The adjacent meadow was once used a race course and a framed racccard of the Camp Races of 1834 hangs on the wall of the- taproom. Richard Griffiths of Thorngrove House, Grimley, a rich sportsman, was for years organiser and steward but, when there was some trouble over the hones he ran in 1834, he withdrew his support and the races came to an end. Camp Ferry was always a punt ferry and, in Victorian times, was well used by customers to the inn, for it was a popular river resort and the arbours in the pleasure garden and the cosy bars still remain. Until the 1930s, the ferry was well used by Worcester people who, strolling up the meadows on the east bank and reaching the steps opposite the Canip Inn, would shout across the river for the innkeeper to ferry them over for a drink.
The name ‘Camp’ commemorates the occasions when, in times of trouble from war or plague, the citizens of Worcester escaping from the City, camped on or near Bevere Island. The last occasion was in 1637 when the City was brought to a standstill by a devastating outbreak of Bubonic plague, commonly called ‘the Black death’. This place has seen other incidents. On September 13th, 1715, the stage wherry from Shrewsbury collided with a barge here and six lives were lost.