Attractions and Places To See around Grafton Flyford - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Grafton Flyford include a blend of historical sites and natural features. This picturesque village in Worcestershire, England, offers a serene escape with ancient landmarks and natural beauty. Visitors can explore a rich history and diverse landscapes within and immediately surrounding the village, making it a notable destination for those interested in cultural heritage and outdoor exploration.
Best attractions and places to see around Grafton Flyford
- The most popular attractions is Worcester Cathedral, a historical site that has been a significant place of worship for over 14 centuries. This Grade I-listed structure showcases various styles of English architecture, built between 1084 and 1504.
- Another must-see spot is Pershore Old Bridge, a historical site and bridge. Originally constructed in the 1400s, it served as a key crossing point for traders and has undergone numerous repairs and rebuilds over centuries.
- Visitors also love Diglis Weir and Worcester Riverside Path, a trail offering views across the River Severn. This multi-use path provides a relaxing experience with scenery including Worcester Cathedral and the weir.
- Grafton Flyford is known for historical sites, religious buildings, and natural monuments. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient churches to tranquil woodlands.
- The attractions around Grafton Flyford are appreciated by the komoot community, with 124 upvotes and 42 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: October 18, 2026
Worcester Cathedral
Highlight • Historical Site
Showing Translation
Tip by
Pershore Old Bridge
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Diglis Weir and Worcester Riverside Path
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
Tip by
St John the Baptist Church, Grafton Flyford
Highlight • Historical Site
The church, with the exception of the 14th-century tower, was entirely rebuilt in 1875, but the old work appears to have been very largely re-used. The modern work is already getting into a very bad state of repair.
The chancel has a 15th-century east window of three lights with a segmental pointed head. In the north wall is a square-headed 14th-century window of two ogee trefoil-headed lights. In the south wall are two square-headed two-light windows and a priest's door, mostly modern. On this side is a single sedile with a cusped head, and near it a pointed piscina with the bowl missing. An internal string-course, largely modern, is carried round the chancel. The chancel arch is of two chamfered orders dying into the wall; the voussoirs are small and regular and are of late 13th or early 14th-century date.
In the north wall of the nave is a pointed 14thcentury arch of two chamfered orders opening into a small chapel with a single-light window on the east and west. Further west is a pointed window of the same date with two lights and a traceried head. In the south wall are two windows, each of two lights and similar to that on the north of the chancel; between them is a plain pointed door. All these features have apparently been restored and reset.
The 14th-century tower is faced with ashlar and three stages high with low diagonal buttresses to the western angles of the ground stage. The tower arch is acutely pointed and of two chamfered orders. This stage rests on a deeply moulded plinth and has a pointed 15th-century west window of three cinquefoiled lights. The second stage is lighted by loops only, but the third stage has a pointed 14th-century window of two trefoiled ogee lights in each face. The parapet is embattled, with carved gargoyles at the angles of the string and panelled and crocketed pinnacles rising above them. From within it rises a low octagonal pyramid of stone capped by a truncated pinnacle set diagonally.
The fittings include a 17th-century communion table with turned legs, a 15th-century semi-octagonal pulpit (on a modern base) having a moulded rail and traceried heads to the panels, and a modern font. In the north chapel is a broken marble monument to Roger Stonehall, who died in 1645. Under the tower are roughly designed paintings on boards of the evangelistic symbols with black letter labels, perhaps of the 16th century; here is also a painted achievement of the royal arms of Charles II inscribed 1687 C.R. In the tracery of the east window are some fragments of 15th-century glass tabernacle work and in the north chancel window are two shields, one with the arms of Mortimer and the other imperfect with those of Beauchamp. In the west window are fragments of white and yellow 15th-century glass in the tracery.
There are five bells, all cast by John Martin in 1676: the tenor is inscribed, 'All men that here my roring sound repent before you ly in ground, M. Robert Baker 1676'; the fourth, 'We wish in heven theer souls may sing that caused us six here for to ring, Amell Doxly, Richard Haynes C.W. 1676'; the third, 'Be it known to all that doth wee see John Martin of Worcester, he made wee 1676'; the second, 'All prayse and glory be to God for ever 1676'; and the treble, 'Jesus be our good speed, God Save the King 1676.'
The plate includes a cup and cover paten, London, 1571, and a plate, London, 1679, inscribed 'Grafton Flyford.'
The registers are in one volume as follows: baptisms 1676 to 1813, burials 1676 to 1812, marriages 1678 to 1777.
