We know our town of Bewdley is a nice place (the name comes from 'Beau lieu' - Norman French for beautiful place) and it has an interesting history. For centuries it was an important busy river port connecting the Midlands and central Wales via 'Welch Gate' to the rest of the world, via the River Severn.

Local industries included Horn Combs, Boat Making, Capping, Carpet Weaving, Rope and Twine, Baskets and Pewter and Brass.

The rail replaced the river as the main means of transport and the Severn Valley Railway is a great day out that celebrates the golden age of steam.

Bewdley has had its share of celebrities too.
Henry VII built a Palace at Tickenhill for Prince Arthur who married Catherine of Aragon by proxy in 1499. Arthur died in 1502 and about 20 years after, Henry VIII repaired the building for his daughter Princess Mary. Stanley Baldwin the Prime Minster was born in Lower Park and the famous artist Edward Burne Jones was a regular visitor to the town.

The most important buildings are from the Georgian period, but there are some great Victorian and Edwardian houses and the famous Bewdley Bridge built by Thomas Telford. Many of the Georgian buildings hide their earlier timber-framed structures.

St Anne's church in the centre of Load Street has a magnificent West Tower and the Guildhall and Museum are great places to see and visit.

You can listen to local people talking about their lives and memories on CD's in a collection called 'Bewdley Voices' at the tourist information centre. You can also purchase a brilliant DVD called ''A guide to Bewdley' that tells you all about the town produced by Kenneth Hobson.