(S/E) Start at the notice board sited at the end of the cafe, turn around and head past the brick building and down the slope. From here follow the signpost directing you down Station Road. When you arrive at the junction with Stourport Road, carefully cross the road and bear right towards Bewdley town.
(1) After approximately 400m, cross the river bridge, keeping on the left hand pavement. Follow the pavement onto Severn Side South and use the pedestrian access to go under the bridge to Severn Side North. Continue to Dog Lane car park. The signpost indicates the direction of a number of routes. Follow the Steam Train logo alongside the river for approximately 600m, through the parkland until you come to a metal kissing gate.
(2) In less than 500m you will pass over a small footbridge that spans the tranquil Dowles Brook where it meets the River Severn and on to the now derelict piers that once carried the Tenbury and Bewdley Railway over the
River Severn.
(3) In 1½miles you will enter Seckley Wood. Seckley Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and offers you the opportunity to cool down on a hot day. Continue through the woodland for approximately ½ mile.
(4) Upper Arley is now less than 1 mile away. On your journey to Upper Arley you will pass under the impressive Victoria Bridge, cast and constructed by the Coalbrookdale Company in 1861 to carry the Severn Valley Railway from Hartlebury near Droitwich to Shrewsbury a distance of 40 miles.
(5) As you pass under the pedestrian bridge that spans the River Severn, turn left and walk up the hill to Arley train station. You now have the opportunity to use the Severn Valley Railway to return to Bewdley or continue on foot, using the waymarked route on the opposite side of the river. However you decide to return it is worth spending some time in Upper Arley, taking in the charm of this historic riverside village.
If you choose to walk back, head back down the hill and cross the River Severn.
(6) Turn right when you leave the bridge and follow the Steam Train logo along the riverside path for 500m until you reach Worrall’s Grove and a small footbridge.
(7) Cross the bridge and follow the Steam Train logo, keeping the river on your right hand side. You are now entering Eymore Wood, an ancient woodland and another site of special scientific interest. Continue for 250m until you reach Victoria Bridge.
(8) Pass under Victoria Bridge and continue until you leave Eymore Wood in 250m. Pass through the pedestrian gate and enter the Trimpley Reservoir site. The reservoirs were built in 1968 as an emergency support to the Elan Valley Pipeline that supplies water to Birmingham. Follow the Steam Train logo for approximately half a mile.
(9) From here continue south along the side of the river, leaving the Trimpley Reservoir site. In 500m you will come to a gate. It is worth taking the opportunity to study the Elan Valley pipeline as it crosses the river at this location. You now have just over ½ mile of quiet lane walking. Please take care of traffic. Look out for a signpost with the Steam Train logo on your right hand side. Follow the route off the lane for approximately 1 mile and continue through a number of gates and parkland until you come out by Bewdley Rowing Club on Riverside North. Continue on this road until you come to the public footpath sign and the Steam Train logo and waymark sending you under the road bridge and into the small area of river frontage parkland.
(1) From here, retrace your steps to Bewdley Severn Valley Railway train station. (S/E)
