Below you will find vital details of important services from around Bridgnorth, including Local Authority details, Hospital and local Police force details and a comprehensive guide to Bridgnorth town itself.
Important Amenity Information
Royal Shrewsbury Hospital : 01743 261000
Bridgnorth Police : 08457 444888
Bridgnorth Town Guide
Bridgnorth is an ancient market town dating back to Saxon times, when it was a vital crossing point across the River Severn.
An aerial shot of Bridgnorth
Its strategic importance also lay in the fact that it is divided into two parts: High Town and Low Town, the former built on dominant 100ft sandstone cliffs and the latter huddled around the the bridge that gave access to Wales and beyond.
Its history saw many kings of the realm visit it, some to lay siege to rebels, others merely to stay in a town that King Charles I was reportedly to have said had the finest views (from the Castle Walk) in his kingdom.
Much of its past is still preserved in its oak-timbered pubs and houses and, of course, the castle itself, blown to pieces by the Roundheads in 1646 and leaving the wreck of its its massive keep leaning at angle of 17 degrees to be seen to this day, three times more than that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa!
Today, it is a visiting place for thousands every year. Tourists both from home and abroad flock to delight in its unique charm and calm set in the Severn Valley.
But Bridgnorth doesn’t just bask on the blessings its location has given it — it is a vibrant town and getting more so. It holds an annual world-renowned Haydn Festival, a music festival, a children’s festival every August Bank Holiday and, every year, Gallery Bridgnorth, which opens up all the trading premises in the town to display work by local artists, adding up to a huge art gallery.
Perhaps one of the greatest successes is the Severn Valley Railway, arguably the best-preserved of its kind in the country. With its mighty engines chugging down the line and its local station catching the atmosphere of an age that was once destroyed by Dr Beeching (but not here).
A place to literally travel back into a steamy and wonderful world.Each year Bridgnorth holds a remarkable event that has, so far, raised hundreds of thousands for charity: the Bridgnorth Journal Sponsored Walk which sees hundreds of entrants slog their hearts out on a punishing 22-mile hike for all manner of good causes. Why not try it?
For those not quite so energetic, the shops and markets may be more to their taste. On Fridays there is a busy little market under the magnificent town hall and Saturday sees the High Street devoted to stalls, along with yet another outdoor market a short distance away both massively patronised.
The pubs and restaurants offer everything from a quick snack to a slap-up meal.
Just off the High Street is the Theatre on the Steps with the shows put on playing to packed audiences. The local cinema screens releases films as soon as they are on in London. A town of history, but with much more.