Bridgnorth Low Town

Several eighteenth century writers compared Bridgnorth with Old Jerusalem and its situation is, indeed, spectacular. The influence of the past is all around the visitor to an historic town such as this. The medieval castle, Victorian shop fronts, steam railway, elegant promenade, river-port, timber-framed houses and inns are all encountered. In fact, Bridgnorth is one of the most picturesque and fascinating towns in Shropshire, renowned as ‘the cradle of the Industrial Revolution’ and where the Parish Church itself was designed by the eighteenth century engineer Thomas Telford and stands at the end of an elegant eighteenth century street. The county has retained many of its historical features and much of the charm celebrated by writers such as A.E. Houseman, Mary Webb and even P.G. Wodehouse is still strongly apparent.
The River Severn divides Bridgnorth and the rare ‘two town’ configuration is almost unique in England.

Historically, Bridgnorth is made up of two towns, the High Town set on a sandstone ridge on the western side of the river and the Low Town on the same river’s eastern bank.

The upper part, High Town, clings to a tall sandstone cliff, honeycombed with caves and steep winding streets. Donkey steps and a Victorian funicular railway connect with Low Town and the Quayside. From High Town’s Castle Walk there are stunning views of wooded countryside claimed by Charles I to ‘be the finest view in all my kingdom’. Green riverside pastures and high outcrops of warm red rock enhance the landscape. The standard gauge Severn Valley Railway operates steam train services throughout the year carrying passengers for sixteen glorious miles along the riverside track to Kidderminster. This steam railway is frequently used as a location for both films and television. The town itself is full of historic buildings, with character pubs and riverside walks, parks and flower filled open spaces. In addition there are colourful street markets and truly individual shops that are light years away from the more usual shopping precincts.

Sabrina Fountain in the Castle grounds

Bridgnorth is a thriving market town both for the weekly livestock market and for the main Saturday market when stalls line the entire length of the High Street selling a multitude of goods and a large general market is sited in the Whitburn Street car park. There are additionally markets beneath the Town Hall which is built on stilts in the High Street on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year and Sundays and Bank Holidays during the summer months.

For the past nine years Bridgnorth has entered the regional arm of the national Britain in Bloom competition and during the summer months each year the town is a sea of colour. The town has won the Best Town category for the Heart of England five times, culminating in winning the National Final in 2002. The onset of summer generates a huge community spirit with many businesses and local groups working together to make the town as beautiful as possible. The primary and secondary schools all participate. All the schools send entries for the painting competition and the secondary schools help with the planting of flower boxes for the town bridge. This contribution is not only greatly appreciated but additionally helps to provide a sense of ownership to the youngsters. In 2003 Bridgnorth was selected to represent Great Britain in the European arm of the competition and judges from fifteen European countries descended on the town to assess the results of months of hard work. This entry resulted in a silver award.