Clevelode Ferry
by
H W Gwilliam
Clevelode is a riverside village, well off the beaten track, but in medieval times the crossing must have been of
some consequence. Mrs. Berkeley gives the information that it was held by the Abbots of Westminster until the
15th century. In 1322, Isobel, widow of John Washboume, gave to Richard le Porter land in Clevelode and the
advowson of Clevelode Chapel. This is the first mention of the chapel. Habington, in his survey (160647)
reported: ‘The chapel is absolutely vanished.’ The use of the ending ‘lode’ in Clevelode is frequently used on the
Severn, and always applied to a ferry or a ford. The village was known for its basket-making and the osiers here
grow in abundance.
There was a ferry here until the 1939 War at least, but there were few who wished to cross at this place for,
though there is a good road on the west bank, there is only a footpath on the other side leading to the hamlet
of Clifton. There is no proper landing place on either side but, as with other wharfings on the Severn, coal was
brought by boat and distributed to the surrounding area. Parts of the coalyard walls still remain.
Copyright ©
H W Gwilliam
1982
Other pages in WHE
Severn Ferries and Fords in Worcestershire
Worcestershire History Encyclopaedia