“In summertime on Bredon
The bells they sound so clear;
Round both the shires they ring them
In steeples far and near,
A happy noise to hear.”

Like AE Housman in his famous poem ‘Bredon Hill’ I too heard the clear peel of bells as I explored the village of Bredon’s Norton, and the golden grass all around me was certainly evidence enough of a hot summertime. I even had my loves with me, except it my case it was my three hounds.

Bredon’s Norton is a small parish on the slopes of the Hill, the last western bastion of the Cotswolds looking to the Vale of Evesham and the Severn Valley. Its first mention was in the Domesday Book: “Durand holds 2 hides also of this manor at Bredons Norton. He has 1 plough and 2 smallholders with 1 plough, a meadow, 6 acres. The value was and is 20 shillings.” One of its more notable inhabitants was Victoria Woodhull, an American who came to live in Norton Park, a Victorian Manor House that sits above the village, through marriage. She was notable for being a passionate campaigner for women’s suffrage in the US and actually ran for the presidency in 1872. Rich through both her own exploits and by marrying into the Martins banking family, she was a admired benefactor of the village, gifting every child there a pair of boots and a small toy at Christmas time.

Eckington sists in the valley beyond, close to the River Avon and is best known for its bridge on the road to Pershore. Built in 1720 it is a Grade II Listed Building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. And it also inspired a poem, Upon Eckington Bridge. River Avon by A.T. Quiller-Couch. Next to it is a popular wharf on a summer’s day, no longer used to transport goods to the village, instead an excellent spot to launch your paddleboard and have a picnic afterwards. But enough of all that, here are the doors!