Worcestershire Walks, Powick

A 7m circular walk in December 2004 from the Church of St Peter at Powick, Ham Hill, across the River Teme at Powick Bridge, along the Teme to the confluence with the Severn, North along the Severn to Worcester Bridge, Worcester Cathedral, along the Severn to the A38 and back across the fields to Powick. Weather cloudy and warm for December.

www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101166920-church-of-st-peter-and-st-lawrence-powick#.WvN019MvwW8

www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101166920-church-of-st-peter-and-st-lawrence-powick#.WvN019MvwW8

www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101166920-church-of-st-peter-and-st-lawrence-powick#.WvN019MvwW8

“A former water mill, next to Powick Bridge, was converted in 1894 to become the world's first combined steam/hydro electric power station. Electricity from this mill provided about half the city of Worcester's needs. The Powick site continued generating until the 1950s. When it closed, it was converted into a laundry and has since been converted into residential apartments. The site was chosen as a mill site from at least the 11th century, and very probably earlier than that. The mill leat was dug in 1291. A succession of water mills replaced each other throughout the Middle Ages and into the 16th century and later. The mill is a Grade II Listed Building.”

“In 1642 the bridge was the scene of one of the very first skirmishes between Royalist and Parliamentarian soldiers in the English Civil War in what became known as the Battle of Powick Bridge. It was a short, sharp, but decisive cavalry engagement that resulted in a victory for the Royalists and showed the Parliamentarian cavalry their shortcomings, setting the tone for the early stages of the conflict. A long ballad gives a surprisingly detailed account of the battle.”

“In 1642 the bridge was the scene of one of the very first skirmishes between Royalist and Parliamentarian soldiers in the English Civil War in what became known as the Battle of Powick Bridge. It was a short, sharp, but decisive cavalry engagement that resulted in a victory for the Royalists and showed the Parliamentarian cavalry their shortcomings, setting the tone for the early stages of the conflict. A long ballad gives a surprisingly detailed account of the battle.”