Bewdley is a tiny waterfront town as well as civil church in the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire on the Shropshire boundary in England, along the Severn Valley 3 miles (4.8 km) west of Kidderminster and 22 miles (35 kilometres) southwest of Birmingham. [1] It pushes the River Severn, at the entrance of the Wyre Forest national nature reserve, as well as at the time of the 2011 census had a population of 9,470. Bewdley is a prominent visitor location and also is known for the Bewdley Bridge developed by Thomas Telford. The almost all of Bewdley community is situated on the western bank of the River Severn, including the major street-- Load Street-- whose name derives from lode, an old word for ferry. Load Street is noteworthy for its size: this is since it as soon as likewise worked as the town's market location. The majority of Bewdley's shops and amenities are situated along Load Street, on top of which exists St Anne's Church, constructed between 1745 and also 1748 by Doctor Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden. Past the church, High Street leads off to the south towards Stourport along the B4194, a roadway known locally as "the switchback" as a result of its several undulations. Unlike in lots of English towns, High Street is so called not as a result of its value, yet due to its geographical setting 'high' above the river. Beyond of the church, Welch Gate (so called due to the fact that it as soon as had a tollgate when traveling in the direction of Wales) climbs considerably approximately the west, while Dowles Road, a continuation of the B4194 leads northwest to Dowles and also towards the Wyre Forest. To the northeast of the community is the wooded hilltop of Wassel Wood in Trimpley, the southern terminus of Shatterford Hill. In the location in between Stourport and Bewdley there are several big lodge, amongst which Witley Court, Astley Hall as well as Swimming pool House are especially considerable.