The River Severn

High banks; manned locks; difficult mooring

2001

We tend to make rapid progress on the Severn especially if you are going downstream. High banks unfortunately obscure the view and don't encourage you to hang about. Keep an eye open for the fast cruisers and larger vessels such as the Oliver Cromwell though. Behind the banks are some lovely villages and countryside, so it is well worth stopping off when you get a chance. Mooring is often frustratingly difficult at the pubs and villages along the river. The situation is improving however, with many places installing more substantial moorings. The locks are all manned (but make a note of opening hours) and get bigger as you move down river. A boat hook is a useful tool for the steerer to grab hold of the vertical cables.

At Stourport everyone seems to moor in the canal basin. For information on Stourport, see the Staffs and Worcester canal section. Interesting bridges, the odd boatyard and small hamlets do provide interest. The manned locks make for an easy journey. Regarding pubs and beer, these improve as you go further down river. 

The Lenchford Hotel above Holt Fleet is a smart food orientated pub with only one real ale (Theakston Best) but it does reasonable food. The Camp House, Grimley is much more like a proper pub but moorings are very limited. The multi-roomed pub serves Thatchers Cask Cider and an interesting guest beer alongside three national brewed beers. Good value food. 

At Worcester there are excellent moorings along the race course (you may be asked for £2.50) and there is also a fast water point. The best pub in the city is without doubt, the Dragon on the Tything, a ten minute walk from the racecourse. It sells six excellent and interesting real ales. There is also mooring on the Worcester and Birmingham canal. For more information, see that page. A floating sani station (slow or no water point) can be found next to the entrance to the canal.  

Below Worcester, Upton is a very popular mooring spot and the limited mooring gets busy. There is a floating sani station on the opposite side of the river and the town has some good pubs and shops. The best being the rather smart White Lion Hotel on the main road. It serves Hobsons Best plus two guest ales in top condition. The food is pricey but looks good. Pundits Bangladesh restaurant up the road serves mouth watering dishes. We paid £37 for a two course meal including drinks. A must visit is the Three Kings, a twenty minute walk north to the timeless village of Hanley Castle. A wonderful, friendly and unspoilt pub with an excellent range of interesting guest ales. Dogs welcome in the cosy bar. 

At Tewkesbury you can moor on the river below the Avon lock. For information see the River Avon page. Below the massive Lower Lode Lock, the river is tidal but only when the river rises above the weir (7.5m) at Gloucester. The lock keeper will tell you all this and also provide information on entering Gloucester lock. The Coal House at Apperley is a tidy little inn serving excellent food and good ale (Bass, Wickwar BOB and Hancocks). The mooring isn't that rigid but is fine for a lunchtime stop. Just down river there is excellent mooring for the best pub on the river, the Boat at Ashleworth. A wonderful, cosy, place with a warm welcome. It serves four or five excellent guest ales straight from the cask. Snacks are served lunchtimes from the small gift shop. Note that there is a charge for mooring here. The walk past the tithe barn and church to the village is well worth it. The views up here are superb. There is a small shop/post office. 

South of here, the river splits in two and you take the eastern parting through a rather unattractive narrow section. As you approach Gloucester lock, slow down and if the lock keeper hasn't seen you, hold yourself on the left hand wall. Don't attempt to turn here; just get your stern in and the current will push the bow in. The lock keeper will use a hook to take your  ropes. If you stop overnight between Lower Lode and Gloucester, ring  Gloucester locks ahead on 01452 318007. For more information on Gloucester, see the Gloucester and Sharpness page.

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