One of the UK’s hidden gems is to welcome the travel trade. Upton-upon-Severn is a small town in the Malvern Hills district of Worcestershire. Situated on the west bank of the famous River Severn, Upton is thought by many local tourism businesses to be ‘a perfect coach stop’.
Coach and tour operators and group travel organisers from around Great Britain will visit this delightful and historic riverside town between 10 -11 September 2017 where they will be treated to a special showcase of its tourist attractions. Organised by Malvern Hills District Council in conjunction with travel trade company Steve Reed Tourism Ltd from Hampshire, the two day event is being arranged to bring in new and additional coach parties – and their spending power – to Upton and the surrounding area’s tourism economy.
The attendees will be hosted in the Bank House Hotel, Spa & Golf Club in nearby Bransford Village. The Bank House is a beautiful 61 bedroom family owned hotel which has a relaxing spa with panoramic views of the Malvern Hills and an 18 hole Florida Style golf course.
The group will enjoy a fact-finding tour of Upton and Great Malvern. One of the highlights will be a trip on board the Conway Castle river boat, boarding of course at The Boathouse in Upton-upon-Severn. The area and its attractions are just made for groups.
Upton-upon-Severn also hosts an impressive array of award winning festivals each year. These include the Folk Festival; Jazz Festival; Blues Festival and the very popular Sunshine Festival. It’s also famous as the site of the Battle of Upton during the English Civil War, visited by Oliver Cromwell. And its Tudor House Museum attracts lots of visitors. The town is blessed with regular boating trips arranged by Severn Leisure Cruises – passengers can enjoy relaxing trips to the nearby cathedral city of Worcester or to Tewkesbury. They also do their very popular afternoon tea/fish and chip lunches/Sunday lunches with jazz or blues live bands.
Upton itself has many beautiful 17th century buildings, none more prominent than the iconic ‘Pepperpot’. This is a distinctive medieval church tower crowned by a cupola instead of the usual spire. The town’s location beside the river and within the picturesque Malvern Hills, very near to the famous spa town of Great Malvern, has meant that Upton has grown in importance to the travel and tourism industry.
Malcolm Salisbury is the Economic Development Officer from Malvern Hills District Council:
‘We are convinced that Upton has massive potential to develop as a high quality and all year round coach stop for groups visiting or passing through the Malvern Hills and Worcester. Coaches can bring a lot of welcome spending and increased footfall for local businesses.
‘Many people who come to the Malvern Hills for the first time are stunned by its natural charm and beauty – and that is why we know we can successfully grow the numbers of coach parties into Upton-upon-Severn,’ explains Malcolm. The coach operators – decision makers all – will start their familiarisation tour on the afternoon of Sunday 10th September with visits to a number of attractions across the area before a special ‘Welcome to Malvern Hills’ dinner at the Bank House Hotel, Spa & Golf Clubthat evening.
The tour planners will visit Upon-upon-Severn on the Monday morning 11th September from 10.00 with a cruise on board the Conway Castle before a guided tour of the town.
Annette Keyworth, Chairman of the Upton Business Association had this to say:
‘We think that coaches provide all the ingredients to bring in new customers to our pretty and unique little town on the River Severn.’
‘Our aim is to make it easy and attractive for coach companies from all over the country to include Upton in their tour schedules. They’ll see that their passengers will receive a warm welcome every time they visit us. We’re also pleased that we were featured in a recent national newspaper article entitled ‘A Good Place to Live 2017’ – our guests will see that we’re also a good place to visit!, says Annette.
Any tour companies or operators wishing to be considered for a place on this highly enjoyable Upton-upon-Severn and Malvern Hills Showcase should contact Steve Reed on:-
Email steve@stevreedtourism.co.uk.
Telephone [01420] 560 288.
Contacts for Group Visits:
Malvern Hills including Upton-upon-Severn and Great Malvern. Malcolm Salisbury
Email: malcolm.salisbury@malvernhills.gov.uk; Tel: [01684] 862 483
The Bank House Hotel, Spa & Golf Club – Lynn Darling
Email: lynn.darling@bankhouseworcester.com; Tel: [01886] 833 551
Severn Leisure Cruises – Penny Coulter
Email: info@severnleisurecruises.co.uk; Tel: [01684] 593 112
