Bewdley is a small waterfront community and also civil church in the Wyre Forest District of Worcestershire on the Shropshire boundary in England, along the Severn Valley 3 miles (4.8 kilometres) 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 traveler location and is recognized for the Bewdley Bridge designed by Thomas Telford. The main part of Bewdley community is located on the western bank of the River Severn, including the primary road-- Load Street-- whose name stems from lode, an old word for ferry. Load Street is noteworthy for its width: this is because it as soon as also worked as the town's market place. The majority of Bewdley's stores as well as facilities are positioned along Load Street, at the top of which exists St Anne's Church, constructed between 1745 and 1748 by Doctor Thomas Woodward of Chipping Campden. Past the church, High Street leads off to the south towards Stourport along the B4194, a road known locally as "the switchback" because of its many undulations. Unlike in many English towns, High Street is so called not due to its relevance, but as a result of its geographical position 'high' above the river. Beyond of the church, Welch Gate (so called because it as soon as contained a tollgate on the road towards Wales) climbs up considerably approximately the west, while Dowles Road, a continuation of the B4194 leads northwest to Dowles as well as in the direction of the Wyre Forest. To the northeast of the community is the woody hill of Wassel Wood in Trimpley, the southern terminus of Shatterford Hill. In the location in between Stourport as well as Bewdley there are a number of big country houses, among which Witley Court, Astley Hall as well as Pool Home are particularly considerable.