There is a tradition that the Roundheads holding the high ground at Timberdine before the Battle of Worcester enjoyed their ale here, and that Samuel Butler, the author of Hudibras, stayed there and, in the parlour overlooking the ferry, wrote what has been described as the most brilliant of satirical works ever produced in this country. in the 19th century, the gardens had become a miniature Vauxhall, with pleasure gardens, bowling alleys and dancing greens, a very popular resort not only for people on both sides of the river, but with the citizens of Worcester, for it was a favourite walk along the river bank where the trees of Pylgrove made it a place of great beauty. The ferry has gone and the riverside path has been obliterated. The inn was shoddily rebuilt in the l930s, and the gardens became a car-park. So much for progress.
There were often long delays for vessels at this ford. Before the building of the locks, the Ketch ford was a great hazard to navigation at low water and a channel was dredged 45 feet wide with perpendicular sides. Two vessels were unable to go through side by side, and there were numerous incidents at the ford.