by Christine Swan
I have often documented how much I enjoy rail travel. Fortunately, I live fairly close to two heritage railways but this week, I shall focus on the wonderful Severn Valley Railway.
It is just a couple of minutes walk from the modern Kidderminster station to the heritage Kidderminster Town station but a huge leap back in time once you walk through the door. The line serves a number of small towns and villages as it winds its way along the Severn Valley, providing stunning views and interesting stops along the way.
On the platform at Kidderminster Town
The origins of a railway preservation society date back to 1963 when a group formed to reopen a section of rail from picturesque Bridgenorth, that was closed in just two years earlier. Since that time, the line between Kidderminster Town to Bridgenorth has painstakingly restored and maintained. Summer 2007 was devastating for the railway as intense rain storms and ensuing flooding, caused massive damage, including several landslides and some track washing away. An appeal was launched and via donations, grants and insurance money, the railway was able to reopen in 2008.
The journey from Kidderminster to Bridgenorth is about 16 miles long and takes just over an hour. You can purchase tickets online or at the station and can buy a specific journey, or the freedom of the line, which allows you travel as you please during the day. My two most recent journeys were quite different. The first was in glorious sunshine, the most recent was more typical English summer weather.
Take your seat
The carriages transport you back to a time where everything seemed more luxurious. Sitting on a modern train seat can render you numb and uncomfortable, but here is sprung comfort. I sometimes take cushions with me on modern GWR seats which I find intolerably hard. Wood panelling, metal fittings and glass lamps add to the air of luxury. We have allowed plastic to dominate our world, to its detriment. The concept of corridors and compartments may also appear odd to younger travellers but I remember trains in my youth being similarly constructed, some without a corridor at all.
Travellers can adjust the heating to their comfort
As the train pulls out of the station, travellers can enjoy the bounce, squeak, swoosh and hiss of steam travel or the more regular motion of a heritage diesel. After leaving Kidderminster Town, the train brushes Stourport on Severn and then onto pretty Bewdley. Staring out of the window is restful and almost meditative. Put down your mobile phone, sit back and relax. Refreshments are provided in the buffet car and enjoy a good cup of tea while you travel. The line skirts around the West Midlands Safari Park providing an exotic vision of elephants, giraffes and rhinos roaming nearby.
Bewdley is worth a stop if you have purchased a freedom of the line ticket. Teddy Gray’s sweet shop at the riverside, is highly recommended as is the chip shop on the other side of the road. Bewdley Museum is interesting and there are numerous interesting shops and hostelries to explore.
The rolling Worcestershire countryside is restful to the eyes and good for the mind
Arriving in Bewdley
Looking over historic Bewdley
The next stop is Arley with a station that has featured in a number of television series and films, including the series “Oh Dr Beeching!”. Arley is a small place but worth a walk around if you enjoy the countryside.
Stunning views just beyond Arley
Highley station is the site of the Engine House, a museum and exhibition space that has a number of historic locomotives and interesting stories from the past. It regularly hosts events such as craft fairs and displays. During my last visit, a wedding was taking place. The reception was to be held on a train, with decorated tables and crisp white tablecloths.
Highley station in the rain
Unexpected item in the Engine House
Onward towards Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth
Hampton Loade is another very small place to stop. There used to be a ferry that crossed the Severn close to the station but this has not run since 2016. A cable suspended across the river kept the ferry tethered but the pushing of a rudder against the current propelled the craft across the water. It was a unique experience and I do feel that it was an important draw to people to alight at Hampton Loade and take a wander about.
Hampton Loade ferry By David Stowell, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5302170
Bridgnorth marks the end of the line. My last two journeys were chalk and cheese. My 2023 journey was in beautiful weather and my 2024 trip was in pouring rain which we hoped would pass quickly, but proved to be stubborn and refused.
Bridgnorth station in the rain
The town is divided into two halves – High Town and Low Town. Visitors need not fear that they will have to ascend by walking because the historic Cliff Railway is functioning again after being closed for over a year to repair damage to the cliff wall. Although it was originally designed to be powered by water and gravity in 1892, electric power has been used since 1944. The similar Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway in Devon is still water and gravity-powered.
The Cliff Railway
There are many interesting sites to see in Bridgnorth. The ancient castle leans at an impossible angle, fatally damaged during the English Civil War. The Town Hall dates from the seventeenth century and forms a centrepiece of the High Street. The sole surviving city gate is Northgate, now a museum.
Bridgnorth Castle – dating from 1101
The Town Hall dates from the seventeenth century
The Northgate – now a museum
One of Bridgnorth’s famous residents was Thomas Telford, famous Scottish civil engineer. Most noted for his innovative bridge designs, he also designed Bridgnorth’s St Mary Magdalene church, with its famous pepperpot top. Telford lived a short distance away in East Castle Street.
Thomas Telford’s house within eyesight of the church that he designed
East Castle Street with St Mary Magdalene at its end, visible from Low Town
The rain was relentless on my most recent trip. We took a long lunch in the Old Castle Inn before heading back to the station. This was the type of rain that penetrates everything, even if you believe that you are properly waterproofed. With wet shoes and clinging clothes, we hurried back to the station. Boarding the train was a comfort to escape the cold needles of rain.
Last year, my return journey was sun-drenched. The train was quiet and I was tired after a long walk around the town. The colours were bright and joyful, heralding long summer days ahead.
A return journey in the colours of early summer
The heritage diesel locomotive that brought me home
My sunny journey was a delight and I still remember it fondly, but even this year’s trip ended with the rain ceasing and the sun putting in a late appearance.
The steam locomotive of this year’s return journey, looking magnificent – even the sun came out!
Severn Valley Railway runs scheduled services between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, not served well by other forms of public transport. It also hosts special trains for gin-tasting, curry-eating and afternoon tea. Spooky trains, Santa Specials and footplate experiences. Above all else, it is run by people who love their job and are passionate about preserving transport heritage. If ever you find yourself in this part of the Midlands, a trip on the SVR is a must.
More information
Severn Valley Railway – https://svr.co.uk/
Visit Bridgnorth – http://www.visitbridgnorth.co.uk/
All photographs not acknowledged, are taken by the author
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