Arlingham Tourist Information

Arlingham is a delightful unspoiled village in the Horseshoe Bend of the River Severn. Off junction 13 of the M5, head for Frampton on Severn then go straight through the village, keep left over the canal and keep going for about 3 miles through the countryside, catching glimpses of the mighty Severn on your way. You eventually arrive at the Arlingham village sign just over the top of a small hill that sticks up out of the valley plain.

A few hundred yards further the village proper begins. If you are in need of sustenance, you will be pleased to see the village pub, the Red Lion, straight in front of you at the village crossroads. As well as a good selection of Real Ales and other drinks, it is possible to get a reasonable meal at a reasonable price.

Straight on leads you in about a mile of dead straight road to the banks of the River Severn. Opposite is the town of Newnham dominated by its church on the cliff with the backdrop of the Forest of Dean behind. The River is very wide here and the Parish Council has provided a seat for the weary traveller to enjoy the view. This is one of the easiest spots from which to watch the beginning of the Severn Bore, but be prepared to leave the seat and go back to the raised bank because the land between the bank and the river will be flooded at high tide.

Almost on the river bank you will find the Old Passage Inn, which has a mainly high class fish menu. Both the village hostelries have letting rooms and there is a bed and breakfast at Putchens, back inland on Barrow Hill.

There was originally a ford and later a rowing ferry boat here at Arlingham Passage, sadly both long gone. It is said that St Augustine the first Bishop of Canterbury, crossed the Severn here to meet the Welsh Bishops for the Synod of the Oak, the first ecumenical conference. On your way done Passage Road from the village to the Passage, you will have passed St Augustine's Farm, which takes its name from the famous visit. The farm is a typical Severn Vale working farm that threw its doors (Gates?) open to the public in 1988 and now has Family visitors all summer long. Kids love it! It also has an educational element and hosts school parties as well.

Back in the village, if you turn down High Street you will find you can drive in a loop and pass houses, farms and the chapel before returning to the village centre. Go the other way down Church road and you will find the church with its single handed clock. Keep going and the road will get smaller and smaller eventually becoming a track leading to the river again. On the road back out of the village you will pass Overton Lane on your left, which will lead you up Barrow Hill. You will need to walk the last bit to the top but it is worth it because, being in the horseshoe bend, there are long distance views up and down the Severn. Arlingham is ideal walking country and guides for way-marked footpaths are available from the pubs and elsewhere

Description by Rob Jewell