and the town's independent shops within easy reach. If you fancy exploring further afield, Upton-upon-Severn, a riverside town with its own appeal, is only a short drive away. Whether you're coming specifically for the Dickens connection or using it as a base to explore this part of the region, it works well either way.
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