Bewdley

Bewdley sits on a bend of the River Severn in north Worcestershire, right where the town's elegant Georgian terraces meet the edge of the Wyre Forest. It was built on the river trade of the 17th and 18th centuries, and that prosperity left behind a run of handsome brick townhouses, a fine parish church and a compact centre that has changed remarkably little in two hundred years. Locals have long called it one of the most complete small Georgian towns in the county, and walking along Severn Side you can see why: the river, the arched bridge and the terraces form one continuous, unbroken picture.

What makes Bewdley more than just a pretty face is what surrounds it. To the west, the Wyre Forest spreads out as one of the largest ancient semi-natural woodlands in England, threaded with walking and cycling trails. To the north, the preserved steam trains of the Severn Valley Railway pull in and out of Bewdley's own restored station. And a few miles east, West Midland Safari Park draws families from across the region. It is an unusually good combination for a town of its size — heritage, wildlife and woodland all within a short drive or a pleasant walk of the town centre.

Top things to do in Bewdley

Bewdley rewards a slow visit. Most of what's worth seeing is within walking distance of the river, and a day here can easily mix a steam train ride with a forest walk and a pint by the water.

• Severn Valley Railway — Bewdley station is one of the principal stops on this 16-mile heritage line between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, with vintage steam and diesel locomotives running through the Severn valley.
• Bewdley Museum — housed in the old Butchers Shambles building, this small local museum covers the town's river trade, crafts and history, with demonstrations from resident craftspeople and a garden behind.
• Wyre Forest — one of England's largest surviving areas of ancient woodland, with waymarked trails for walking and cycling and a visitor centre on the Callow Hill side.
• West Midland Safari Park — a drive-through safari and adventure park a short distance from the town, home to lions, giraffes, rhinos and rides.
• Georgian riverside architecture — the terraces along Severn Side and the elegant town bridge, engineered by Thomas Telford, are worth simply walking and taking in.
• St Anne's Church — the 18th-century parish church that dominates the top of Load Street, the town's main shopping street.
• Go Ape Wyre Forest — treetop rope courses and zip wires set among the forest a short drive from town, popular with families and older children.

Getting to Bewdley

Bewdley lies just off the A456, a few miles west of Kidderminster and around 20 miles south-west of Birmingham, making it an easy drive from most of the West Midlands. Kidderminster has the nearest mainline railway station, with regular services to Birmingham and beyond; from there it is a short taxi or bus ride into Bewdley, or you can extend the journey by riding the heritage Severn Valley Railway straight into the town's own station. There is no direct mainline station in Bewdley itself, so most visitors arrive by car or combine a mainline train with the heritage line.

Best time to visit Bewdley

Bewdley suits a visit at almost any time of year. Late spring and summer bring the busiest riverside atmosphere, with outdoor seating at the pubs along Severn Side, the safari park at its liveliest and the forest in full leaf. Autumn is particularly good for Wyre Forest, when the ancient woodland turns gold and the walking trails are quieter. Winter has its own appeal too, with the Severn Valley Railway running seasonal steam services and the town's Georgian streets looking especially handsome under a low sun. Because the town sits directly on the Severn, it is worth checking river levels before a visit in wet periods, as parts of Severn Side can flood after heavy rain.

Where to stay in Bewdley

The town itself has a small clutch of riverside inns offering rooms, along with bed and breakfasts in the surrounding Georgian streets. For those wanting more space or a rural setting, the countryside around Bewdley and the Wyre Forest has a growing number of glamping sites, safari tents and holiday cottages, many aimed at families visiting the safari park or walkers exploring the forest. Kidderminster, a short drive away, offers a wider range of chain hotels for those wanting more choice.

Food and drink in Bewdley

Bewdley's riverside makes an obvious setting for its pubs and restaurants. The Mug House Inn, a Georgian riverside inn on Severn Side, serves locally sourced food alongside real ales and rooms looking straight over the water. The Cock & Magpie, also on the riverbank, is known for its live music and gin selection. The Black Boy on Wyre Hill is reckoned to be the town's oldest pub, run as a family free house. Load Street and the surrounding lanes add independent cafés, bakeries and a scattering of restaurants, making the town a pleasant place to eat well without straying far from the water.