Shelsley Beauchamp

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.

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.

This external overshot waterwheel dates from 1851, and was restored in 2007. More about the mill:- SO7263 : Shelsley Watermill (1), 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.

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.

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.

The river flows into the River Severn just south of Worcester.

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.

The church grounds are very attractive, and beautifully kept. Other photos of the church:- SO7262 : St. Andrew's Church (1), 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.

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.

The church is medieval but was mainly rebuilt by James Cranston of Oxford in 1846-47. The tower is 14th century. SO7362 : All Saints Church (2) - lychgate, Shelsley Beauchamp. SO7362 : All Saints Church (3), Shelsley Beauchamp. SO7362 : All Saints Church (4) - porch, Shelsley Beauchamp. SO7362 : All Saints Church (5) - remains of old cross, Shelsley Beauchamp.

The lychgate dates from around 1887. More photos of the church:- SO7362 : All Saints Church (1), 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.

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 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.

This minor road was photographed from the churchyard of All Saints Church, 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.