Flooded Severn Ham, Tewkesbury

The Severn Ham is a piece of pasture in a loop of the River Severn at Tewkesbury. During the dry months sheep are kept on the Ham. However, when the rivers Severn and Avon that flow through Tewkesbury burst their banks it becomes a shallow lake with none of the pasture visible. Today it is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with protection afforded to the flora and fauna that thrive on this interesting piece of land. On  a recent visit to the town we found the Ham under water. This photograph was taken from a slightly higher area of the pasture, looking back at the town and its abbey.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

The Severn Ham

The Severn Ham at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, isn't a culinary dish but rather is 170 acres of common land, low lying pasture, in a bend of the River Severn with the River Avon as its border on the other side. The word "Ham" occurs in a number of English place names and derives from an old name for a piece of land located in this manner which often floods. The Severn Ham spends most of the year growing grass and a wide variety of wild flowers, as well as providing habitat for birds such as lapwings and curlews - it is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Parcels of 30 acres are rented out for the grazing of sheep. For the rest of the year the Ham is covered to a greater or lesser degree by water that might otherwise cause damage to the town. When this happens the common takes on the appearance of a large lake with only the line of telegraph poles that cross it indicating the water's temporary presence. The Abbey Mill and sluice control room (see previous post) can be seen on the left.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2