Bewdley

Bewdley is a small riverside town and civil parish in the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire, England, along the Severn Valley a few miles to the west of Kidderminster and 22 miles south west of Birmingham. It lies on the River Severn, at the gateway of the Wyre Forest national nature reserve, and at the time of the 2011 census had a population of 9,470. Bewdley is a popular tourist destination and is well known for its attractive riverside, music scene, famous Bewdley Bridge designed by Thomas Telford, range of independent shops and high standard of educational provision at secondary school level. Bewdley is home to the Severn Valley Railway and the West Midlands Safari Park, both of which are sign posted on all motorways running through the Midlands.Town geographyThe main part of Bewdley town is situated on the western bank of the River Severn, including the main street — Load Street — whose name derives from lode, an old word for ferry. Load Street is notable for its width: this is because it once also served as the town's market place. Most of Bewdley's shops and amenities are situated along Load Street, at the top of which lies St Anne's Church, built between 1745 and 1748 by Doctor Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden.