Tourist Information
Welcome to Wyre Forest
The area takes its name from The Forest of Wyre, once a medieval
hunting forest, now a popular visitor attraction. The three main
towns of Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn and several
surrounding villages like Arley, Rock, Chaddesley Corbett and
Wolverley make up the district.
The area has some of the best attractions in the Midlands from
an exciting safari and leisure park to Britain’s premier steam
railway, from a medieval manor house to a delightful walled garden
brimming with unusual plants and shrubs.
Many colourful and lively events take place throughout the year
including steam galas, riverside festivals and regattas, open air
concerts and family activity days.
With so much variety and such wonderful attractions you’re sure
to find something for everyone.
Wyre Forest Attractions Leaflet
A tourism guide to the Wyre Forest District has been
prdocued which provides information on the District's main
attractions.
Click to view
the Wyre Forest District's attractions leaflet 
(1,195K)
Please click on the web links provided for each attraction for
direct access to their website.
Bewdley
(Population 10,869 – 2001 Census)
Once described as “the most perfect small Georgian town in
Worcestershire”, situated on the banks of the River Severn and on
the edge of the Forest of Wyre, Bewdley offers much to delight the
visitor. A good choice of pubs, cafes and restaurants are to be
found around the riverside and central shopping area.
The 18th Century church of St Anne dominates the main street
with its many tiny shops, antiques and craft galleries. The old
Butchers Shambles now houses the town’s local museum and the
Tourist Information Centre.
Main Events:
January - Duck Race
May day weekend - Beer Festival
May - Raft Race
May - Pub and Club Regatta
June - Bewdley Carnival
June - Mayors Sunday Parade
July - 6-a-Side Cricket
July - Bewdley Regatta
August (Sunday) - Music in the Gardens
August - Bewdley Beer Festival
September - Heritage Open Day
October - Bewdley Festival (& Fringe)
October - Pumpkin Festival
November - Christmas Lights Festival and
Market
Market Day: Saturday
Twin Towns: Bewdley is twinned with Fort-Mahon-Plage
in France and Vellmar in
Germany.
Click to view
a Mini-Guide to Bewdley
(8,064K)
Click for further
information about Bewdley
Kidderminster
(Population 55,182 – 2001 Census)
The largest of the three towns in the District, made famous for
its quality woven carpets and as the birthplace of Sir Rowland
Hill, founder of the Penny Post.
Kidderminster is the main retail centre for the district and the
newly opened Weaver’s Wharf offers visitors a high quality shopping
experience set around the beautifully restored Slingfield
Mill.
The town centre is the venue for a variety of “family” based events
during the year including the Carnival in June, and the Town Hall,
Library and the beautiful Parish Church are all used for concerts
and recitals.
Farmers Markets: 2nd Friday in each month
Twin Town: Kidderminster is twinned with
Husum in Germany.
Click to view
a Mini-Guide to Kidderminster (874K)
Click for
further information about Kidderminster
Kidderminster Canal Festival
This summer Kidderminster hosted its very first canal
festival. The event took place on the canalside at Weavers
Wharf in the town centre on 19th-21st August 2010.
A number of canal boats, including the 'Dreamcatcher' passenger
boat (pictured left) attended the festival. There was also live
entertainment and a continental market on Weavers Wharf.
Visit the festival webpage for picture
and information from this years festival
Stourport-on-Severn
(Population – 19,713 – 2001 Census)
This lively Georgian town, set on the banks of the River Severn,
developed with the building of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire
Canal in 1771.
Nowadays, the canal basins and locks provide a more tranquil
scene and the riverside is the setting for an exciting range of
family entertainment and the venue for many summer events.
Riverboat trips also operate during the summer months.
Away from the riverside, visitors will discover many impressive
Georgian buildings around the busy shopping area and a good variety
of pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Main Events:
May - Raft Race
August - Regatta
September - Carnival
Twin Town: Stourport-on-Severn is twinned with
Villeneuve-le-Roi in
France.
Click to view
a Mini-Guide to Stourport-on-Severn
(541K)
Click for further
information about Stourport-on-Severn
Tourist Information Centre
"Tourist Information Centres that are committed
to
quality and are experts in the whole of England no
matter where you are".
