{{Short description|Town in Worcestershire, England}} {{Use British English|date=May 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}} {{Infobox UK place |static_image_name= Tudor House Museum, Upton upon Severn - geograph.org.uk - 2533444.jpg |static_image_caption= |country = England |coordinates = {{coord|52.063|-2.215|display=inline,title}} |official_name= Upton upon Severn | population = 2,903 | population_ref = ''(2021)'' |civil_parish= Upton-upon-Severn |shire_district= [[Malvern Hills (district)|Malvern Hills]] | shire_county = [[Worcestershire]] |region= West Midlands |constituency_westminster= [[West Worcestershire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Worcestershire]] |post_town= [[Worcester, England|Worcester]] |postcode_district= WR8 |postcode_area=WR |dial_code= 01684 |os_grid_reference= SO852405 |london_distance= {{convert|114|mi}} }}
'''Upton upon Severn''' (or locally simply '''Upton''') is a riverside town and [[Civil parishes in England|civil parish]] in the [[Malvern Hills District]] of [[Worcestershire]], England. Lying on the A4104 (formerly A440), the town recorded a population of 2,903 in the 2021 census.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Upton-upon-Severn (Parish, United Kingdom) - Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location |url=https://citypopulation.de/en/uk/westmidlands/admin/malvern_hills/E04010347__upton_upon_severn/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=citypopulation.de}}</ref>
Upton is situated on the west bank of the [[River Severn]] and is located {{convert|5|mi|km|0}} southeast of [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]]. The town has a distinctive tower and copper-clad [[cupola]] — known locally as the "[[Pepper shaker|Pepperpot]]" — the only surviving remnant of the former church. The church's replacement, also dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, was designed by [[Sir Arthur Blomfield]].<ref name ="HistoryoftheOldChurch"/>
==History== {{See also|History of Worcestershire}} [[File:Memorial Hall, Upton-upon-Severn - geograph.org.uk - 928228.jpg|thumb|left|upright|[[Upton upon Severn Memorial Hall]]]] The name Upton derives from the [[Old English]] ''upptūn'' meaning "settlement higher up", in reference to its position upstream from [[Ripple, Worcestershire|Ripple]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kepn.nottingham.ac.uk/map/place/Worcestershire/Upton%20upon%20Severn|title=Upton upon Severn |website=Key to English Place-Names |publisher=The Institute for Name-Studies |access-date=18 November 2025}}</ref>
Until the later half of the 20th century, the bridge at Upton was the only one across the River Severn between [[Worcester, England|Worcester]] and [[Tewkesbury]]; the present bridge was built in 1940.<ref name ="TheBridgeatUpton"/> [[Oliver Cromwell]]'s soldiers crossed the Severn here to win the [[Battle of Upton]] before the main [[Battle of Worcester]] in the [[English Civil War]]. The [[Upton upon Severn Memorial Hall]] was completed in 1832.<ref>{{NHLE|desc=Memorial Hall|num=1227111|access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
==Name variants== Although the style '''Upton upon Severn''' is now used by most local organisations, and local<ref name="Memorial"/>, regional<ref name="Malvern"></ref> and national<ref name="Constituency"/> government, the Royal Mail styles addresses as '''Upton-upon-Severn''',<ref name="RoyalMail"/> and the civil parish's name also uses hyphens. This style is adopted by some businesses. '''Upton-on-Severn''' was most usual for most of the 19th and part of the 20th century;<ref name="Lawson"/> the now-defunct railway station carried that name. A variant with a capitalised '''Upon''' can also be found.<ref name="school"/>
==Upton in the 21st century== The population of the civil parish in 2021 was recorded at 2,903<ref name=ONS/>, an increase from 2,881 in 2011.<ref>[http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11130024&c=Upton&d=16&e=15&g=6477287&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1453539668516&enc=1&dsFamilyId=779 ONS] 2001 census: parish headcount</ref> The parish extends westward from the town, including the settlement at Tunnel Hill, but does not include the village of [[Ryall, Worcestershire|Ryall]] located close to the town, on the other side of the river. Upton is in the [[West Worcestershire (UK Parliament constituency)|West Worcestershire]] parliamentary constituency.<ref name="Constituency"/>
The town has three major music festivals, with the spring [[folk festival]], the summer [[jazz]] and [[Upton Blues Festival|blues]] festivals.<ref name ="UptonBluesFestival"/>
Upton is the location of a 16th-century coaching inn, The White Lion Hotel, in which parts of the building date back to 1510. The building, which has a distinctive portico adorned with its very own lion, has undergone many transformations over the centuries. It is reputed to have played a part in the [[English Civil War]], where soldiers from both sides are alleged to have enjoyed the hospitality of this popular local hostelry prior to the [[Battle of Worcester]]. Guests of the hotel can stay in rooms referred to in books VII and VIII of [[Henry Fielding]]'s classic 1749 novel ''[[The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling|Tom Jones]]'' in which he refers to the hotel as "A house of exceeding good repute";<ref name="Fielding1861"/> these rooms retain many of their original features.
