A Stourport Circuit. Part 1

This is a great walk for all ages. There's lots of interest - river, canal history, the fair, ancient woodland, Hartlebury Common. And tea rooms. What's not to like?

I started my walk from the riverside car park. The dainty yellow celandines were lining the bank.

The Crazy Golf Course was being cleaned.

I love to walk past the fair.

This ride dates from 1964, apparently.

And there's a passable model of the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II sitting on  a bench while waiting to see people using the slide.

The wide lock leading into the River Severn.

Along the side of the Severn are a few old buildings used when there was river trade.

This one still has part of a winch to load things directly into boats.

But the industry is soon left behind.

A large riverboat was moored opposite the red sandstone cliffs 

Interesting to compare the size of river boats to their canal counterparts!

The boats sparkle in the sun.

A narrow boat passes, going towards Stourport.

The orange barrage to protect boats from the huge weir.

Lincombe Lock ahead

To be continued tomorrow

Today's route: from the riverside car park, along the Severn to Lincombe Lock. Then through the woods to Lincombe Caravan park, and over the Worcester Road to Hartlebury Common. Down Mill Lane, to join the canal, and back to Stourport Marina. About 5 miles - with lots of options to make it a bit shorter.