Bewdley Tourist Information Centre wins Gold in The Heart of
England Excellence in Tourism Awards, November 2008.
Wyre Forest Tourist Information Centre
Load Street
Bewdley
Worcestershire
DY12 2AE
Tel/Fax: 01299 404740
E-mail: Bewdley
Tourist Information Centre
Open daily
1st April - 31st October: 10am - 4.00pm
1st November - 31st March: 12 noon - 4pm. (Selected
opening between Christmas and New Year)
The tourist information centre provides up-to-date information
about Upcoming Events, Local
Accommodation, places to visit , leisure activities, transport
and the county of Worcestershire as a
whole.
Our Tourist Information Centre staff have undergone the tourist
board's Welcome Host training to demonstrate our
commitment to high standards of customer care.
The Tourist Information Centre sells a wide range of books,
Ordance Survey maps, quality gifts and souvenirs. The Centre
operates as the Box Office for Bewdley Festival and sells tickets
for many local events.
View the
Tourist Information Centre Access Statement (30K)
Accommodation
The Tourist Information Centre operates both a local and
national bed booking service for personal callers.
Accommodation promoted within the Tourist Information has been
fully inspected and graded by one of the recognised national
inspections agencies, namely Visit Britain (VB) or the AA.
View the 2010
Holiday Accommodation Guide
(3.76MB)
Or contact the Tourist Information Centre for a copy of the main
holiday guide.
Tel/Fax: 01299 404740
E-mail: Bewdley
Tourist Information Centre
Events
The Tourist Information Centre compiles a comprehensive list of
events each month.
Download a
calendar of events for August in the Wyre Forest
district (48K)
An annual calendar of regular events held throughout the year is
also available.
Download an
annual calendar of events in the Wyre Forest district
(132K)
Leisure Activities
Countryside
The
countryside is beautiful – a patchwork of gentle rolling hills,
meandering rivers, steep wooded valleys, orchards and ancient
woodlands.
One of the best ways to enjoy the area is on foot and there are
miles of way-marked paths and trails to be enjoyed. An excellent
selection of books, guides and Ordnance Survey maps is available at
the Tourist Information Centre, Bewdley.
Click to view information on the wildlife and nature reserves
managed by our Ranger Service
Leisure
The area offers some of the best facilities for fishing, golf
and horse riding.
Download a
guide to fishing in the Wyre Forest area (338K)
Download a
guide to golf in the Wyre Forest area
(265K)
Information leaflets are updated annually by the Tourist
Information staff.
Sports Facilities
The area offers an excellent range of leisure and recreation
facilities. The main sports and leisure centres are owned by Wyre
Forest District Council and managed by DC Leisure
Management Ltd.
Kidderminster -
Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre
Tel: 01562 515151
Bewdley - Bewdley
Leisure Centre
Tel: 01299 402595
Stourport-on-Severn - Stourport
Sports Centre
Tel: 01299 822308
Places to Visit
Wyre Forest boasts some of the best attractions in the Midlands
and offers something of interest of all the family.
Arley Arboretum
Opened to the public in 2002 the Arboretum provides the opportunity
to enjoy some of the finest specimen trees in Great Britain
alongside many rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias and camellias.
Website: Arley
Arboretum
Tel: 01299 861368
Postcode: DY12 1XG
Bewdley Museum
Clay pipe making and rope making demonstrations form a major part
of the attraction of this museum. The museum depicts the lives and
working crafts of the area through the ages. Exhibitions and events
throughout the season.
Website:
Bewdley Museum
Tel: 01299 403573
Postcode: DY12 2AE
Bodenham Arboretum
Near Kidderminster.
With over 2700 varieties of ornamental and rare trees and flowers,
attractive walks set around lakes, pools, shaded dells and glades,
tree trails and a magnificent Laburnum tunnel visitors cannot fail
to enjoy the experience of Bodenham!
Website: Bodenham
Arboretum
Tel: 01562 852444
Postcode: DY11 5SY
Churchill Forge
An important example of one of the last working water powered forge
mills in the Country now being restored as a working museum. PLEASE
NOTE: PRIVATE SITE. For restricted opening hours see web site.
Website: Churchill
Forge
Tel: 01562 700476
Postcode: DY10 3LX
Go Ape
High-wire forest adventure in the
trees, using ladders, walkways, bridges, tunnels and zip wires.
