Upton is a small town of great character and charm, which has retained an independent and relaxed outlook on today's rapidly changing world, a place where the shopper and visitor will find the traditional values of courtesy and service.
Upton today offers a wide selection of shops and activities, from fishing tackle and a famous map shop to a handmade-chocolates factory, from art galleries, old book shops and floral sculpture in ceramics to the skill of the blacksmith. And, when you fancy a rest from exploring its quiet corners, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants where you can confirm that the natives really are friendly.
Traditionally, Upton has always had its craft and other small industries and these can still be discovered dotted about the town; in the countryside the most important land use is agriculture.
Upton does not only reflect the past; you find businesses and factories using the latest silicon chip technology.
Upton parish has a population of about 3,000 and an area of five square miles. It is very accessible from many large towns; 11 miles from Worcester, 18 from Cheltenham and Gloucester, 28 from Stratford-upon-Avon, 114 from London. 1 mile from the A38 trunk road and 5 miles from the junction of the M5/M50. Closest railway stations are Worcester or Malvern. It is on the Avon/Severn boating route known as The Avon Ring.
Early Closing Day is Thursday (but most businesses remain open).
For a full list of businesses see the Services Map
Tourist Information Centre, High Street, Tel: 594200.
Banks - Lloyds Bank (Cash Point), HSBC, both in High Street.
Buses - Midland Red from High Street to Worcester, Tewkesbury and Gloucester (local services to Malvern and villages).
Car Parks - Hanley Road, New Street and Sports Field, Old Street.
Chemist - High Street, Tel: 592637.
Citizen's Advice Bureau - The Library, Tel: 592176.
Churches - Church of England, Old Street; Roman Catholic, School Lane; Baptist, Old Street.
Dentist - School Lane, Tel: 592954.
Fire Station - Corner of Old Street and Minge Lane.
Funeral Directors - M Presland, High Street, Tel: 592393.
Health Service - Doctors' Surgery, School Lane, Tel: 592696, out of hours 0845 609 0669; District Health Authority Clinic, Old Street, Tel: 593292.
Town Council - Clerk's Office: Hours: 9.15 - 4pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; 9.15 - 2.00pm Tuesday. Te1:592273
Police Station - School Lane, Tel: 08457 444888.
Post Office - Old Street, Tel: 592634.
Schools - Primary & Junior School, School Lane, Tel: 592259. Hanley Castle High School, Tel: 593241
Veterinary Surgeons - 11 New Street, Tel: 592606.
Housing Matters
To meet the needs of young and old the Malvern Hills District Council has created to the south of the town a fine complex of buildings landscaped with a play area on the site of the former old people's home called Laburnum House, which succeeded the Victorian Union Workhouse and is now transferred to a new dwelling, 'Beechwood', at Ryall.
Houses, bungalows and flats are grouped here close to comfortable flatlets for the elderly with a communal centre and a warden on the premises also available to adjacent occupiers in need.
Early in 1993 saw the completion of 16 'starter' homes for young local couples.
The Graftons, completed in 1968, is another good example of supervised housing for older people, who form a fair proportion of the population.
At the end of Rectory Road the early 16th century former Rectory, Old Hall, and Coach House form the nucleus of a recent flat development by the Worcester Housing Association. At the junction of School Lane with Minge Lane the solid block that is Edward Hall House illustrates well the difficulty facing designers today in providing, with flats, the variety of appearances so characteristic of Upton's best houses, a problem also faced with Collinghurst House in New Street. Down Gardens' Walk, within easy reach of the town centre, is Berrow Court, an outstanding private development of cottages and flats for the middle income group, planned terrace-style around a central landscaped garden court.
Upton upon Severn has many things for both old and young. Indeed, something happens almost every weekend.
May Bank Holiday brings the Folk Festival.
The last weekend in June sees the Oliver Cromwell Jazz Festival livening up the town. Three nights and two days of non-stop jazz with venues both in the town and on Fish Meadow. Truly a memorable weekend and one of the best known Jazz Festivals in the country with bands from all over the world. In July the Blues Festival takes over the town, and finally the Water Festival on August Bank Holiday weekend provides three days of family fun and entertainment on land and water and boasts a huge firework display.
What to Do
It is not practicable to record the many activities catered for. Details are available in the Library, the Compendium published by the parish church, and the local Tourism Association Guide. Here are a few of the Associations, Clubs and Societies:
And for the young: Brownies, Guides, Cubs, Scouts, Beavers, St. John's Ambulance Cadets, Recorder Group, Dancing Class, Youth Club, Youth Bands and many activities and interests.
A history of the Society and its guide to Upton's shorter footpaths are on sale in the Heritage Centre and a photo-archive has been compiled to show future generations how Upton looked in the eighties.
