A frosty morning in Croome Park
Castle / RuinVisit

Boathouse

in Kinnersley

📷 Photo by Philip Halling · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

As you explore the western reaches of the Cotswolds near the River Severn, you'll come across a striking building that appears to belong to the medieval period.

Look closer, though, and you'll realize it's actually an early 19th-century folly—an ornamental boathouse constructed for a grand estate. Known locally as The Boathouse, it sports proper battlements and turrets designed to evoke an ancient fortress, all executed with a playful theatrical flair. The building is credited to Robert Mylne, the distinguished architect renowned for his bridge and waterway designs, which lends genuine sophistication to what is fundamentally a rather imaginative creation.

You won't be able to enter as it stands on private land, but it's certainly worth seeking out. The finest views come from the water itself—many people spot it while cruising or kayaking along the Severn. You can also catch views from public footpaths on the opposite bank or from certain vantage points along the A38, making it an amusing landmark to watch for during a drive through the region. If you're spending time nearby, Upton-upon-Severn sits just to the south and makes a pleasant riverside stop with solid facilities, while Worcester to the north is a larger historic city with considerable attractions to occupy your time.

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Reference & sources
52.09883°N, 2.17757°W Data: osm