Located close at the Wyre Forest Visitor Centre. Booking
required.
Website: Go Ape
Tel: 0845 6439 215
Postcode: DY14 9XQ
Harvington Hall
3 miles SE of Kidderminster, this Elizabethan moated manor house
contains many rare wall paintings and the best series of secret
hiding places in the country, Themed events, concerts and open-air
theatre throughout the year.
Website: Harvington
Hall
Tel: 01562 777846
Postcode: DY10 4LR
Kidderminster Railway Museum
A vast range of railway artefacts, most of which date back to the
days of steam travel, including photographs, timetables, rolling
stock, signs and signaling equipment. Free Admission
Website: Kidderminster Railway
Museum
Tel. 01562 825316
Postcode: DY10 1QX
Severn Valley Railway
This beautifully restored railway offers a 16mile journey through
the glorious countryside of the Severn valley. Special events
throughout the year.
Website: Severn Valley
Railway
Tel: 01299 403816
Postcode: DY10 1QX
Shatterford Lakes Fishery
On the A442 Kidderminster to Bridgnorth Road.
Website: Shatterford Lakes
Fishery
Tel: 01299 861597
Postcode: DY12 1TW
St. Mary's and All Saints Church
Largest Parish Church in Worcestershire. Dating mainly from the
15th and 16th Centuries, it has been beautifully restored and
contains many fine examples of historic architecture, paintings and
artefacts. Restricted opening hours. FREE Admission
Website: St.
Mary's and All Saints Church
Tel. 01562 751923
Postcode: DY10 2JN
Stone House Cottage Gardens
2 miles SE of
Kidderminster on the A448. Delightful walled gardens with seven
unique towers contain over 3000 plants including many unusual
shrubs, climbers and herbaceous plants.
Website: Stone House Cottage
Gardens
Tel: 01562 69902
Postcode: DY10 4BG
Stourport Canal Basins & Riverside
Attractions
Five historic canal basins, many listed Georgian buildings, locks,
narrow boats & yachts. Events & activities (costumed walks,
heritage room opening), river cruises and Playland. Informal play
areas and Riverside Meadows. FREE Admission.
Wesbite: Stourport
Town
Postcode: DY13 9EN/8UJ
Stourport Steamer Co.
40 minute trips every Sunday from March to September and every day
during school holidays, with full day trips to Worcester on
Wednesdays during August.
Website: Stourport
Steamer Co.
Tel: 01299 871177
Postcode: DY13 8UJ
Stourport Treasure Island Amusement Park
Wide range of fairground rides including Ferris Wheel &
dodgems. Amusement arcade, river cruises.
Website: Tresure Island
Amusements
Tel: 01299 877377
Weavers Shed
See demonstrations of
handloom weaving and spinning, plus an exhibition dedicated to the
local carpet industry. Preview the plans for a museum that aims to
celebrate the area’s long and distinguished history of carpet
manufacturing. FREE admission.
Wesbite: Weavers
Shed
Tel: 01299 832797
Postcode: DY10 1AZ
West Midland Safari & Leisure Park
On the A456 between Kidderminster and Bewdley. Drive around 4 mile
safari with over 40 rare and exotic species including the white
tiger ridge. Visit the Hippo Lakes, Sealion Theatre, Twilight cave,
Animal encounters and Reptile House.
Website: West Midland Safari
& Leisure Park
Tel: 01299 402114
Postcode: DY12 1LF
Wilden to Witley
"Drive round" the 12
Church Trail passing through beautiful countryside. Churches range
from large to small, ancient to modern, artistic to plain. Route
can be split to form circular walks.
Website: Wilden to
Witley
Wyre Forest Visitor Centre
A456 2 miles west of Bewdley. One of the largest surviving areas of
semi-natural woodland in Great Britain. Visitors can enjoy three
way-marked trails including one all ability trail and two off-road
family cycling routes. Lively programme of events produced
annually.
Website: Wyre Forest
Visitor Centre
Tel: 01299 266944
Postcode: DY14 9XQ
Additional Needs
Wyre Forest District Council also provides a guide for
visitors with additional needs, including accommodation and
attractions.
Download the
guide for visitors with additional needs. (88K)
Transport