This site is owned and maintained by me, Jackie Surtees. The site has been online since 1997. It is dynamic and most of the pictures are taken by me.
I hope the site comes over as an incentive to visit the town. I am trying to capture its charm to encourage short visits, holidays
and as a centre for visiting other parts of Worcestershire. As a part of this I have included many pictures so some of the pages may take some time to download - please be patient and I hope you find it worthwhile.
If anything on the site decides you to visit, or find out more about Upton upon Severn, please mention where you found the inspiration.
Thanks.
Short Excursions (within about ten miles)
Whether by the river or road few places in The Midlands can rival Upton for delightful outings. Towns and villages are set among farmland; buildings range from abbeys to thatched cottages; The Malverns and Bredon Hill are nationally known landmarks.
Hanley Castle, B4211
1 1/2 miles north west, rich in enjoyable houses, is a picturesque hamlet dominated by the church and the High School, founded in the 14th century. Associations with the guardianship of Malvern Chase and the Wars of the Roses, Nothing of the castle remains. Seat of the Lechmere family at Severn End. Quay Lane leads to the old river crossing point.
Great Malvern
Victorian spa town famous for its Priory Church, its water and schools. The church has a splendid tower and array of 15th century stained glass. The annual festival revives memories of Bernard Shaw and Edward Elgar. From the summit of the hills 15 counties can be seen, on a clear day.
Malvern Link
The Church of the Ascension by Sir Walter Tapper, 1903: interesting interior. Chapel of the Convent of the Holy Name by Sir Ninian Comper. The Boehm Porcelain Showroom is open to visitors; as is the Morgan Car factory, by arrangement.
Newland
Notable Victorian almshouses built for the third Earl Beauchamp by P. C. Hardwick, who was modernising Madresfield Court. The church is almost covered with spirit frescoes designed by Gambier Parry.
Madresfield Court
Dates from the 15th century. The 1902 Arts 8r Crafts chapel is noteworthy. The beautiful grounds are sometimes open.
Leigh
Interesting Norman church of St. Eadburga (of Pershore). Leigh Court has impressive lodges and long, cruck-built, mediaeval barn.
The Hook, offA4104
Two miles west, the chapel-of-ease was built in 1870 to serve some eighty families who lived more than one and a half miles from Upton parish church. The architect was G. R. Clarke. The chapel contains a fine west window designed by Robert Payne c.1306.
Welland
Until the 1875 church, which has a ten i~ch font, was built at the crossroads, the parish revolved round the old one, now gone. The old graveyard lies between 18th century Welland Court and the Old Vicarage. Animal and Bird Garden. Heathers. Unique Nerine collection (October).
Malvem
Tower and choir of the Benedictine Priory remain to form the parish church; the setting against the Herefordshire Beacon and British Camp is beautiful. Some good glass and monuments. Part of the monastic buildings is incorporated in Little Malvern Court, home of the Berington family; the Prior's Hall can be seen. The Roman Catholic churchyard off the Wells Road contains the graves of England's most famous composer, Sir Edward Elgar, and Alice his wife.
Eastnor
Romantic, well situated, early 19th century castle by Robert Smirke in mediaeval style with a collection of pictures, armour and tapestries. Open to the public.
Ledbury
An important market town full of interest with the most imposing parish church in Herefordshire. Mediaeval Church Lane leads to it from the 17th century Market House. Birthplace of John Masefield, 1878-1967, Poet Laureate and novelist. Associations with the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning.
Castlemorton
A fine large common below the hills. The village has some interesting houses; one, dated 1890, by C.F.A. Voysey. The church is Norman. Only a mound rnarks the site of the castle.
Birtsmorton
The Court with its two moats and 14th century gateway has the feel of a mediaeval manor house. There are associations with the Wars of the Roses and Cardinal Wolsey. William Huskisson M.P., the first person killed in a railway accident, 1830, was born here. A footpath from the road leads to the Lodge. The church has a 14th century tower and benches and a fine monument to Admiral William Caldwell, 1718. Wildfowl Sanctuary.
Earl's Croome, A38
1 1/2 miles north east. The church is basically 12th century, with a fine chancel arch and other interesting Norman features. Early pulpit and reading desk. The Court opposite, much reconstructed, dates from the early 17th century.
Hill Croome
Pleasantly situated on a hill church tower with saddle-back roof is 13th century. Jacobean pulpit, communion rail and font cover. The farm close by has a dovecote of cruck construction, restored by Avoncroft Museum of Buildings.
Strensham
The church has a two-decker 18th century pulpit, some l8th century nave panelling, a gallery with organ and 23 painted saints; fine brasses and effigies of the Russell family. A memorial to Samuel Butler, author of the satire on puritanism 'Hudibras', born and baptised here in 1612. The plague caused migration to Lower Strensham; 17th century Russell almshouses.
