- Severn Valley (England)
Location map
United Kingdom
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(gbmapping|SO750840)The Severn Valley is a rural area of mid-western
England , through which theRiver Severn runs and theSevern Valley Railway steam heritage line operates, starting at its northernmost point inBridgnorth ,Shropshire and running south for 16 miles (26 km) toBewdley ,Worcestershire in theWyre Forest .The area is about 40 km (25 miles) due west of
Birmingham in theWest Midlands region .There is also use of this term to apply to areas around the River Severn as far south as as
Gloucester , and as far north asIronbridge . To the north ofBridgnorth , the area around the river becomes much steeper and is known asIronbridge Gorge . FromBewdley south toGloucester , the riverside has a much larger flood plain and loses its distinctive "valley" hillsides. To the south ofGloucester , it becomes theSevern Estuary .Geology and roads
The area is typified by a substantial river bed with deep fast-flowing channels, surrounded by a small
flood plain and rolling wooded hills. Due to the softsandstone banks, it is difficult to build bridges. [http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/shropshireccnews.nsf/0/F27E94EBA70328448025709F0047374C] The only public road bridges are atBridgnorth andBewdley , meaning that there is no way for road traffic to cross the river for 26 km (16 miles). The two main roads along the valley are the A442 on the east side fromBridgnorth viaAlveley toKidderminster and the B4555 on the west fromBridgnorth viaHighley toBewdley . Both of these run north-south roughly parallel with the river.Towns and villages
Starting north at
Bridgnorth and running south downstream, the area encompasses the following locations:* Through
Shropshire ::*Bridgnorth (both sides — two public road bridges):*Quatford (east bank):*Chelmarsh (west bank — also private waterworks bridge toHampton Loade ):*Quatt (east bank):* Hampton (west bank) andHampton Loade (east bank) (connected by theHampton Loade Ferry — also private waterworks utility bridge toChelmarsh capable of carrying light trucks and small emergency vehicles; gated and usually locked):*Alveley (east bank — public bridalway/footbridge toHighley ):*Highley (west bank — public bridalway/footbridge toAlveley )
* ThroughWorcestershire ::* Arley (both sides — public footbridge — also railway bridge for SVR):*Trimpley (west bank — river entersWyre Forest — also private waterworks, electricity and gas pipeline bridge):*Bewdley (both sides — two public road bridges — severe flooding common in spring)Some definitions continue through
Worcestershire and intoGloucestershire as far south asGloucester .Features
There are riverside footpaths throughout almost the entire length of the Severn Valley on both sides, including the
Severn Way long distance footpath, making it a popular haunt for anglers andramblers , often combining a leisurely walk with a return trip on theSevern Valley Railway . A number of traditionalpub s cater for the tourist trade.At the centre of the area, between
Highley andAlveley , is the Severn Valley Country Park, with level-access and wide flat footpaths forwheelchair users, plus conveniences and a small visitors' centre.During summer, it is sometimes possible to ford the river at almost any point along the Severn Valley, but due to the deep, fast-flowing and often non-visible river channels, it can be dangerous to do so without specific local knowledge.
Lovecraftian fictionalisation
The term Severn Valley is also used to refer to a fictional location in the HP Lovecraft universe. However, this fictional location is based on the
Gloucestershire ,Severn Estuary andCotswolds regions, some 100 km (60 miles) further south of the real-life Severn Valley. SeeSevern Valley (Cthulhu Mythos) for more details on this fantasy/horror location.
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