Fretherne History

On the banks of the River Severn, Fretherne had a church, St. Mary the Virgin, the third church on this site. St. Mary the Virgin church is considered to be an outstanding example of early Victorian architecture. Built in 1847 by the Reverend W. Darell who, also as a squarson, built Fretherne Court (now known as Fretherne Nurseries), a school, various other properties and also employed many local people.

Close to Fretherne Church is a footpath which will take you to the river and the Hock Cliff which is a source of fossils, both ammonites and the fossil known locally as “devils toenails” which can easily be collected.