Our guide to the waterways
of the UK in detail.
The River Severn.
Only a short section of the middle Severn is navigable to our
boats. Below Gloucester lies the difficult waters of the Severn estuary, now
by passed by the Gloucester and Sharpness canal. Above Stourport the river has
never been improved and the absence of weirs and locks makes navigation for
our boats impossible.
At Gloucester you go down the lock, like all locks on the Severn
keeper operated, from the docks into the East channel, a relatively narrow stretch
of the river as it passes around the outskirts of Gloucester and under a number
of roads and railways. When it arrives at the upper parting, the west channel
takes much of the water to Maisemore weir, we turn right towards Worcester and
the river immediately becomes very wide. As we head up to Tewkesbury moorings
are few and crowded, There is only Haw bridge in the whole of the fourteen mile
stretch.
At Tewkesbury the river again divides immediately after Upper
Lode Lock, the right hand branch is the start of the River Avon and up it are
the moorings for Tewkesbury whose abbey has been tantalisingly visible on the
right bank for a while. The main channel goes under King's John's bridge and
continues its stately way up past Upton on another sixteen miles length up to
Worcester with no locks and only Upton bridge over it. This stretch however
now sees revived commercial traffic with motorised barges collecting gravel
from the gravel pits and delivering it to the processing plant further up river.
Unfortunately the state of the lower Severn has prevented the company being
able to develop this to Gloucester as they wish.
At Worcester the river goes up through Diglis lock past Diglis
basin where the Worcester and Birmingham canal starts its climb up to Birmingham.
The river now continues up to Stourport through another three locks in twelve
miles. However it is still over hundred foot wide throughout.
Finally at Stouport the river carries on, but is no longer navigable.
Boats climb the locks, narrow or barge into Stourport basin for the start of
the Staff and Worcs canal.
Places to visit near the river.
On the river Severn we can only easily stop at the towns,
but they are well worth exploring.
Stourport.
- Stourport
town. A town created when the canal reached the river Severn. Now
it has three elements; the 19th century canal basins, the 20th century
riverside amusements and a small but busy town, all alongside the canal
- Hartlebury
Common Nature Reserve on the edge of Stourport, a site of special
scientific interest with a wide range of flora and fauna You will find
oak and pine woods, a large pool and lots of open common land to explore.
- Hartlebury
Castle (1 1/4 miles E) - Home of the Worcestershire County Museum
and State rooms of the Bishop of Worcester.
Worcester.
- Worcester
city. A modern city alongside the river, well worth exploring.
- George
Marshall Medical Museum illustrates the history of medicine, nursing
and the associated health care professions, with particular reference
to Worcester and the surrounding area. It contains 500 items of equipment
including a 19th century operating theatre and apothecary's shop.
- Worcester Cathedral.
Set overlooking the river is this great medieval cathedral.
- St
Swithuns Church. Rebuilt in 1733-5, and still containing box pews
and a striking “three-decker” pulpit, it is one of the most
interesting Georgian churches in the UK.
- The
commandery A museum of the Civil war set in the house that Charles
II used as his head quarters in Worcester. Ten minutes walk from the
river.
- Greyfriars
. A timber-framed merchant's house of 1481. It now houses a fascinating,
and somewhat, unusual collection of articles.
- Royal
Worcester Visitors' centre. The Royal Worcester Visitor Centre nestles
amidst Victorian Factory buildings, just 2 minutes walk from the Cathedral
and historic city centre. It offers something of interest for everyone
whether you take a guided tour and see skilled craftsman at work or
try your hand at Paint a Plate. Our Royal Worcester Bestware & Seconds
shops offer an extensive range of quality bone china, porcelain &
giftware with great savings and special offers throughout the year.
- Tudor
House Heritage Centre. Historic building built around 1550. A Heritage
& Education Centre, where you can see displays on Tudor life alongside
some of Worcester's industrial and commercial heritage
- Worcester
City Art Gallery & Museum A lively museum with a changing programme
of contemporary art and craft exhibitions, regimental museums, café
and gift shop. Regular art workshops for children.
Upton
- Upton
Town. A riverside market town
- Upton Upon Severn Heritage
Centre (The Pepperpot)
- The
Tudor House Museum House front circa 1580. Interior of different dates
including interesting Parish oven which once cooked all the bread for the
town. Exhibits of local history, pharmacy, cobbler, woodworkers, ceramics,
clothes. Victorian bedroom, tailors shop, old kitchen etc
- Tiltridge
Vineyard. Situated one mile west of Upton-upon-Severn. It is a small family-run
concern, open to the public since 1992.
Tewkesbury.
-
Tewkesbury
is now a thriving town and at the same time is a living museum
of architecture and social history spanning over 500 years.
- Tewkesbury
Town Museum. Social History and Archaeology Collections illustrating
the history of Tewkesbury and its people.
- John
Moore Countryside Museum. Central to the museum is the Natural History
Collection of preserved mammals and birds, nearly all the victims of
accidents or predators. Displays of hand tools illustrate how people
have shaped the countryside which we know today.
- Tewkesbury Abbey.
A former Benedictine Abbey church consecrated in 1121 which has the
highest Norman tower in the country. It is still in use today as a massive
parish church. Inside is much of architectural and artistic merit. The
Abbey is about 15 minutes walk from the river.
- The medieval Battle
of Tewkesbury.
Gloucester.
-
Gloucester , founded in Roman times it developed into a flourishing medieval
city. Now there are many remains of the past in an active modern city with
an excellent shopping centre. It is within minutes of the river.
- Gloucester Cathedral.
Founded as an abbey 1300 years ago, and now the centre of the Diocese. There
is much to see here. It is about 15 minutes walk from the river.
- Beatrice
Potter Museum. The home of the Beatrix Potter story written in 1897.
- Gloucester Regimental Museum.
Here is told the remarkable story of those who have served in the regiments
of Gloucester since 1694. It is within five minutes of the river.
- The National Waterways Museum. at Gloucester
Docks. It tells the 300-year story of our waterways through an outstanding
collection, located in a historic warehouse. It is alongside the river.
Books on the River Severn.
There are a number of very good books about canals and rivers, but one I
would recommend on this river is
Working Life on Severn & Canal. Compiled by Hugh Conway-Jones
and published in 1990 by Alan Sutton Publishing Ltd., Gloucester. ISBN
0-86299-745-3
This very readable book tells the stories of boat men working on the River
and Canal much of it in their own words.
This book is in our library on Oak and Ash and available for you to read
during your cruise, as are many other books.
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Web
sites to find out more about this river and places near it.
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Join us on this river in 2008 during
cruise
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Some pictures of this river?
Stourport
to Worcester / Worcester to Tewkesbury
More information from Reed Boats about this
river.
A history of this river.
Find our information about other canals and
rivers on the canal index page.
If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk
