Running a total distance of 16 miles
between Kidderminster in
Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in
Shropshire, as its name suggests,
this charming heritage railway
closely ‘hugs’ the meandering course
of the River Severn for most of its
length. Given the fact that there
are very few roads running along
this valley, some of the stunning
views afforded by the steam-hauled
passenger trains are exclusive to
the railway.
The valley scenery epitomizes the
quintessential ‘English Rose’ type
of beauty of this delectable, rural
corner of England. The six
immaculately restored stations are
the embodiment of ‘picture postcard’
perfection. Abounding in resplendent
floral displays, captivating old
signs and posters and intricately
painted benches and lamps, they
simply ‘ooze’ nostalgia. What better
backdrop could there possibly be for
a fleet of heritage locomotives and
their handsome carriages?
We had been attracted to the ‘SVR’
having avidly followed the BBC
comedy series “Oh Dr Beeching!”,
parts of which (external shots) were
filmed along this line,
concentrating for the main part on
Arley Station (known as Hatley in
the series) and its environs. Our
little ‘OTRBOTer’ is the biggest fan
(quite sophisticated taste for a 4
year old!) and, as such, was so keen
to view the ‘home’ of one his
favourite programmes. He certainly
wasn’t disappointed!!!
Our mesmerizing journey along the
‘SVR’ started at the Worcestershire
end of the line. A seamless
transition, consisting of just a few
steps (literally only a short
distance of 50 metres!) led us from
Kidderminster’s modern, functional
main-line railway station into the
wonderful ambience of yesteryear at
the SVR’s southern terminus.
In an instant, the visitor finds
their feet negotiating uneven
cobbles and their eyes enraptured as
they feast on the sight of the
fantastically preserved booking
office, vast concourse bursting with
delights and long, elegant
platforms! With its authentic old
shop-fronts, luggage carts and
retrospective signage and décor,
this station has been recreated to
perfectly capture the spirit of this
railway in its ‘hey day’!
Just 3.5 miles along the line lies
the lovely Georgian town of Bewdley,
with its equally alluring station.
Another marvellous example of a
heritage station (and really quite a
large one too!) ‘honed’ to absolute
perfection, immaculately groomed
with an astoundingly meticulous
attention to detail. Gorgeous old
canopies, a stunning over-rail
footbridge and platforms one could
spend hours on, adorned with
fascinating wooden ‘cubicle’ type
waiting shelters bedecked with a
myriad of nostalgic signs and
posters.
Arley (of the aforementioned ‘Oh Dr
Beeching!’ fame) is the next
beguiling chapter in this tale of a
half dozen delights! Flooding with a
cascade of bounteous floral
displays, painted to perfection,
with a ravishing rural backdrop all
framed by the most exquisite
hump-backed brick bridge at the
northern end of its platforms, Arley
lies indisputably at the pinnacle of
the ‘olde-worlde’ quaintness
heritage station scale!
Next stop is Highley, a fascinating
station boasting both man-made and
natural attractions within easy
walking distance. Just a short
stroll from the effervescent River
Severn, Highley is also blessed with
a tranquil and lush arboretum and,
in recent years, an exciting new
building has been added to its list
of treasures too!
‘The Engine House’ lies a few yards
across the tracks from Highley
Station and houses the SVR’s rather
impressive reserve collection of
steam locomotives as well as
entertaining exhibitions, a shop and
tea-rooms affording stunning views
over the Severn Valley. We
thoroughly enjoyed our diversion
into this absorbing new attraction!
The enchanting station of Hampton
Loade is our next port of call. A
serene haven for picnics or wanders,
this petite station also provides
visitors with the opportunity to
experience a most intriguing and
unique feature! Indeed, at Hampton
Loade one can ride the last
current-powered passenger ‘foot
ferry’ in existence in the UK across
the Severn to the Dudmaston Estate.
Now managed by the National Trust,
the estate proliferates rich,
verdant gardens and woodland
surrounding the glorious 17th
Century mansion Dudmaston Hall.
On departure from Hampton Loade a
relaxing 5 mile stretch of sheer
railway pleasure ensues before the
line reaches its climax at the
wonderful Shropshire town of
Bridgnorth. We could not possibly
extol the virtues of this tremendous
place sufficiently in this short
piece, but suffice to say that this
exciting terminus is the gateway to
a gem!
Once a thriving port and still
enveloped in a cape of historical
charm, Bridgnorth is uniquely
‘tiered’, with the High and Low Town
layers connected by the steepest
inland railway in Britain. Intrigued
to know more?
Th