Tip by
St Peter's Church, Inkberrow
Highlight • Religious Site
The earliest remaining architectural feature in the church is the north doorway, which dates from the 13th century. When the north aisle was added to the church around 1480, the old doorway was moved outward and re-used.
The north aisle contains several wall monuments, and was originally shorter than its current length. A fellowship centre has been created, restoring the north aisle to the purpose for which it was originally built.
The north chapel, also called St Catherine's or the Lady Chapel, is part of the original church structure. It used to be fully enclosed, and was originally the vestry. The east wall contains remnants of a 15th century stained glass window. To the left of this window, beneath an 18th century wall monument, is a shallow recess for a figure.
The chapel contains a Tudor altar table, and the church's remembrance book.Early in the 16th century the north aisle was extended over the vestry and a wide archway opened into the chancel. The chancel was rebuilt in 1390. In 1887, the east and south walls were again rebuilt. The south wall was moved outward a few inches, the chancel arch was reconstructed using the old stones, and the roof was renewed.
The stained glass windows of St. Peter and St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi and St Anne, date from 1899 and 1920 respectively.
Mr. Sneyd-Kynnersley was a churchwarden and trustee of the church charity, and the Hunt family were benefactors of the church.
The south transept may have been added as a chantry chapel shortly after 1357 to pray daily for the souls of members of the Colman family. It may have been the original St. Catherine's chapel.
Alternatively, it may have been built around 1390 by the Savage family of Dormston. Whatever its origins, only the original arch remains. The Chapel was rebuilt, and probably extended to its current size in 1784.
The altar tomb of painted white marble is to the memory of John Savage who in 1609 bought the manor of Edgioke just outside Inkberrow village but within the parish bounds. He died on the 22nd December 1631. On the base is his effigy in full armour. The hands and feet are missing, believed to have been vandalised by Cromwell's troops. On the sides of the base were the kneeling figures of his ten children, some of which have been removed. On top of the arched canopy are three small figures representing 'Time', 'Hope' and 'Faith', together with the Savage coat of arms.
The nave was part of the original structure, but was altered sometime between 1390 and 1420. The windows in the south wall are 15th century. The one nearest to the tower contains some stained glass of that period. In 1839, new box pews were installed bringing the seating capacity of the church to 504. By 1887, the church had become so damp that a complete restoration was required. The rotten wood of the floor was renewed, and several 17th and 18th century headstones were laid in the floor.
The font dates from around 1200 AD, and being square is typical of a late Norman font. In 1839, it was cleaned and placed under the arch linking the chancel to the south transept, near the pulpit. It was moved to its current position opposite the south door of the nave in 1887.
The tower is three storeys high and was built shortly after 1420 by the Dyson family. The west window which cannot be seen from inside the church, and the west doorway are 15th century. The organ is housed on a raised platform on the ground floor, with the clock and bell ringers' chamber on the second floor, and the church's six bells on the third. The tower was restored in 2000.
In 1887, the internal gallery was removed and the archway opened out to reveal the original 15th century west window. It was enclosed again in 1940 when the early 19th century organ was installed. The gallery was re-instated at the same time.
Legend refers to 'Intebors ting-tangs' (small bells) suggesting that the Saxon church had bells. The earliest mention of bells in the current church is in 1544, when Margaret Hunt bequeathed money for the casting of bells. The six bells were recast and made heavier in 1868, at a cost of £ 170. In 1658 20 shillings was provided for a person to ring the bells every Lord's day. This was equivalent to a labourer's wages for six weeks. In 1768, three shillings was spent to provide ale for the bell ringers, equivalent to around 125 pints.
A wooden board lists the parish vicars since 1268. Seven vicars of Inkberrow died during the years 1349, 1361, 1362 and 1369, the times that the Black Death ravaged England. Due to their vocation of visiting the sick, administering the last rites and burying the dead, many priests died during times of plague. In the diocese of Worcester, 80 clergymen died of plague between March and September 1349.
The original 13th century vestry was located where the current St. Catherine's chapel is. It was moved to its present position in 1968, and screened off using 17th century oak panelling. On the south side of the screen, Charles I is depicted in armour before the battle of Edgehill. It is interesting to note that Charles' head is severed from his body.
The stained glass in the window in the west wall of the vestry is 15thcentury, and depicts St. Catherine and another saint, crowned and holding a staff. Such fragments are rare. In 1547, following the Reformation, King Edward VI ordered that no images of saints should remain in churches, even in glass. Due to the cost of the wholesale removal of all stained glass windows of saints, they were only replaced once they had decayed.
