Ribbesford Conservation Area
Draft Character Appraisal
Consultation on the Draft Ribbesford
Conservation Area Character Appraisal has now closed.
All responses received will be considered by the District Council's
Cabinet in March. Further updates will appear
here.
View the
Draft Ribbesford Conservation Area
Appraisal 
(4.78MB)
View the
summary leaflet (1.78MB)
Conservation Area Background
Ribbesford Conservation Area was designated in 1991. It
comprises a small rural hamlet with buildings dating primarily from
the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries, set in the valley of the
River Severn against a steep wooded hill-side.
The Church of St. Leonard (Grade I) forms the focal point of the
hamlet. It is constructed of sandstone, with parts dating from the
twelfth, fifteenth and nineteenth centuries. The Church is set in a
Churchyard containing trees, including old yew, and edged with a
sandstone wall and hedge.
Close to the Church is Home Farm. This includes a red brick
farmhouse and group of large sandstone barns, including a tythe
barn, which have been converted to dwellings.
To the south of the above group is Ribbesford House (Grade II*); a
large country house of red brick (rendered) erected during the
16th. Century, with alterations during the 17th. and 19th.
Centuries. A particularly striking feature of the house is two
octagonal towers to the south front capped with domes, adding to
its landmark character. The house is set in a large landscaped
garden and originally had a narrow circular moat, and fish pond,
the remains of which can still be seen. Ribbesford House was used
during the World War II as a base for the Free French Army and a
plaque adjoining its front porch lays testament to this fact,
adding to its historical significance.
The principal building materials in the Conservation Area are red
brick and sandstone, and red-brown clay plain roof tiles.
There are open fields between Ribbesford House and the Ribbesford
Road to the east. This affords glimpses of the House from the
Ribbesford Road, and is an important component of its setting and
that of the Conservation Area. The principal means of access to the
hamlet is via an unmetalled track, which leads off the Ribbesford
Road. This track is lined on both sides with an attractive avenue
of mature horse chestnut trees, and also affords glimpses across
the open fields towards the House. To the north of the unmetalled
track, the Ribbesford Road curves sharply west and affords views
across open fields towards the group of barns adjoining Home Farm,
forming an important component of the setting. A second unmetalled
track provides access into the northern side of the hamlet. To the
west of the Conservation Area, the ground rises up moderately
steeply, and is mainly wooded but with a few small fields
immediately behind the Church. This hillside forms an important
green backdrop to the western side of the Conservation Area.
The Worcestershire Way regional recreational footpath runs through
the Conservation Area, adding to its public profile. This route
passes along the unmetalled track to the north, past the Church and
up the hillside to the rear of the Church. At the latter point, on
the edge of the Churchyard, a bench affords a view-point for
looking eastwards over the Church and Conservation Area, to the
Severn Valley beyond. An alternative spur to the above route takes
the walker from the Riverside and along the chestnut-lined track
before linking to the Churchyard.
Numerous deciduous trees throughout the Conservation Area add
significantly to its character, opening and closing seasonal views
and providing seasonal variations in colour.
A small car parking area is provided in the middle of the hamlet
for visitors to the church. This facility is informal in its
layout, appearance and use of materials, which minimises its
impact. There is an absence of street lighting in the Area, which
helps it retain a rural and uncluttered feel.
