|
This
busy market town of Dursley lies beneath the Cotswold
Edge, overlooking the Vale of Berkeley and the River Severn.
Dursley
grew to prominence with the local wool industry and also acted
as the market centre for the whole of the Vale of Berkeley.
The town later became an important industrial centre and today
is home to the engineering firm Lister-Petter Ltd.
At the
heart of the town is the Market House, dating from 1738,
which also acts as Town Hall. The upper part of this charming
building is supported by pillars and has a bell turret, and
the east face bears a statue of Queen Anne.
Standing
opposite the Market House is the parish church of St James
the Great, dating back to the 13th century. A spire once
soared above the tower but this collapsed on the bell-ringers
in the 17th century and was never replaced.
Surrounded
by impressive beech woods, Dursley is popular with ramblers
as the Cotswolds Way passes right through the town.
Nearby
is the famous Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust founded
by Sir Peter Scott in 1946.
|
the internet holiday and travel guide to the UK
Dursley
Slimbridge
Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Dursley, GL2 7BT, Established
in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott, this world-famous centre is the
headquarters of the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT). The award-winning
visitor centre overlooks the nationally and internationally
protected wetlands on the shores of the River Severn. The 120
acre site is an important wintering area for both local and
migrating waterbirds and also houses the WWT's species conservation
programme. The Sloane Observation Tower boasts the best view
of the Severn in the whole of Gloucestershire. Open: daily
all year 09:30-17:00 (Nov-Mar 09:30-16:00 ) Closed 25 Dec.
Tel: 01453 890333 