==Flooding==
Known for its regular flooding, Upton lies on the banks of the [[River Severn]] and is one of the most frequently flooded towns in England and was the subject of a 2024 risk assessment paper by the [[University of Manchester]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tasneem Haider Khan |title=Flood Risks Analysis in Upton Upon Severn: Assessing the Baseline Conditions and Future Scenarios for 100 and 1000-year Flood Events with a 2050 Climate Change Perspective |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/384965618_Flood_Risks_Analysis_in_Upton_Upon_Severn_Assessing_the_Baseline_Conditions_and_Future_Scenarios_for_100_and_1000-year_Flood_Events_with_a_2050_Climate_Change_Perspective |website=ResearchGate |publisher=International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research |access-date=26 April 2025 |doi=10.36948/ijfmr|date=2024}}</ref> <ref>Clare Lissaman, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18783297 Downpours shocked 'most flooded' town Upton upon Severn], BBC News, 20 July 2012.</ref> Low-lying areas of Upton suffered serious [[flooding]] in 1947 and 2000 but are regularly flooded most years during the spring and early summer. In the [[2007 United Kingdom floods|2007 floods]], levels exceeded those in 2000, and the town was inaccessible by road.<ref name ="July2007Floods"/> The town's main built-up area lies on slightly higher ground than the surrounding countryside, and in the past became an island during severe floods. A connecting causeway now carries the A4104 above the floods to the west, and a viaduct on the other side of the bridge to the east.
==Education==
Primary education is provided by Upton Upon Severn CofE Primary School with approximately 175 (in 2025) pupils on its roll.<ref name="school">{{Cite web |title=Upton Upon Severn CofE (VC) Primary and Pre-School |url=https://www.uptonprimary.education/ |access-date=2025-11-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=School report |url=https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50278938 |date=2025-04-30 |access-date=2025-11-04 |website=[[Ofsted]]}}</ref> [[Hanley Castle High School]], located in a nearby village, provides secondary education for the region and is one of the three large high schools serving the [[Malvern, Worcestershire#High_schools|Malvern]] area.
==People== {{see also|Category:People from Upton-upon-Severn}} [[File:Pepperpot Upton.jpg|thumb|upright|The "Pepperpot" – remains of the former church of St Peter and St Paul. Its nave was demolished in 1937.]] *[[John Dee]], [[mathematician]], [[astronomer]] and [[astrology|astrologer]], was presented the lay rectorship of Upton upon Severn in 1553.<ref name="FellSmith1909"/> *[[Nigel Mansell]], [[1992 Formula One World Championship|1992]] [[Formula One]] world champion, born at [[Baughton]] near Upton.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7616467.house-that-gave-birth-to-a-legend/|title=House that gave birth to a legend|date=8 August 2003|newspaper=Worcester News|access-date=10 July 2021}}</ref> *Admiral Sir [[William Tennant (Royal Navy officer)|William Tennant]] (1890–1963), born in Upton.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/herefordandworcester/features/2004/02/dunkirk.shtml |title=William Tennant - alias Dunkirk Joe |date=24 September 2014 |website=BBC Hereford and Worcestershire |accessdate=25 March 2018}}</ref> *General Sir [[George Alexander Weir]] (1876–1951), born in Upton.<ref>{{cite web| last = Houtermann | first = Hans| title = British Army Officers, 1939–1945 (G.M.B. Wadsworth to G.A. Weir)| work = World War II unit histories| url = https://www.unithistories.com/units_index/index.php?file=/officers/personsx.html| accessdate = 28 December 2010 }}</ref>
==Transport== [[File:Upton-upon-Severn bridge 929084.jpg|thumb|The bridge at Upton upon Severn]] Upton was served by [[Upton-on-Severn railway station]], on a branch line [[Tewkesbury and Malvern Railway]] from [[Ashchurch]] to [[Malvern, Worcestershire|Malvern]], with the intermediate stations [[Tewkesbury]], [[Ripple, Worcestershire]], Upton upon Severn and [[Malvern Wells]] (Hanley Road).<ref name ="UptonTicket"/> The Upton to Malvern section closed in December 1952 and the rest in August 1961, before the [[Beeching Axe]].
Bus services 332 and 363 link Upton to [[Worcester, England|Worcester]] a total of six times per day (Mon–Fri), with four per day on Saturdays.<ref>[http://www.travelinemidlands.co.uk/wmtis/XSLT_SELTT_REQUEST Traveline Midlands bus search] (searched 2 December 2020)</ref>
Although the [[M5 motorway]] is close by, the nearest motorway junction is Junction 1 of the [[M50 motorway (Great Britain)|M50]] (which is {{convert|2|mi|km|abbr=out|disp=or}} from J8 of the M5).