Croome d'Abitot
The church, in the care of the Redundant Churches Fund, was built by Capability Brown in 1763. Elegant interior by Robert Adam with Coventry monuments. Croome Court, not open to the public, also by Brown who landscaped the grounds for the sixth Earl, has or had a largely Adam interior. The Tapestry Room is in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Park furnishings are numerous, some, such as the Panorama and "Greenhouse", by Adam. Many are grouped for viewing on a pleasant walk from the road past High Green.
Pershore
Abbey church begun about 1090 was plundered at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1540. Chancel vault and interior of the Lantern Tower are outstanding. St. Andrew's church, opposite, has been well converted to a community centre. A pleasant walk from Broad Street down 113th century Bridge Street leads to the part ly mediaeval bridge. Over it is Wick hamlet, associated with Henry VIII's sixth wife, Katherine Parr. County College of Horticulture.
Fladbury
Pleasantly situated village with old mill on the Avon. The Norman church has fine brasses and 14th century glass.
Cropthorne
Pretty with black and white houses. Church dates from 13th century. Fine tombs and Anglo-Saxon cross head.
ELmley Castle
The Queen Elizabeth pub recalls her state visit in 1575 to the castle, now gone. The church contains 13th century font and splendid 17th century Savage monuments.
Woollas Hall
17th century building, now flats, on the slopes of Bredon Hill.
Eckington
Late Norman church. Fine red sandstone bridge from l6th century.
Birlingham
The churchyard is beautiful in early spring. The 12th century chancel arch was erected as an entrance gateway when the church was rebuilt in 1872. Nafford Lock below is a starting point for a lovely walk along the Avon to Great Comberton and up Bredon Hill.
Ripple, offA38
Two miles south, had a Roman pottery. The Parliamentarians were defeated here in 1643. Charming village with preaching cross and stocks. Georgian Hall behind. The church is basically 12th century with delightful unique group of 15th century misericords under stall seats.
Bredon
Impressive Norman church; some good glass and monuments. Fine buildings include splendid Tithe Barn (National Tmst). Another at Hartpury, Ilm, S.W. from Upton.
Tewkesbury
Great Abbey Church from 1087; with Beverley Minster the finest in the country. The town retains ancient alleys, Abbey Mill (mediaeval banquets), King John's bridge and a wealth of old houses. Museum.
Bushley
Picturesque hamlet with a charming green. Formerly estate of the Dowdeswells of Pull Court (now Bredon School). Edward Blore built the church; George Gilbert Scott added the high chancel. A brass to Edward and Ursula Payne of 15th century Payne's Place, said to have sheltered Queen Margaret of Anjou after her defeat at Tewkesbury, l471.
Forthampton
Pretty village; almshouses by William Burges. The Court, home of the Yorke family since 1762, was well modemised by Philip Webb, 1891. Large church approached via stocks and a whipping post. Good stained glass.
Longdon
Black and white Longdon Hall and Moat House, Georgian Manor Farmhouse. Church rebuilt in 1785; tower dates from 1300. Fine Brugge of Eastington brass 1523. Elgar obtained inspiration for his Oratorio, The Apostles, 1904, at Longdon Marsh. Eastington Hall: very fine early half-timbering.
The church is situated by the M50 motorway. The 14th century tower has a saddle-back roof by Gilbert Scott, 1855. Fragment of beautiful 14th century glass. Half-timbered manor. Bredon School over the bridge is by Edward Blore in Victorian Jacobean style.
Sevem Stoke, A38
2 1/2 miles north, has a picturesque group of buildings by the church with a fine view across the Severn to the Malvern Hills. Some timber-framed houses towards the road have been cleared away. The church has a 14th century tower and some interesting monuments, one to John Somers who shot at the puritan rector in the pulpit. The prized 1619 flagon is on loan to the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Kempsey
The old village is grouped near the church, a grand building dating from c.1200. Simon de Montfort, founder of the House of Commons, crossed at Pixham Feny with Henry III as prisoner and heard Mass here before defeat and death at the Battle of Evesham in 1265.
Worcester
County town with Cathedral, 1084; memorable crypt and Chapter House. Race Course. Among many other interesting buildings note Greyfriars, c.1480, in Friar Street, the mediaeval Commandery, Guildhall, 1721-3 and Georgian St. Swithun's church. The Royal Porcelain factory is open to visitors and is adjacent to the Dyson Perrins Museum. The Elgar Birthplace museum is at Lower Broadheath three miles away.
Spetchley
Good Berkeley monuments in the church. Spetchley Park. Grounds open May to September. 19th century mansion.
