North Worcestershire Tours and Attractions

North Worcestershire Tours and Attractions Guide

Worcestershire mainly lies between the majestic Malvern Hills and the mellow Cotswolds and offers many attractions for the tourist to enjoy apart from its beautiful countryside.

ON AND BEYOND THE FRINGE OF THE COTSWOLDS

KIDDERMINSTER  AREA  OF NORTHERN WORCESTERSHIRE - JOURNEY TIME FROM WORCESTER. Approx 20 Minutes - Distance 15 Miles- Take the A449 Road.

Suggested day tours -

SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY - Kidderminster Worcs.

This is a full size standard gauge line which has regular steam - hauled passenger trains travelling between Kidderminster Worcestershire and Bridgnorth  in Shropshire, it is for the benefit of both Tourists and enthusiasts.

The journey through beautiful countryside is one of much interest, passing through ‘olde worlde stations now much forgotten in this modern age , it is very much a journey of nostalgia to older people and a journey of discovery to the young.

One of the many interesting points on the trip is the river crossing by means of the Victoria Bridge , this has a huge 200 foot single span high above the water.

It is possible for passengers to break their journey at any station and to join a later service if they wish., there is a Restaurant Car for those who wish to have refreshments.

Car parking facilities are available at Kidderminster, Bewdley and Bridgnorth stations. Details of the timetable can be obtained by telephoning 01299 401001.

Severn Valley Railway which has featured in TV and many films, was started in 1965  by a group of enthusiasts ,it was after the line’s closure in 1963 that this group with the late Sir Gerald Nabarro M.P. (for Kidderminster later to be for South Worcestershire). started the campaign to reopen the line.(Sir Gerald lived at Broadway for many years).

For more information - Severn Valley Railway.

WEST MIDLANDS SAFARI  PARK

Situated between Kidderminster and Bewdley. on the A456 road. The Safari park which opened in 1970 has proved to be a popular attraction to visitors from all regions, it has many rare breeds of animals and has a drive-through system.

There is a Children’s Zoo and pleasure park and picnic area. A Sea Lion display takes place daily during the season. The  family of Hippo‘s is the largest family group in the country. The whole of the area was once part of the estate of Spring Grove House, with lakes and a wooded landscape. Refreshments are available. See website - www.wmsp.co.uk.

SPRING GROVE HOUSE - Within the Safari Park.

This elegant house that was once the home of Major Harcourt Webb is now used for functions and corporate events.

On Sunday’s Luncheons are available , diners are able to have access to the Safari Park with no additional charge.

BEWDLEY - 3 Miles South West of Kidderminster

A town that once belonged to the Marches of Wales, it was made part of the County of Worcestershire in the time of Henry VIII.

Situated by the river Severn it attracts many visitors to the riverside walks.

A museum in the Shambles provides an added interest. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1st,  Bewdley was noted for the manufacture of caps and in fact it was a punishable  offence not to wear one. There are many Pubs and Restaurants.

RIBBESFORD  BEWDLEY - Signposted in Bewdley - A Riverside drive

Whilst in the Bewdley area a journey to the Church of St.Leonard’s is worthwhile , there are a number of unusual features , wooden pillars which resemble stonework, carvings on the pulpit are based on Folk tales and feature a dancing pig playing bagpipes and a fox preaching to geese from Aesop’s Fables. Rudyard Kipling was married in the church.

St Leonard’s still use the 1662 book of common prayer

RIBBESFORD HOUSE

The House is 18/19th Cent., stands next to the church and was a Head Quarters for  the Free French Army Headed by General Charles De Gaulle during World War II.

KIDDERMINSTER

The birthplace  in 1795 of  Rowland Hill (later to be Sir) founder of the penny postage system in which came into being in 1840.

Carpets have been made in the town since 1735 and cloth manufacture took place as early as 1356, the town has a modern shopping centre, with many eating places.

ST. MARY’S  AND ALL SAINTS  CHURCH - KIDDERMINSTER
Signposted off the Ring road.

The largest parish church in Worcestershire , a church in which Richard Baxter was preacher for some 20 years (Richard Baxter was chaplain to the Royalist Army during the civil war).

St.Mary’s  is well worth a visit , built in stone and in the Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular styles it dates from 15th /16th centuries and consists of a Chancel with Aisles and Vestry a Clerestoried Nave and Aisles , there are many memorials and effigies, the stained glass windows are superb , the tower is embattled with pinnacles and houses 12 bells.

Each Mid-Summers day an ancient custom is enacted in the Chantry , this is known as the Church Street Supper. ( or peace and good neighbours supper) Tradition is that male neighbours living in Church Street would meet each year for the purpose of settling any differences, they would drink a pint of ale together and smoke a pipe of tobacco this custom had been maintained since beyond living memory.

In 1776, the will of John Brecknell who died in 1778 which was dated 4th December 1776 bequeathed £150-00 for the continuance of these meetings and also provided for the distribution of 1 two-penny plum cake to each child or unmarried person that is born in or is an inhabitant of church street.

HARVINGTON  HALL - Situated  3 Miles south-east of Kidderminster signposted off the A448 road.

This ancient structure was once the seat of the Corbett family, it was mainly constructed in the 16th century and was a refuge for Roman Catholic Priests, there are many priest hides to be seen .

In 1696 the Hall passed into the ownership of the Throckmorton family of Coughton Court Warwickshire who owned it until 1923.

Father Wall the Catholic martyr who was executed at Worcester in 1679  officiated here during the 17th century. In the nearby churchyard there is a memorial crucifix to Father Wall 

A moat surrounds the hall.

Refreshments are available in a Restaurant.

STOURPORT ON SEVERN   - Approx  3 Miles from Kidderminster  take the A451 Road.

Stourport was once a Market town and as such dated back to 1768, many examples of Georgian architecture are to be seen, the town attracts many visitors , Riverside walks, Boat trips and Funfair arcades do much to draw people to the area.

It is the junction of the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal with the River Severn , once  its main function was that of commerce but now leisure craft can be seen negotiating the Locks and the river, the Severn has been used since Roman times for the carriage of goods.

The canal was built by James Brindley in 1771 for the purpose of serving industry (Iron Foundries, Tanning, Carpets) In the future there are plans to develop the Canal Basin , with further  facilities for visitors. There are many eating places about the town.

Ancient Stone Carving in the Church of St.Leonard’s
depicting Judgement Day by the sorting the sheep from the goats.

Worcestershire Tours and Attractions Information Guide