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 Bridgnorth
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Bridgnorth dates back
to Saxon times, and established at a strategic crossing place
on the River Severn. It later became a thriving commercial
river port and finally the busy market town of today.
Brignorth is really two towns:
'High Town' perched a hundred feet above 'Low Town' on the
banks of the River Severn.
The two towns are joined by seven
ancient flights of steps up the sandstone cliffs and the steep
old Cartway, along which goods were once hauled up to the
market in High Town.
Most people,locals and tourists
alike, find it easier to use the Bridgnorth Cliff Railway,
the oldest and steepest inland funicular railway in England.
High Town has retained many of
its fine 17th and 18th century timbered and red-brick buildings. The
curious town hall in the High Street was built on a sandstone-arched
base that straddles the road.
Bridgnorth Castle was largely
destroyed during the Civil War but part of the keep has survived. The
Parliamentarian's unsuccessful attempt to blow up the fortification
left it leaning at an alarming angle, even greater than the
Tower of Pisa. The castle grounds are now a park and
there are magnificent views along the Severn Valley from Castle
Walk. Charles I declared that the view from here to
be 'The finest in all my kingdom'.
An iron footbridge nearby leads
to the terminus of the Severn Valley Railway. This full-size
standard-gauge passenger railway runs 16 miles through the
beautiful Severn Gorge to Kidderminster in Worcestershire.
The interesting church in East
Castle Street was designed by the great engineer, Thomas Telford.
Try a visit to the facinating
Costume and Childhood Museum, in New Market Building, which
has a collection of costumes, dolls and toys, together with
a Victorian nursery, all assembled by four generations of
one family.
On the outskirts of the town
is Daniel's Mill, a picturesque working cornmill still powered
by its large waterwheel, is worth a visit.
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Map of Bridgnorth |
What
To See -
Bridgnorth Tourist Attractions
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 Bridgnorth
Costume and Childhood Museum, New Market Building, Listley
Street, Brignorth,
a collection of costumes and fashion
accessories from the Victorian era to 1960 assembled by 4 generations
of a local family. Dolls and toys collection with a reconstructed
Victorian nursery. Visitors can usually watch reproduction dolls
being made with craft demonstrations at the weekends and bank
holidays. Collection of 700 minerals from all over the
world. Cafe and shop.
Open: Mon-Sat 10:30-16:30, Sun 11:00-16:30. Closed Thur &
24 - 30 Dec. Tel: 01746 764636  |
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Bridgnorth
Castle, a small
12th century great tower built in the time of Henry II.
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Daniel's
Mill, Eardington, just north of Brignorth, in a secluded
setting by Oldbury Viaduct on the Severn Valley Railway.
Owned by the same family since 1771, the mill has been carefully
restored. The 38 ft iron waterwheel is the largest powering
a working cornmill in England. Produces wholemeal flour
which visitors can purchase. Guided tours are available,
exhibition of domestic bygones and machinery. Cafe and
shop.
Open: from Easter-September on Wed, Sat and Sun 11:00-16:00
(Bank Holiday Mon 11:00-16:00) Tel: 01746 762753
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Severn
Valley Railway, Bridgnorth, probably Britain's leading
full-size standard-guage steam railway, the Severn Valley
Railway operates a passenger service between Bridgnorth and
Kidderminster in Worcestershire.Constructed in 1858-1862 it
is preserved thanks to the dedication of unpaid volunteers. The
16 mile journey follows the River Severn for most of its way.
A highlightis crossing the Severn on the Victoria Bridge,
a 200 ft (60 m) single span above the river. Services
run every weekend and daily at peak times. Santa special trains
in December. Refreshment cars. Tel: 01299 403816 for
a timetable
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Ashley
Abbots, Lavender Farm and Gardens, just north of Bridgnorth,
off B4373, a 'pick your own' lavender farm that produces varieties
of lavender in a 4 acre field. Bee village, where visitors
can view honeybees and bumblebees at work through an infra-red
viewing screen. Nearbygarden with trees, a herb section
with over 100 different varities is a feature. Cafe and
farm shop.
