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Shipston-upon-Stour, whose name is descriptive of its situation upon that river, is in the parish of Tredington, lying quite detached from the body of the county, and occupying an extent of nine miles in length, and nearly two in breadth, along with Tidmerton, Aldermaston, &c.

This town is situated in a very improved district, consisting in general of small fields and small farms, well cultivated; even the pastures are enclosed by neat hedge-rows; and the whole shew that considerable attention is paid to agriculture. Yet the town cannot boast much of its appearance, having a great number of small poor looking houses, with streets badly paved; whilst the stone walls, and the thatch in some places, give it a cold bleak appearance. Tredington is the mother church; of course this is but a chapel or chantry. The town formerly belonged to the priory of Worcester, and is now the property of the Dean and Chapter.

Several attempts have been made to establish manufactures, but without any permanent success. A Mr. Harte once carried on a considerable work in the manufacture of Shaggs, and is said to have realized a fortune of 20,000l; three-fourths of which he bequeathed to a nephew, an condition of his carrying on the trade for the benefit of the place, on which principle he himself is said to have done it for several years: but the nephew soon found out some more profitable mode of disposing of the money.

The Market is on Friday: and here are two annual Fairs; one on the 22d of June; the other on the first Tuesday after the 10th of October; and both for horses, cows, and sheep.

Source: A Topographical and Historical Description of the County of Worcester, by Mr. Laird. Printed for Sherwood, Neely, and Jones, Paternoster Row; and George Cowie and Co. successors to Vernor, Hood, and Sharp, 31, Poultry, London. Printed circa 1814.