Witchery Hole

Valley in Worcestershire Malvern Hills

England

Witchery Hole

Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh This impressive three storey watermill is on a milling site dating back to 1308, although the brick shell of the current mill is just over 200 years old. However some of the internal machinery and the timber frame is believed to date from around 1700.  The mill was grinding animal feed up to about 1923, after which it was neglected and left to decay. The fortunate effect of that was that the equipment was left in situ. It has now been restored by the hard work of the volunteers of the Shelsley Water Mill Society, a registered charity, who have been working on the mill since about 2006. 

The mill is on land owned by the Winnington Estate, and in an area leased to the Midland Automobile Club. This is the group that runs the famous motor sports events at Shelsley Walsh, and from whom most of the mill society's volunteers are drawn. The mill is not normally open to the public, but the Society have a website which gives further details.

<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2408824">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (2) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2408846">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (3) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935900">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (4) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935917">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (5) - part of interior, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935942">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (6) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935960">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (7) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935987">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (8) - south end of  stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2936011">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (9) - part of interior of stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2936060">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (10) - stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.

Links to further photos, please see:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2937795">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (11) - stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh Credit: P L Chadwick

Witchery Hole, located in Worcestershire, England, is a captivating valley known for its enchanting beauty and intriguing history. Nestled amidst the rolling hills and lush greenery of the Worcestershire countryside, this picturesque valley has fascinated locals and tourists alike for centuries.

The name "Witchery Hole" evokes an air of mystery, hinting at the valley's rich folklore and legends. According to local tales, the valley was once a gathering place for witches who practiced their dark arts in ancient times. These stories have contributed to the valley's allure, attracting visitors seeking a taste of the mystical.

From a geographical standpoint, Witchery Hole is characterized by its steep slopes and meandering stream that flows through its heart. The valley is blanketed by dense woodland, creating a serene and secluded atmosphere. Walking along the valley's meandering trails, visitors are treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, with vibrant wildflowers, towering trees, and the sound of birdsong creating a harmonious symphony.

Witchery Hole is also home to an abundance of wildlife, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts. Rare species of birds, butterflies, and mammals can be spotted in the valley, adding to its appeal for wildlife lovers and photographers.

Whether it be exploring the valley's mystical history, immersing oneself in its natural beauty, or simply enjoying a peaceful walk, Witchery Hole offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Witchery Hole Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.25832/-2.4066413 or Grid Reference SO7262. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh This impressive three storey watermill is on a milling site dating back to 1308, although the brick shell of the current mill is just over 200 years old. However some of the internal machinery and the timber frame is believed to date from around 1700.  The mill was grinding animal feed up to about 1923, after which it was neglected and left to decay. The fortunate effect of that was that the equipment was left in situ. It has now been restored by the hard work of the volunteers of the Shelsley Water Mill Society, a registered charity, who have been working on the mill since about 2006. 

The mill is on land owned by the Winnington Estate, and in an area leased to the Midland Automobile Club. This is the group that runs the famous motor sports events at Shelsley Walsh, and from whom most of the mill society's volunteers are drawn. The mill is not normally open to the public, but the Society have a website which gives further details.

<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2408824">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (2) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2408846">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (3) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935900">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (4) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935917">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (5) - part of interior, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935942">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (6) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935960">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (7) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2935987">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (8) - south end of  stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2936011">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (9) - part of interior of stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2936060">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (10) - stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.

Links to further photos, please see:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2937795">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (11) - stable block, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh
This impressive three storey watermill is on a milling site dating back to 1308, although the brick shell of the current mill is just over 200 years old. However some of the internal machinery and the timber frame is believed to date from around 1700. The mill was grinding animal feed up to about 1923, after which it was neglected and left to decay. The fortunate effect of that was that the equipment was left in situ. It has now been restored by the hard work of the volunteers of the Shelsley Water Mill Society, a registered charity, who have been working on the mill since about 2006. The mill is on land owned by the Winnington Estate, and in an area leased to the Midland Automobile Club. This is the group that runs the famous motor sports events at Shelsley Walsh, and from whom most of the mill society's volunteers are drawn. The mill is not normally open to the public, but the Society have a website which gives further details. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (2) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (3) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (4) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (5) - part of interior, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (6) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (7) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (8) - south end of stable block, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (9) - part of interior of stable block, Shelsley Walsh. SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (10) - stable block, Shelsley Walsh. Links to further photos, please see:- SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (11) - stable block, Shelsley Walsh.
Shelsley Watermill (2) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh The present cast iron waterwheel was ordered from Turtons of Kidderminster in October 1851. It was restored in 2007, and now has a mixture of both old and new steel buckets.

