Upton and the River Severn

Upton's stretch of the River Severn is both powerful and unpredictable in its flow. This is not always apparent to our summer visitors. As a result, swimming can be dangerous and is not permitted.

Marine activities upon the river create a major tourist attraction during the season (April to October). The town quay side is always busy with both private and hired (steel) narrow boats alongside, sometimes three abreast. Many of our visitors then visit the shops, pubs and restaurants in this attractive waterside town.

In August, on Bank Holiday weekend, we hold our Annual Water Festival. The weekend starts with a Jazz Band playing in the Memorial Hall on Friday night (courtesy of the Friends of Upton Jazz Festival). On Saturday trade and charity stalls set up along the riverside; street entertainers enthral the children; there are static and hands-on exhibitions; live music to suit a wide range of tastes; a parade through the streets of the town. At about 8pm a live band takes the stage which has been set up on the opposite bank of the river and at 10pm we have a superb fireworks, lasers, water and music display by our own local company Pepperpot Pyrotechnics. Sunday is similar to Saturday, but finishes at 5pm. On Monday, a huge car boot sale is held in the sports field. All the entertainment over the weekend is free and it is the work of a small band of volunteers who work hard throughout the year raising funds that enables the festival to take place.

Our local M.V. Conway Castle, run by Severn Leisure Cruises, takes parties of visitors up and down the river and wines and dines them en route. Visiting steamers (or more accurately - motor vessels) call on their way down from Worcester and Tewkesbury.

Within the parish boundaries at East Waterside is the busy Upton Marina, with first class facilities for its berth-holders, visitors and hire boat companies. Amenities include boat sales, moorings, slipway, chandlery, boat hoist and, probably most important, fuel. Fuel afloat is difficult to find on the Severn.

Based within the Marina is the local Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue organisation. On call 365 days a year by the Coastguard and various Police forces, yet the service is funded entirely by donations and hard-working fundraisers.

Finally, the stretch of the Severn at Upton is particularly famous in the Midlands for fishing and it is not unusual to see, on both sides of the river, keen members of the angling fraternity.