Local Area

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Strensham Church , adjacent to The Old Rectory

Strensham

Strensham lies near Upton-on-Severn. For over four centuries the parish was famous for being the residence of the great Worcestershire Russell family, one of whom was Governor of Worcester in the civil wars. Possibly the most famous son of Strensham was the poet Samuel Butler, b1612, d1680 the author of "Hudibras (loved by King Charles the II) who is buried in Westminster Abbey, and whose house still remains, though converted into three cottages. Inside the church, there are 16th century pews, a Norman Tub Font, and a rare gallery formed out of the painted wood screen which dates from 1490-1500.

The Old Rectory is situated well away from the main village, next to Strensham Church, commanding beautiful views of Malvern and Bredon Hills. It has been said in the history of Strensham, published on the Web that: “The situation of the Rectory is so paradisiacal, overlooking the rich valley of the Avon that I can excuse the occupants for lingering behind as long as possible.”
Down the lane at Strensham you can walk, jog or cycle to the local farm shop, jammed with local produce and treats; sit in their old fashion tea room and have a clotted cream tea ...and just slow down! And just round the corner from the farm shop is the village of Defford with its own private airstrip should you wish to fly almost to our doorstep! www.defford-croftfarm.co.uk.

Defford Farm Shop

Twyning
The next nearest village is Twyning, 5 mins South in the bordering county of Gloucestershire. Twyning Village is a quiet Gloucestershire village with a long history - the settlement dates back to before medieval times. There are still a number of old wooden frame buildings in the village together with traditional red brick houses such as the Old Manor. Five minutes drive from The Old Rectory, is the village green with The Village Inn at the far end. Just before The Green is Twyning Village Stores, which sells a good range of fresh, frozen and tinned produce including fresh bread and cakes, local meat, fruit and vegetables and wine and beers. Beyond the green the road leads down to the River Avon and a riverside pub. There's a lovely riverside walk along the Avon from the The Fleet Inn all the way into the centre of Tewkesbury.  We can also take you here on our boat (see boat charter tab)
There's a network of local footpaths right on the doorstep with great views across to Bredon Hill and the Cotswolds. Twyning and Bredon are separated by the River Avon so a ten minute drive through Tewkesbury takes you to Bredon and Bredon Hill - the climb is worth it for the great views of the Vale of Evesham and across the Severn Vale to the Malvern Hills. A leisure complex and spa, fishing, horse riding and an 18 hole golf course are all within walking distance of the holiday cottage.

The Fleet Inn Pub on The Avon at Twyning

Tewkesbury   www.tewkesbury.net
Just a 10 mins drive from The Old Rectory is the historic medieval town of Tewkesbury with the impressive Tewkesbury Abbey (the largest surviving Norman tower in the world) and network of 30 ancient alleyways. In 1471 The Battle of Tewkesbury was a major battle in the Wars of The Roses and the Tewkesbury Medieval Festival and battle re-enactment takes place every July. Nowadays visitors to Tewkesbury will find:

Tewkesbury Abbey from The River Severn

The Old Rectory North is ideally located for exploring local towns like medieval Tewkesbury, regency Cheltenham and Upton Upon Severn - famous for the Upton Jazz Festival . Drive or cycle along the country lanes and you'll find traditional fruit orchards, pretty Cotswold stone villages, traditional black and white timbered cottages and great scenery. With beautiful countryside and a network of local footpaths on the doorstep its also the perfect setting for enjoying the outdoors - a peaceful riverside walk along the Avon from Twyning to Tewkesbury or a walk up Bredon Hill or the Malvern Hills for great views across the Severn Vale. The area has a wealth of galleries, museums, craft centres, gardens, theatres and much more.
Pershore   www.visitpershore.co.uk
10 minutes in the opposite direction you will find Pershore, on the way to Evesham. Pershore is situated on the River Avon, approximately 10 miles from Worcester and 6 miles from Evesham. Pershore is an unspoiled, picturesque Market Town, famed for its elegant Georgian architecture and magnificent Abbey. It is surrounded by beautiful countryside and picturesque villages and is a haven for cyclists and ramblers. Pershore has many specialist shops, an undercover market and welcoming pubs and restaurants,
several backing onto the river. It also has its own Number 8 Community Arts Centre with an exciting programme of events. Many of the buildings along Bridge Street and Broad Street are listed. Poets such as John Betjeman have been inspired by Pershore's beauty and its old-world charm is sure to entice you back time and time again.

Pershore Bridge over The Avon
Back closer to home is Upton upon Severn, located right on the other major river The Severn which flows from Worcester, past Upton and meets the Avon at Tewkesbury. The historic town of Upton upon Severn is a thriving town, a perfect specimen of a Severn River port and a place of beauty. Here you will find a mix of half timbered and Georgian buildings, whilst the bridge connects the town with the modern marina.
Visit the Heritage Centre in the 'Pepperpot', a church tower containing newly designed displays and a fascinating account of Upton through the ages. Opposite, the Tudor House Museum is also well worth a visit.
In recent years Upton, once an inland port on the Severn has been gaining new fame as a centre for the popular arts. The colourful Folk Festival draws increasing numbers each year. Another high spot in the year is the Upton International Jazz Festival, when up to 15,000 jazz enthusiasts turn out for the mix of famous bands and new names. In August the popular Upton Water Festival honours the River Severn to which the town owes its existence.
Upton and one of its many festivals

Malvern   www.malverntrail.co.uk
Great Malvern has a wealth of interesting architecture due to its rapid growth as a spa town, during the 18th century. Look out for Gothic, Mock Gothic, Grecian influences and imposing Victorian buildings. Malvern Priory Church dates back to the 11th century. Amidst classic Victorian buildings its great Gothic Tower rises to 124 feet. Inside the huge columns and arches, were built when William of Normandy was on the throne, over nine hundred years ago. You can take a guided tour to find out more about the Church. Today The Malvern Museum is housed in the Abbey Gateway.
Malvern's most famous son is Sir Edward Elgar, who drew inspiration from the hills and the countryside around. He was born in Broadheath, a few miles distant, but lived and worked in Malvern for most of his life and is buried at St. Wulstan's Church in Little Malvern. Visitors can follow the Elgar Route and find for themselves places that were a part of his life and work.
The performing arts are an important part of Malvern life; there are all year round programmes at the Winter Gardens Complex. Malvern is also home to the world class English String and English Symphony Orchestras, the ESO and principal conductor William Boughton, enjoy international acclaim as the leading performers of English music and still give local recitals.
Since 1909 Morgan Cars have been built in Malvern, they are in great demand among enthusiasts from almost every part of the world. Visitors can telephone the factory and arrange for a tour, to see unique sports cars still being made by hand.

Expedia recently described The Malverns as one of the "Hidden Gems On The Planet" and The Malvern Hills were also recently voted the "Best View In Britain 2009" by The Rambling Association. This Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is totally unique and perfect for walks or cycling.