More about the mill:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2408805">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh</a>.
Shelsley Watermill (2) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh
The present cast iron waterwheel was ordered from Turtons of Kidderminster in October 1851. It was restored in 2007, and now has a mixture of both old and new steel buckets. More about the mill:- SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh.
Shelsley Watermill (3) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh This external overshot waterwheel dates from 1851, and was restored in 2007.

More about the mill:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2408805">SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh</a>.
Shelsley Watermill (3) - waterwheel, Shelsley Walsh
This external overshot waterwheel dates from 1851, and was restored in 2007. More about the mill:- SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (1), Shelsley Walsh.
Court House, Shelsley Walsh This Grade II listed building is believed to have originally been a court or manor house, but has also served as a farmhouse. Originally it was surrounded by a moat. Parts date from the 16th century and other parts from the 17th, 18th & 19th centuries. There is some timber framing in the older parts. Photographed from the grounds of the nearby Shelsley Watermill.
Court House, Shelsley Walsh
This Grade II listed building is believed to have originally been a court or manor house, but has also served as a farmhouse. Originally it was surrounded by a moat. Parts date from the 16th century and other parts from the 17th, 18th & 19th centuries. There is some timber framing in the older parts. Photographed from the grounds of the nearby Shelsley Watermill.
River Teme looking northwest from New Mill Bridge, near Shelsley Beauchamp The River Teme (Afon Tefeidiad in Welsh) rises in Mid Wales, south of Newtown, Powys, and flows through Knighton, where it crosses into England, and continues to Ludlow in Shropshire. It then continues to the north of Tenbury Wells, on the Shropshire/Worcestershire border, and eventually joins the River Severn south of Worcester.
River Teme looking northwest from New Mill Bridge, near Shelsley Beauchamp
The River Teme (Afon Tefeidiad in Welsh) rises in Mid Wales, south of Newtown, Powys, and flows through Knighton, where it crosses into England, and continues to Ludlow in Shropshire. It then continues to the north of Tenbury Wells, on the Shropshire/Worcestershire border, and eventually joins the River Severn south of Worcester.
Meadows by the River Teme at New Mill Bridge, near Shelsley Beauchamp This locality was once an important ironworking area, although nothing visible remains. Today it's difficult to imagine this as an industrial site, as it is so peaceful and rural.
Meadows by the River Teme at New Mill Bridge, near Shelsley Beauchamp
This locality was once an important ironworking area, although nothing visible remains. Today it's difficult to imagine this as an industrial site, as it is so peaceful and rural.
River Teme looking east from New Mill Bridge, near Shelsley Beauchamp The river flows into the River Severn just south of Worcester.
River Teme looking east from New Mill Bridge, near Shelsley Beauchamp
The river flows into the River Severn just south of Worcester.
St. Andrew's Church (1), Shelsley Walsh Mainly constructed from local tufa, a variety of limestone. The nave is Norman, and the chancel 13th century, but with all windows renewed at a later date. There was what Pevsner & Brooks (Buildings of Worcestershire) described as a "distinctively quirky restoration" by George Truefitt in 1859. This resulted in the addition of the pyramid-roofed timber bell-turret and north porch. He was also responsible for painting the boarded ceiling light blue, with violet stars. Unfortunately the church was closed, so it wasn't possible to photograph this remarkable feature!

<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412874">SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (2), Shelsley Walsh</a>.
<a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412895">SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (3) - north porch, Shelsley Walsh</a>.
St. Andrew's Church (1), Shelsley Walsh
Mainly constructed from local tufa, a variety of limestone. The nave is Norman, and the chancel 13th century, but with all windows renewed at a later date. There was what Pevsner & Brooks (Buildings of Worcestershire) described as a "distinctively quirky restoration" by George Truefitt in 1859. This resulted in the addition of the pyramid-roofed timber bell-turret and north porch. He was also responsible for painting the boarded ceiling light blue, with violet stars. Unfortunately the church was closed, so it wasn't possible to photograph this remarkable feature! SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (2), Shelsley Walsh. SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (3) - north porch, Shelsley Walsh.
St. Andrew's Church (2), Shelsley Walsh The church grounds are very attractive, and beautifully kept.

