Bewdley - Severnside North

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Many thanks to The Cock and Magpie for facilitating this camera's location and to The Severn Rivers Trust for capitally funding its installation.Bewdley Bridge, an impressive three-span masonry arch bridge, spans the River Severn. The history of this location reveals a series of bridges, with each one being destroyed and subsequently replaced. The previous bridge, consisting of five pointed stone arches, was destroyed in a severe flooding event in 1795. During the English Civil War in 1644, the Royalists had also damaged one of the arches, which was later rebuilt using timber. The River Severn holds the distinction of being the longest river in Great Britain, stretching approximately 220 miles. Originating from an elevation of 2,001 ft on Plynlimon near Llanidloes in the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales, it flows through Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, passing by the county towns of Shrewsbury, Worcester, and Gloucester. With an average discharge of 107 m³/s at Apperley, Gloucestershire, the Severn boasts the highest water flow among rivers in England and Wales.
Bewdley, located on the banks of the River Severn, is a town and civil parish within the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire, England. Situated in the scenic Severn Valley, it lies 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Kidderminster and 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Birmingham. The town serves as the gateway to the Wyre Forest national nature reserve. As of the 2011 census, Bewdley had a population of 9,470 and has gained popularity as a tourist destination, renowned for its notable landmarks such as the elegantly designed Bewdley Bridge by Thomas Telford and the well-preserved Georgian riverside.The central part of Bewdley town is positioned on the western bank of the River Severn, encompassing the prominent Load Street, which serves as the main thoroughfare. The name "Load" derives from its historical association with a ferry crossing. Load Street is noteworthy for its ample width and has historically served as the town's bustling marketplace. Most of Bewdley's shops and amenities are concentrated along this street. At the top of Load Street stands St Anne's Church, an architectural gem constructed between 1745 and 1748 by Doctor Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden.Extending beyond the church, High Street leads southward towards Stourport along the B4194, colloquially referred to as "the switchback" due to its numerous sharp bends. Interestingly, High Street derives its name not from commercial significance but from its elevated position above the river—a characteristic uncommon in many English towns.On the western side of the church, the B4190, known as Welch Gate within the town limits, ascends steeply westward, granting access to the southern portion of the enchanting Wyre Forest. Dowles Road, a continuation of the B4194, stretches northwest to Button Oak, tracing the eastern and northeastern fringes of the Wyre Forest. Northeast of the town, one can find the wooded hilltop of Wassel Wood in Trimpley, marking the southern terminus of Shatterford Hill.Between Stourport and Bewdley, the vicinity is adorned with several grand country houses. Notably, Witley Court, Astley Hall, and Pool House hold significant historical and architectural importance.