Open 10:00-17:00 daily during July and Aug when the lavender
is in bloom. At other times of the year open by appointment
only. Tel: 01746 763122 Free admission to lavender farm but
charge for gardens.
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Rays
Farm and Country Matters, Billingsley, near Bridgnorth,
a traditional livestock farm with horses, donkeys, cattle,
sheep, goats and pigs and small animals. Plus unusual
animals such as llamas, alpacas, otters and deer. Woodland
walks and a woodcarving trail.Cafe, gift shop, indoor and
outdoor picnic areas.
Open: March- third week in Nov, daily, 10:00-17:30.
Dec: open for Father Christmas (closes at dusk). Jan;
closed, Feb: weekends and school holidays. Tel: 01299 841255
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Brown
Clee Hill, off B4365, south west of Bridgenorth, at
1,805 ft (550 m) this is Shropshire's highest point.
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Severn
Valley Country Park, Alveley, on A442, south east,
is on both side of the River Severn, 180 acres created from
the spoil heaps from the Highley Colliery which closed in
1969. Woodlands, ponds, meadows and river walks and the Severn
Valley Railway runs adjacent to the site, and Country Park
Halt (a request stop) was opened. Between the river and the
railway are woodland, around here coal was loaded onto to
railway waggons. Across the river on the east bank is the
main part of the park, witha visitor centre having educational
and natural history displays. The main areas of the park are
joined by the former miner's bridge. Oned part of the park,
detached from the main area, lies nearer the preserved Highley
Station (also on the Severn Valley Railway). From here a Discovery
Trail leads to the centre of the former mining village. Trails
and plenty of picnic places. Visitor Centre open Wed-Sun and
Bank Holidays, 12:00-17:00 , Apr-Oct, and 11:00-4.00 , Nov-Ma.
Tea shop is open weekends, from 14:00-17:.00. Tel: 01746 781192
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Dudmaston
Hall, Quatt, nr Bridgnorth, WV15 6QN, 4
miles south-east of Bridgnorth, on A442, a
late 17th century manor house housing collections of paintings,
sculpture, botanical art, 20th century painting and sculpture,
including works by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore. Landscaped
parkland with views over 3,000 acres of farm and woodland.
Terraced lawns stretch down from the house to the lake.Open
2005 : House: 27Mar-28Sep: Tue,Wed,Sun 14:00-17:30; Garden:
27Mar-28Sep: Mon, Tue.Wed,Sun 12:00-18:00 Tel :01746
780866
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Shipton
Hall, Shipton
Shropshire TF13 6JZ,
west from Bridgenorth on B4368, an
Elizabethan manor house - built around 1587 by Richard Lutwyche. At the end of the 19th century
it passed to the great-grandfather of the present owner.The
house is still a comfortable family home.Features
unusual off-centre tower tower,
circular dovecote, stable block,
interior reflecting the taste of the 18th century.Open:
27Mar-30Sep, Thu, Bank Hol Sun, Mon, 14:30-17:30 Tel: 01746
785225 |
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Where
To Stay in Bridgnorth
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Guest
Houses, Bed & Breakfasts, Inns and Other Hotels
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Buttonoak Highley Bridgnorth DY12 3HW
Manor Holding, hidden in the tranquil Forest of Wyre, has a sheltered south facing garden and ample car parking. Fallow deer frequent its wild flower meadows and ancient orchards. Sleeps 4
More... |
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Around
The Bridgnorth Area
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Tourist Information on Nearby Towns To Visit - straight line distance:
Broseley (5.94 miles) Ironbridge (6.91 miles) Much Wenlock (7.18 miles) Shifnal (9.25 miles) Wombourne (9.83 miles) Telford (9.88 miles) Perton (9.99 miles) Kinver (10.17 miles) Codsall (11.36 miles) Bewdley (11.89 miles) Kidderminster (12.36 miles) |
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Our
Hotel Booking Line
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Call
0870 4786316
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