Discover Kempsey: River Paths and History

Kempsey combines paths along the River Severn with a history stretching back to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Anyone looking for a blend of activity, scenery and historical discovery during their holiday will find a range of ways to shape their travel plans here. A holiday apartment or holiday home in Kempsey can serve as a base for days you organise entirely around your own interests.

Between the River Severn and Ancient Routes

Kempsey’s walking routes include paths along the River Severn in both directions. The parish also has around 60 miles of footpaths and bridleways. This means the surrounding area can be experienced not only on a short walk; longer days outdoors can also form part of your itinerary. The approximate total length of the routes is a useful guide when considering before booking what you would like your stay to focus on.

Kempsey’s Roman road offers a special historical connection. When walking this route, you follow a path with a history dating back hundreds of years. This makes it an opportunity to combine physical activity with local history without devoting the day exclusively to a single building or museum.

Church and Settlement History

The Church of St Mary in Kempsey is a Grade I listed building. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Anyone interested in church architecture and the history of older settlements can include this building in their exploration of Kempsey. Its historical classification remains closely linked to the specific building.

Kempsey’s historic settlement site takes you even further back in time. It stood on elevated ground beside the water and was fortified by an earthwork known as an “agger”. Artefacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages were found at the early settlement site. A small Roman camp near Kempsey was later intended to secure the Saltway and an important ford. Roman coins, as well as local and imported pottery, were also uncovered in Kempsey’s gravel pits. These finds give the area’s history several chronological layers that you can connect in your mind during your stay.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Plans

When looking for accommodation in Kempsey, it is worth first deciding on the pace of travel you want. If walks along the River Severn and routes in the surrounding area are to be the focus, a holiday apartment is a suitable direction for your search and travel planning. Anyone wishing to combine historic sites with longer days outdoors can choose their accommodation according to their activities and preferred daily rhythm. Specific distances or amenities of individual properties should always be checked separately.

For practical planning, the Kempsey Community Bus may also be relevant. On Fridays, it runs from the Severn Stoke/Kinnersley/Kempsey area to St Peters Garden Centre and to Tesco and Aldi. This fixed day of the week should be taken into account when planning if you would like to use the bus for part of your journey.

Further Places for Your Travel Plans

If you would like to look at further listings in addition to Kempsey, you can find Tenbury Wells, Blakedown, Martley, Upton Snodsbury, Ribbesford, Hanley Castle, Upton upon Severn and Strensham here.

For the higher-level travel overview: Worcestershire.