Outside the main body of the church, the north porch was added during the 15th century. It contains a memorial stone to Thomas Dyson dated 1651. A wooden plaque to the right of the door commemorates the 1887 restoration.
The arch over the outer entrance has carved stops depicting human heads. The left hand gargoyle is holding a leather bottle typical of the period. The rest of the porch was re-built using the original stones in 1887. On the outer wall of the vestry, a straight line can be seen in the stone work (14) where the north aisle was added to the church in 1480.
It has been estimated that in excess of 20,000 bodies have been laid to rest in Inkberrow churchyard. Despite Kington and Dormston having their own ancient churches, where baptisms and marriages were performed, the dead from these parishes were buried at Inkberrow until 1837. In addition, the churchyard of St. Peter's served as the burial ground to St. Paul's, Cookhill, until the consecration of its burial ground in 1932. St. Peter's burialground was extended to the south-west in 1857 and to the north-east in 1945.
To the rear of the church, on the outer wall of the south transept, there is a "mass clock" (15). This is a semi-circular sun dial scratched on the wall. This was used to indicate the times of services in the days before mechanical clocks. Its position close to ground level suggests that it belongs to an earlier structure, which was re-used when the south transept was re-built in 1784. The engraved GH above the mass clock is the remnant of an inscription GH 1814, the significance of which is not known.
When the north aisle was extended over the original vestry around 1480, the vestry was rebuilt askew from the original foundations. This can be seen in the lower courses in the outside of the east wall of the north chapel (16).
To the front of the church, the lych-gate was erected in 1919 as a war memorial. It contains two plaques to the Inkberrow men who died in the first and second World Wars. The sundial close by is believed to be the one bought in 1705 to replace the previous sundial which had been stolen from the churchyard.
On 10th May 1645, King Charles I slept in the vicarage on a tour through Worcestershire. He left behind one of his map books, which is now in the custody of the vicar and stored in the County Record Office. His soldiers' wages were lost, buried somewhere in or near the village. In retribution for housing Charles, Cromwell is reputed to have burned the vicarage down.
Tip by
Sign up for free to discover even more attractions around Grafton Flyford.
Already have an account?
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Tips from the Community
Sadly, doors locked, so internal investigations are impossible.
0
0
Beautiful medieval bridge over river Avon. Incredibly well preserved given its age.
0
0
The old bridge is picturesque, and its also a great place to while away an hour or two by the river.
0
0
The Cathedral – i.e. a bishop’s church – in the city of Worcester is a very historic building with an almost thousand-year-old Christian tradition. The construction of this house of worship was begun as early as AD 1084, shortly after the Norman conquest of England (by William the Conqueror, formerly Duke of Normandy, then King of England, AD 1066). This house of worship and thus the entire diocese has, which is by no means unusual for Anglican cathedrals, been entrusted to a double patronage: firstly Jesus Christ himself, the God-son incarnate, and secondly the most blessed Mother of God and Virgin Mary.
2
0
A super nice cycleway that goes along the banks of the Severn and beyond. The surface is super good and avoids busy road sections. A good alternative if you were doing the LEJOG like us.
0
0
Quiet Anglican church with some gorgeous mosaics inside. Nice brown signpost on the nearest A-Road, so you won't miss the turn.
0
0
Built by the order of Norman kings, astonishing place for history lovers. A tomb of King John is located inside of the cathedral. Additionally, the top is also worth checking, but it is better to double check opening hours.
0
0
Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore in and around Grafton Flyford?
The region offers several significant historical sites. You can visit Worcester Cathedral, a Grade I-listed building with architecture spanning from 1084 to 1504. Another notable site is Pershore Old Bridge, originally built in the 1400s and a key crossing point for traders. Within Grafton Flyford itself, explore St John the Baptist Church, a Grade II* listed building with elements from the 13th and 14th centuries. Additionally, the earthworks of a deserted medieval village lie to the north-west and north-east of the church, offering a glimpse into the past.
Are there any natural attractions or woodlands to visit near Grafton Flyford?
Yes, Grafton Wood Nature Reserve is a prominent natural attraction. This ancient woodland is renowned as the sole colony of brown hairstreak butterflies in the Midlands and is managed for its rich wildlife. You can also experience the scenic Diglis Weir and Worcester Riverside Path, which offers relaxing views across the River Severn.
What kind of outdoor activities can I do around Grafton Flyford?
