Friday 23 October 2015

Five on Friday

Hello, thank you for calling in.  Thank you, too, for your messages about my last post - if I have brought the Battle of Trafalgar to life for some readers, I am absolutely chuffed.  Today I am linking up with Amy at Love Made My Home so if you have the time, please hop over there and see who else is joining in this week.

Last Sunday afternoon the Best Beloved and I went to Bridgnorth, a pretty old town on the banks of the River Severn, for a little walk.  The sun didn't come out from behind the thick clouds but the air was still and too warm for coats and we took our time.  Here are five good things about Bridgnorth:
 
1. The River Severn
We walked along the east bank of the river, which divides High Town from Low Town (I know, it's so quaint, isn't it?). 




We passed a very small patch of neglected ground which is marked by this plaque (you might want to click on it to enlarge it for easier reading) -


If you studied the Industrial Revolution for O-Level History (I know, that dates me) you will know about Richard Trevithick.  The locomotive built here was named Catch Me Who Can and was exhibited at a "steam circus" in London: it went round a circular track at a top speed of 12mph(!) pulling an open carriage full of passengers who paid a shilling for the thrill.

2.  The Cliff Railway
The top of High Town stands more than a hundred feet higher than the river and if you don't fancy climbing one of the seven sets of two hundred-odd steps or the steep roads to get there, the funicular railway is great fun - very old-fashioned but just right.  Some people use it for their daily commute to work!  It is, apparently, the shortest and steepest in the country and a return ticket costs £1.20.  Built in 1892 and originally powered by water but converted to electricity in the 1940s, the original carriages were replaced in 1955. 








3.  The Castle
Very little remains of Bridgnorth's twelfth century castle as most of it was blown to pieces by parliamentary forces on the orders of Oliver Cromwell in 1646 after the royalists who had retreated there surrendered during the Civil War.  The part of the keep which does remain leans at an angle of fifteen degrees, almost four times that of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  It looks precarious but it must be quite safe because it doesn't appear to have shifted during the last 369 years!




4. The Severn Valley Railway
This steam railway runs between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster and although we didn't take a ride this time, from the Castle Walk we sat and watched an engine gather its head of steam before it chugged away over the bridge. 





5. The Views
King Charles I visited Bridgnorth twice in the seventeenth century and as he gazed out from the Castle Walk, he declared it "the finest view in all my kingdom.".  The views have changed a lot in almost four hundred years since then, but probably not unrecognisably and they are still pretty fine (and even better when the sun shines).




If you ever get the opportunity to visit Bridgnorth, it's worth it - you could even go when the lovely shops, pubs and tearooms are open.  I do. 

See you soon.


Love, Mrs Tiggywinkle x  


17 comments:

  1. It does look like a very interesting place to visit with lots of history and much to see and do.

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  2. You took us on a wonderful tour, what a great place to visit and I loved the idea of the steam train and tea rooms. Have a great weekend.

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  3. Loved seeing your photos of that very interesting place.The cliff railway looks like it would be a fantastic ride with great views.

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  4. Awesome and intriguing pictures on your blog today. Love the color and the quaint village.

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  5. I love Bridgnorth and the funicular railway between the two parts of the town. Last time we were there we visited the water mill. Your photos of the views are lovely:)

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  6. I must go, definitely, it's just my sort of place! In the words of Len Goodman, the Severn is such a glorious river. Have a good weekend. x

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  7. What a wonderful place! Charming town; super fun railway trip; awesome views; and that poor, sad castle. But I loved it all!

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  8. Love steam engines, wouldn't have been able to resist going for a ride.

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  9. Beautiful!!! We went on the Severn Valley Railway a few years ago, it was fabulous! We did the industrial revolution for history too, but I didn't take o level, because, ahem, I was in the CSE class! Not that that dates either of us!!! Thank you for joining Five On Friday. I hope that you have a great weekend! xx

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  10. Your write so beautifully of this picturesque town. Love all the historical facts you have shared with us, all so interesting. I wonder is the first steam engine still in existence? We have a steam era show in the town of Milton, Ontario every year, and it's quite a good turnout each year. I would love to take a tour on the old railway! I think the grey day sort of adds to the aura of the town :)
    Enjoy your day Mrs. T-W!!
    Wendy

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  11. Oh how I'd really enjoy a visit to this fantastic place full of history and beauty!
    Thanks for sharing!
    Enjoy the weekend!

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  12. Yes I did the Industrial revolution for O level history too ha! What a beautiful place Bridgnorth is, the views an river look beautiful. Your pictures make me want to visit. Have a lovely weekend xx

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous pictures! I too enjoyed all the bits of history. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  14. Great informative post. You took me back some years too as yes I studied the industrial revolution for o levels too!!!

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  15. I really enjoyed these pictures and feel like I have learned a lot from this interesting post, makes me want to visit.

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  16. Lovely, lovely pictures. I live in Bridgenorth, ON, Canada. I wonder if it was named after the one in England?

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  17. I though only Italy towns had leaning towers. This English town does too, apparently! Great view from the river up into town. Bridgnorth seems like the quintessential cute little English town!

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