The River Severn at Upton

Upton on Severn, in Worcestershire, was originally settled in the 1400 due to the crossing point of the river and the convergence of several roads. Today the river is navigable for vessels up to 100 tons both upstream to Worcester and downstream to Tewkesbury. Upton still has a sizeable marina - that was probably once an old canal barge basin.

Upton has developed several strategies to cope with flooding, including stepped banks (hard engineering), an evelated bridge rising from the earthen levees, parkland walks along the riparian zone and an acceptance of the inhabitants of the risk of purchasing properties which will flood annually.