The area around Grafton Flyford is excellent for outdoor activities. You can find numerous routes for both cycling and hiking. For cycling, explore options like the 'Kemerton Coffee House – Stone Ford and Bridge Crossing loop' or 'Short Uphill Section loop'. Hikers can choose from easy routes such as 'St Peter's Church, Abberton – Wooden Bridge Near Flyford loop' or more moderate trails like 'Grafton Wood Nature Reserve – Grafton Wood loop'. More details on these activities can be found in the Cycling around Grafton Flyford and Hiking around Grafton Flyford guides.
Are there family-friendly attractions in the Grafton Flyford area?
Many attractions in the Grafton Flyford area are suitable for families. Worcester Cathedral offers an impressive historical experience. Pershore Old Bridge is a great spot with a popular nearby picnic area. The Diglis Weir and Worcester Riverside Path provides a relaxing multi-use path along the river. St John the Baptist Church and Grafton Wood Nature Reserve also welcome families to explore their historical and natural beauty.
What is the history behind St John the Baptist Church in Grafton Flyford?
St John the Baptist Church is a Grade II* listed building with parts dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries, including its 14th-century tower. Although significantly rebuilt in 1875, many older materials were reused. Inside, you can find a 15th-century east window, fragments of 15th-century stained glass, and five bells cast in 1676. It has been a place of worship for centuries, reflecting the village's rich heritage.
What makes Grafton Wood Nature Reserve special for wildlife enthusiasts?
Grafton Wood Nature Reserve is an ancient woodland and a crucial habitat. It is particularly famous for being the sole colony of brown hairstreak butterflies in the Midlands. Beyond butterflies, the wood supports other woodland species like silver-washed fritillaries and white admirals, as well as a diverse flora including herb-Paris and violet helleborine. Birds such as buzzards and woodpeckers are regularly seen, and Bechstein’s bats have also been discovered here.
Are there easy walking trails near Grafton Flyford?
Yes, there are several easy walking trails around Grafton Flyford. You can find routes like the 'St Peter's Church, Abberton – Wooden Bridge Near Flyford loop' which is approximately 7.5 km, or the 'Grafton Wood – Grafton Wood Nature Reserve loop' at around 5.5 km. These trails offer accessible options for a leisurely stroll through the countryside. For more details, refer to the Easy hikes around Grafton Flyford guide.
What can I expect to see along the Diglis Weir and Worcester Riverside Path?
The Diglis Weir and Worcester Riverside Path offers classic, relaxing views along the River Severn. As a multi-use path, it provides scenic vistas including Worcester Cathedral and the historic Diglis Weir. It's a great spot to enjoy the river scenery and observe local wildlife.
What is the significance of Pershore Old Bridge?
Pershore Old Bridge, dating back to the 1400s, was historically a vital crossing point for traders traveling between London and Worcester. It has undergone numerous repairs and rebuilds over the centuries, reflecting its enduring importance. Today, it stands as a grand structure and is a popular starting point for walks, with a nearby picnic spot.
What is the best way to experience the historical depth of Worcester Cathedral?
Worcester Cathedral is a magnificent structure with a Christian tradition spanning over 14 centuries. To experience its historical depth, take time to admire its various styles of English architecture, built between 1084 and 1504. The cathedral features a beautiful Norman crypt and an unusual chapter house. Its facade was even featured on a former £20 note.
Are there any pubs or cafes near the attractions in Grafton Flyford?
Grafton Flyford village is known for its quaint cottages and traditional pubs, which offer a warm welcome to visitors. While specific establishments are not detailed in the guide, the village itself provides options for refreshments and a traditional English experience after exploring the local attractions and walking routes.
Can I find information on longer or more challenging hiking routes in the area?
Yes, for those seeking more challenging hikes, the Hiking around Grafton Flyford guide offers moderate routes. Examples include a longer 'Grafton Wood – Grafton Wood Nature Reserve loop' of nearly 11 km, or a 12.7 km loop from Upton Snodsbury to Grafton Wood. These routes provide a more extensive exploration of the local landscape.
What kind of historical remains can be found from the deserted medieval village near Grafton Flyford?
To the north-west and north-east of St John the Baptist Church, you can find the earthworks of a deserted medieval village. These remains, designated as a scheduled monument, include enclosures that were once gardens or paddocks, house platforms, sunken trackways, remnants of five ponds, and an area of medieval ridge and furrows, offering a fascinating archaeological insight into past life.
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
Explore more
Still not found the Highlight you’re looking for? See guides of the top attractions in other regions:
