THERE must be something magnetic about this traditional village pub - certainly, the landlord thinks so because he decided to return to this home from home with his family after many years away.

Tucked away off a quiet village road, the Old Bush in Upton Road, Callow End appears before the visitor like a mirage of a bygone England emerging from the shadow of the Old Hills.

Worcester News: DEPTHS: Amy Dowd is one of the joint managers at 'The Shop at the Top' on the site of the Old Bush pub in Callow End DEPTHS: Amy Dowd is one of the joint managers at 'The Shop at the Top' on the site of the Old Bush pub in Callow End (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

And when you learn more about the place, that sense of fascination only seems to grow for there is more than meets the eye - a lot more. For a start, the free house was saved by 'people power' who were determined to see it keep its place at the heart of village life.

Like a Russian doll of sorts, this is a place with hidden depths and many layers which you can peel away to reveal new, wholly unexpected secrets and very pleasant surprises.

Worcester News: BEAUTIFUL: The Old Bush in Callow End is tucked away off the main road, making for a tranquil setting BEAUTIFUL: The Old Bush in Callow End is tucked away off the main road, making for a tranquil setting (Image: Supplied by Matt Williams)

I mean, how many pubs do you know that also have a coffee shop, campsite, glamping pods, a children's play park while also hosting an award-winning blues festival?

I would guess your answer would be 'not many'. 

Worcester News: SPACE: The massive beer garden is an ideal spot in summer at the Old Bush in Callow End SPACE: The massive beer garden is an ideal spot in summer at the Old Bush in Callow End (Image: Supplied by Matt Williams)

 You may have heard of the saying 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' - but at the Old Bush they take this even further.

Worcester News: SURPRISE: The Shop at the Top deli and cafe is tucked away near the Old Bush in Callow End SURPRISE: The Shop at the Top deli and cafe is tucked away near the Old Bush in Callow End (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

They have their own aviary with budgies, finches and ornamental pheasants. Close by is the 'Shop at the Top', a deli and cafe which opened during Covid. Open 8.30am to 5pm every day, it is run by joint managers Amy Dowd and Jean Hughes and offers lunches, tea, coffee and cake.

Matt Williams, the landlord, returned to run it in 2015 as a free house after previously running it as a tenant for the brewery Marston's in the 1990s when Martin Weston, the Worcestershire cricketer, opened the pub.

Worcester News: LEGENDS: The Old Bush is something a shrine to the great Worcestershire cricketers of the past including Damian D'OliveiraLEGENDS: The Old Bush is something a shrine to the great Worcestershire cricketers of the past including Damian D'Oliveira (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mr Williams left in 1996 to run a pub in Hampshire but made his return when the villagers of Callow End got in touch when the owner gave them a three-year lease before they bought the lease with the help of villagers. 

Mr Williams drove down from Hampshire to attend a meeting in October 2014, taking the pub over again in January 2015 as he made his return with wife Karen, the pub's chef, and 19-year-old daughter Shana. 

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They took over after signing a three-year lease with the owners Jon and Guy Davies of Worcester, who had bought the pub from the brewery Marstons in 2014.

The lease had an option to buy, and Mr and Mrs Williams have now invoked that option and bought the pub outright.

Worcester News: IDYLLIC: The glamping pods near the Old Bush are another unique feature of this pub in Callow EndIDYLLIC: The glamping pods near the Old Bush are another unique feature of this pub in Callow End (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

"It's a great pub. It's the atmosphere, everything really. It's tucked away with a big garden. It's an advantage being tucked away. Most of the pubs that close down have been on the main road. A lot of people call us a hidden gem in reviews," he said.

Worcester News: MUSIC: The 2024 Bush Blues Festival takes place this August MUSIC: The 2024 Bush Blues Festival takes place this August (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

The patio and campsite were built shortly after his return. It is a pub with history too - the front part of the pub dates back to 1854. The Old Bush has a big bar, previously installed by the brewery. There is a dining room with a kitchen behind it.

"What makes it a success is a combination of good food, good beer and a good atmosphere," he said.

Worcester News: TRADITIONAL: Old Bush in Callow End, near Worcester TRADITIONAL: Old Bush in Callow End, near Worcester (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

There is something of the eclectic collector about Mr Williams - there is plenty of cricketing memorabilia, much of it about Worcestershire County Cricket Club. 

There are murals and photos featuring the likes of Ian Botham, Damian D'Oliveira and Vanburn Holder, all former Worcestershire players (Mr Holder also visits the Bush sometimes). 

One of the big draws is the 2024 Bush Blues Festival which offers three days of continuous live music, food, and an extensive array of local beers, ales, ciders, and wines from noon until 11pm between August 16 and 18. 

The festival features 28 bands across three covered stages. County and district councillor Tom Wells spearheaded a bid to have the Old Bush declared an Asset of Community Value, which was approved, after which the owners agreed to lease the pub to Mr and Mrs Williams on advantageous terms.