Duration:
4 miles / allow 2.5 – 3 hours
Terrain = Town centre footpaths and public rights of way through fields and Lammas meadows.
Highlights:
* Explore the historic town of Upton upon Severn with its black and white timber-framed buildings and riverside setting.
* Seven new heritage information boards informing you of the town’s history – located at Hanley Road car park (front), Manor House, The ‘Pepperpot’, the Riverside, Upton Rugby Club, The Old Fire Station and New Street at the back of Hanley Road car park.
* Discover more about the history of the town at Upton Heritage Centre inside The ‘Pepperpot’ and at Tudor House Museum.
* Walk along the the riverside through ancient Lammas meadows at Upton Ham Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – a birdwatchers paradise with breeding waders like Curlew, Lapwing, Skylark, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, and Redshank.
* Walk to Clive’s Fruit Farm – an historic farm over 100 year’s old with orchards, a children’s playground, a farm shop and a cafe serving farmhouse breakfasts, lunches and afternoon tea’s all year around.
* Purchase local food and drink from the farm shop or from a selection of shops in the town centre, including the award winning Pudding Shop (and cafe), a butchers, a bakers, and an old-fashioned sweet shop.
* Stay at The White Lion Hotel – a Grade-II listed former coaching inn built in 1510. The Swan Hotel (riverside), The Star Hotel, Fish Meadow Caravan and Campsite, or at one of the UK’s best Camping and Caravanning Club Sites at Blackmore with views across to the Malvern Hills just a few miles from Upton.
The Route:
Step into the heart of Upton upon Severn and uncover the stories, architecture, and landscapes that shaped this remarkable riverside town. This new Heritage Trail invites you to wander through centuries of local history, guided by seven beautifully designed information boards that bring the past vividly to life and then take a countryside walk along public rights of way to Clive’s Fruit Farm.
Your journey begins at Hanley Road Car Park, where the heritage boards introduce you to Upton’s origins and the River Severn that defined it. From here, stroll toward the elegant Manor House, a reminder of the town’s longstanding ties to trade, community, and rural life.
Continue past the characterful Tudor House Museum, its timber-framed façade echoing the craftsmanship of ages past with unique local heritage displays, before arriving at the next information board across the road beside the Upton Heritage Information Centre at “The Pepperpot”. Step inside to explore a captivating timeline of the town’s history, tracing Upton’s evolution from a medieval river crossing to a thriving cultural hub.
The walk then leads you to the riverside, where another heritage board awaits, set against the peaceful flow of the Severn. Continue along the waters edge towards The Swan Hotel and then further on until you reach Upton Ham (SSSI) where the path continues. Walk as far as you are able, and then turn back on yourself for views of the town and the Malvern Hills in the distance.
After a gentle stroll along the river, head down the High Street past the Ye Old Talbot Hotel and continue into Old Street marvelling at the timber-framed buildings with plenty of unique shops. Your next stop is across the road is the Rugby Club board, shining a light on the town’s stories of service, resilience, and community spirit, including the building of the church during the 19th century.
As you head back towards the centre of town, turn left into New Street and follow the path as it winds toward the Upton Fire Station, guiding you through streets rich in historic architecture, each building offering whispers of bygone eras. The Fire Station Information Board provides a interesting history of the old railway station off Minge Lane, the old golf course and details of one of Upton’s secondary education school at the top of Tunnel Hill.
Continue along the footpath until you arrive at the rear of the car park, where you find the final information board. From here, the route opens up revealing stunning views across to the majestic Malvern Hills—a landscape that has inspired artists, walkers, and residents for generations.
This path eventually leads you to the celebrated Clive’s Fruit Farm, a family-run gem operating for more than 100 years. Enjoy a moment of refreshment amid its rural charm alongside the traditional fruit orchards, blossoms and shapes marking the seasons before beginning your gentle return to the historic town centre.
The cholera burial ground is approximately half a mile along the road, which was built to contain the remains of victims of the 1832 epidemic.
Whether you’re drawn by Upton’s riverside beauty, its rich heritage, or its timeless sense of place, or it’s fascinating old Lammas fields, this walk offers an inspiring blend of culture, history, and natural wonder—an unforgettable journey through the story of Upton upon Severn.
