Severn Valley

From Stourport-on-Severn south to Gloucester, the riverside has a much larger flood plain and loses its distinctive "valley" hillsides found a few miles north in Bewdley.

The Severn Valley was under the rule of Ceawlin of Wessex after the Battle of Deorham in 577 AD as part of the Kingdom of Hwicce.

The area is typified by a substantial river bed with deep fast-flowing channels, surrounded by a small flood plain and rolling wooded hills.

During periods of low water (typically August), fording the river is occasionally possible at almost any point along the Severn Valley, notably near the old bridges at Bridgnorth and Bewdley, and at the appropriately named Quatford.

At mid and high water, fording is dangerous due to deep, fast-flowing and often non-visible river channels.