WHY?

A Georgian canal town in the heart of the Severn Valley, Stourport-on-Severn (often shortened to Stourport), gives you a slice of riverside living and is the closest you’ll get to a seaside resort feel, despite being so far from the sea! Its marina is teeming with pretty moored canal boots (just do your due diligence on avoiding areas prone to floods). You’re perfectly placed for commuting to Birmingham, Worcester or London, and just minutes downstream on the River Severn from the des res neighbouring town of Bewdley. You’re also in the catchment of the Wyre Forest, one of the largest, most ecologically significant oak woodlands in England, with miles upon miles of woodland for exploring, walking, cycling, running and horse trails.

EAT

A floating cafe always gets our vote. You’ll find the quirky Olivers Coffee Boat anchored in the locks and serving up delicious hot chocolate, tea and coffee daily from 10am. The Stourport Bakery dishes up delicious takeaway buns and pastries and for dinner there’s a mix of offerings, from Severn Tandoori to the 15th century The Old Beams, a lovely old rustic inn.

SHOP

You’ll definitely want a mooch around Mooch, a Muddy Award Finalist 2021 for Best Interiors Shop. Bentleys has been on the high street here for 65 years, another gift shop with an old-fashioned feel. Allcocks Outdoor Store is the place for getting kitted out for adventures in the surrounding hills and rivers.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS

The beautiful Witley Court is a great day out, once one of the great country houses of England. Also within in 10 minutes is the award-winning West Midlands Safari Park with it brand new Red Panda Retreat and even lodges to stay in for 2021 (Kenya, eat your heart out!). Head to The Civic for live theatre, music and comedy throughout the year. Go Ape is great for high-wire thrills in the appropriately-named Wyre Forest or take a fabulously civilised riverboat cruise down the Avon from one of the handful of boat companies here.

AVERAGE HOUSE PRICE

Very good value. Properties in Stourport-On-Severn had an overall average price of £228,66 in 2021. With semi-detached properties selling for an average price of £212,488. Detached properties sold for an average of £309,994, with terraced properties fetching £180,719.

HOT PROPERTY

SCHOOLS

Wilden All Saints C of E Primary is rated Outstanding by Ofsted and St Bartholomew’s C of E Primary is rated Good. For a great nearby independent try Abberley Hall School, a 15 minute drive away, a co-ed day and boarding school with extensive grounds and great wrap-around care for ages 2 – 13. RGS Dodderhill is a well regarded independent 20 minutes away with a co-ed school up to 11 then a girls-only senior school up to 16.

BEST KEPT SECRET

Head to gastro-pub Rock Tavern as it hides a very quirky secret. There are ancient caves at the back of the pub that legend has it once connected to Hartlebury Castle and were used as a secret escape route.

COMMUTE

The nearest train station is just over 10 minutes away in Kidderminster. From here trains into Paddington take around 2 and a half hours. Or, head to Birmingham slightly further away for a journey of just over two hours.

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