Other photos of the church:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412843">SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (1), Shelsley Walsh</a>.
St. Andrew's Church (2), Shelsley Walsh
The church grounds are very attractive, and beautifully kept. Other photos of the church:- SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (1), Shelsley Walsh.
St. Andrew's Church (3) - north porch, Shelsley Walsh This porch was one of the additions made in 1859 by George Truefitt, as part of his "restoration" of the church. There is unfortunately a reflection from the camera lens iris in this photograph.

Other photos of the church:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412843">SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (1), Shelsley Walsh</a>.
St. Andrew's Church (3) - north porch, Shelsley Walsh
This porch was one of the additions made in 1859 by George Truefitt, as part of his "restoration" of the church. There is unfortunately a reflection from the camera lens iris in this photograph. Other photos of the church:- SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (1), Shelsley Walsh.
New Mill Bridge near Shelsley Beauchamp This bridge carries a minor road to Shelsley Beauchamp across the River Teme. It was rebuilt in 1931 by the Worcestershire County Council. It is made of stone, with wrought-iron balustrades. New Mill doesn't seem to exist anymore. Possibly it was connected with the ironworking industry, which used to be around here long ago.
New Mill Bridge near Shelsley Beauchamp
This bridge carries a minor road to Shelsley Beauchamp across the River Teme. It was rebuilt in 1931 by the Worcestershire County Council. It is made of stone, with wrought-iron balustrades. New Mill doesn't seem to exist anymore. Possibly it was connected with the ironworking industry, which used to be around here long ago.
All Saints Church (2) - lychgate, Shelsley Beauchamp The lychgate dates from around 1887.

More photos of the church:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412966">SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp</a>.
All Saints Church (2) - lychgate, Shelsley Beauchamp
The lychgate dates from around 1887. More photos of the church:- SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp.
All Saints Church (3), Shelsley Beauchamp The church has a medieval font, dating from the 12th or 13th century. Much else inside is Victorian.

More photos of the church:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412966">SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp</a>.
All Saints Church (3), Shelsley Beauchamp
The church has a medieval font, dating from the 12th or 13th century. Much else inside is Victorian. More photos of the church:- SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp.
All Saints Church (4) - porch, Shelsley Beauchamp The porch with entrance door is on the south side of the church.

More photos of the church:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412966">SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp</a>.
All Saints Church (4) - porch, Shelsley Beauchamp
The porch with entrance door is on the south side of the church. More photos of the church:- SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp.
All Saints Church (5) - remains of old cross, Shelsley Beauchamp All that remains of a 15th century cross, in the churchyard, is the octagonal stepped base. What is now on top of it, is a 17th century sundial, which is badly weathered. The original cross may have been removed or destroyed in the religious strife of the 16th and 17th centuries.

More photos of the church:- <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2412966">SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp</a>.
All Saints Church (5) - remains of old cross, Shelsley Beauchamp
All that remains of a 15th century cross, in the churchyard, is the octagonal stepped base. What is now on top of it, is a 17th century sundial, which is badly weathered. The original cross may have been removed or destroyed in the religious strife of the 16th and 17th centuries. More photos of the church:- SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), Shelsley Beauchamp.
The road from Shelsley Beauchamp to New Mill Bridge This minor road was photographed from the churchyard of All Saints Church, Shelsley Beauchamp.
The road from Shelsley Beauchamp to New Mill Bridge
This minor road was photographed from the churchyard of All Saints Church, Shelsley Beauchamp.
The Shelsleys Village Hall, Shelsley Beauchamp The hall serves the residents of the three villages of Shelsley Beauchamp, Shelsley Kings and Shelsley Walsh. As can be seen, the hall has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The Shelsleys Village Hall, Shelsley Beauchamp
The hall serves the residents of the three villages of Shelsley Beauchamp, Shelsley Kings and Shelsley Walsh. As can be seen, the hall has recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Show me another place!

Witchery Hole is located at Grid Ref: SO7262 (Lat: 52.25832, Lng: -2.4066413)

Administrative County: Worcestershire

District: Malvern Hills

Police Authority: West Mercia

What 3 Words

///swooned.fulfilled.cashew. Near Collington, Herefordshire

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