Upton Marina is home to [[Mercia Inshore Search and Rescue]].
==References== <references> <ref name=ONS>{{cite web | title = Neighbourhood Statistics | publisher = [[Office for National Statistics]] | url = http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11130024&c=Upton&d=16&e=61&g=6477287&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1453539422609&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491 | access-date = 23 January 2016 | archive-date = 4 March 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304232328/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=11130024&c=Upton&d=16&e=61&g=6477287&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1453539422609&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2491 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
<ref name="Lawson">{{cite book | last=Lawson | first=Emily M. | title=Records and Traditions of Upton-on-Severn | publisher=Houghton and Gunn | date=1869 | url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Records_and_Traditions_of_Upton_on_Sever/bWouAAAAMAAJ | access-date=2025-12-06}}</ref>
<ref name="Memorial">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Upton upon Severn Town Council Website |url=https://www.uptonuponsevern-tc.org.uk/ |access-date=2025-12-06 |year=2025}}</ref>
<ref name="Malvern">{{Cite web |title=NEWS: Welcome signs installed in Upton |url=https://www.malvernhills.gov.uk/news-alerts/1686-new-welcome-signs-installed-in-upton |date=2024-04-08 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=[[Malvern Hills District]] Council}}</ref>
<ref name="Constituency">{{Cite web |title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) (Miscellaneous Changes) (No. 3) Order 1987 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/2208/pdfs/uksi_19872208_en.pdf |date=1987-12-18 |access-date=2025-12-06 |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=[[The National Archives (United Kingdom)]] |page=9}}</ref>
<ref name="RoyalMail">{{Cite web |title=Postcode Finder- Find an address |url=https://www.royalmail.com/find-a-postcode |access-date=2025-12-06 |website= |publisher=[[Royal Mail]]}}</ref>
<ref name="FellSmith1909"> {{Cite book |author=Fell Smith, Charlotte |year=1909 |title=John Dee: 1527–1608 |location=London |publisher=Constable and Company |url=http://www.johndee.org/charlotte/}} </ref>
<ref name="Fielding1861">{{cite book | last = Fielding | first = Henry | title = Tom Jones | publisher = Derby | year = 1861 | url = https://archive.org/details/tomjones02fielgoog | quote = tom jones exceeding good repute. |page=[https://archive.org/details/tomjones02fielgoog/page/n159 149] | access-date = 10 December 2011}} </ref>
<ref name ="HistoryoftheOldChurch">{{cite web | title = History of the Old Church | website = www.upton.uk.net | url = http://www.upton.uk.net/history/bridge/thebridgeatupton.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120224436/http://www.upton.uk.net/history/bridge/thebridgeatupton.pdf | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 20 November 2008 | access-date = 10 December 2011}} </ref>
<ref name ="July2007Floods">{{cite web | title = July 2007 Floods | website = www.upton.uk.net | url = http://www.upton.uk.net/archives/floods/jul07/0index.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080930105418/http://www.upton.uk.net/archives/floods/jul07/0index.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 30 September 2008 | access-date = 10 December 2011}} </ref>
<ref name ="TheBridgeatUpton">{{cite web | title = The Bridge at Upton |website = www.upton.uk.net | url = http://www.upton.uk.net/history/bridge/thebridgeatupton.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081120224436/http://www.upton.uk.net/history/bridge/thebridgeatupton.pdf | url-status = usurped | archive-date = 20 November 2008 | access-date = 10 December 2011}} </ref>
<ref name ="UptonBluesFestival">{{cite web | title = Upton Blues Festival | publisher = Upton Blues Festival | url = https://upton-blues-festival.co.uk/ | access-date = 4 January 2020}} </ref>
<ref name ="UptonTicket">{{cite web | title = Upton Ticket | website = www.miac.org.uk | publisher= Railways in Worcestershire | url = https://www.miac.org.uk/images/uptonticket.jpg | access-date = 10 December 2011}} </ref> </references>
==Further reading== * {{cite web|title='Parishes: Upton upon Severn', A History of the County of Worcester|volume=4|year=1924|pages=212–217|url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=42882}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Upton upon Severn}} *[https://www.uptonuponsevern-tc.org.uk Town Council] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20000819025537/http://www.upton.uk.net/ Upton community website]}}
{{Worcestershire}} {{Severn from Bewdley to Gloucester}} {{Malvern Hills}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Upton Upon Severn}} [[Category:Upton upon Severn| ]] [[Category:Towns in Worcestershire]] [[Category:Civil parishes in Worcestershire]] [[Category:Malvern Hills District]] [[Category:Populated places established in the 9th century]] [[Category:Populated places on the River Severn]] [[Category:9th-century establishments in England]]