IT would be hard to find a riverside pub with a finer view in all England or one where life's many troubles may be so swiftly (if only momentarily) forgotten.
Summoned it seems from a picture postcard belonging to a bygone age, The King's Head in Upton sits serenely as a ship at anchor, perched high above the glittering silver ribbon of the River Severn.
An outdoor terrace and conservatory both look out upon the river (both Upton's best friend and, in times of flood, implacable foe), a perfect place to enjoy a cooling pint on a hot summer's day and watch the boats and swans glide by.
This is a family-friendly and dog-friendly pub (yes, they even do dog ice cream) where the hectic, frenetic and at times overwhelming pace of modern life gives way to a slower, softer rhythm.
However, it is perhaps the captain of this proverbial ship in Upton High Street who makes the biggest impression for licensee Alison Kiely is full to the gunwales with an infectious enthusiasm.
She is amiable, gregarious, generous and attentive to her customers, a whirlwind of energy, greeting each person warmly as they sail through the doors.
Like many pubs in Upton, The King's Head reaps the benefits of the crowds from the many festivals for which it is rightly celebrated - be it the jazz, blues, folk or Sunshine Festival.
Large windows in the main bar make the most of the light and the room has an old world grandeur about it.
This room is almost a bit too grand if truth be told. With its high ceiling, it has something of an old village hall about it.
But this is hardly a surprise when I learn this was a coaching house and the windows were once the gates through which the coaches and carriages entered and left.
The building is grade II listed, some of the timbers date back to the 17th century, although the structure has been modified over the centuries.
The snug bar is the precisely the opposite - cosy, intimate and convivial with the quality of a traditional British pub. A free jukebox with a wide selection of songs to choose from is an added bonus.
A slush machine is a new addition to the pub, something for 'children and big children' as Ali puts it.
The rhubarb and custard cider slushie for £4.80 is something unique for Upton, making use of Barbourne Cider.
One customer said it was very refreshing - once he had recovered from the inevitable brain freeze.
"I think we're the only ones that do that around here," she said.
The decision on flavour for this latest innovation is a sound one - they did their own market research when it proved the most popular flavour at the Blues Festival (it was out of the six different flavours).
Two of the popular beers are HPA and Butty Bach (Wye Valley Brewery), both £4.30 which, in the current climate, seems pretty reasonable.
However, the most popular drink is Thatcher's Zero which this year has 'outsold everything'.
"I think customers like that the pub has so much age and character and we have had customers say they have never had a warmer welcome," she said.
Ali is effusive in her praise of head chef Andy Easter who trained at Rick Stein's when he was 16.
The team prides itself on using local ingredients where possible and making food from scratch.
For example, the sausage rolls are made from Gloucestershire Old Spots, the meat supplied by Knightwick Butchers.
The chef is blessed with a deerstalking brother who supplies venison from rather further afield in Dorset.
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Perhaps one of the pub's best features is the 'Cafe by the River' which was only opened three months ago, making the most of an under-used function room.
The cafe offers a selection of hot drinks and cakes (which again are made by Ali and the team).
A children's corner with toys and games further underpins the family-friendly emphasis. It is open between 10am and 4pm seven days a week.
Afternoon tea by the river is an increasingly popular choice with finger sandwiches (smoked salmon, egg mayo and ham and mustard) and sweet treats including lemon posset, Victoria sponge, carrot cake, fruit scone, plain scone with jam and clotted cream) and a selection of teas and coffees for £15 per person.
This must be booked at least 24 hours in advance (and for at least two people).
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