UPTON UPON SEVERN RIVER WALK

This 3.5 mile walk starts and ends at the large car park alongside the B4211 road just to the north west of the town. It is a Pay and Display Car Park and at least two hours should be allowed to complete the walk and have some refreshments in the town. Stout footwear should be worn as the path can be muddy if there has been recent rain.

After leaving the car park cross the B4211 road by means of the pedestrian operated crossing point and continue in a south easterly direction underneath the A4104 bridge, observing as you go the large mural on the inside wall of the bridge.
There will be plenty of time on the way back to sample the refreshments at one of the many riverside public houses and restaurants so proceed alongside the riverbank for about half a mile until you reach the last of the houses. At this point it is possible to obtain a view into Upton Marina on the opposite side of the river.

Enter through the gate at the end of the road into a very large open area. This Site of Special Scientific Interest is known as Upton Hams and is regularly prone to flooding in Winter. Proceed by way of the riverside path, this is part of the Worcestershire Way and is easily navigable on foot.

After about three quarters of a mile a small water works can be seen on the opposite bank of the river rapidly followed by the Ryall Quarry loading dock, for which there is a separate entry. If you do the walk on a weekday it is possible, at this point, to observe barge unloading in operation.

The path continues to a small footbridge and gate into another field. After about a quarter of a mile you reach the main object of the walk being the site of the bridge over the River Severn that formerly carried the Ashchurch to Malvern Railway. The railway embankment is the easiest remains to identify as it towers over the field on its way from Upton upon Severn to Ripple. On the opposite bank of the river can be seen one of the abutments of the former bridge.

From here retrace your steps back through the field into Upton Hams but instead of returning by the river path take the diagonal path just to the west - this will take you back to the entry to Upton Hams by a more direct route. After passing back into the road you can stop for well earned refreshments at one of the local watering holes. There are public toilets in the car park and in the town.

Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer Map No.190 (Malvern Hills & Bredon Hill)