Bewdley Station rock cutting
A journey of the Severn Valley Railway between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth takes you through the wonderful Severn Valley. Travelling north from Kidderminster the underlying bedrock switches from Permo-Triassic in age to Carboniferous upon leaving Bewdley. Upon reaching the Bridgnorth area once again the bedrock dates Permian in age. This variety in rock ages and rock types together with the erosive powers of the River Severn and its tributary has created a stunning ‘heart of England’ countryside landscape.
The River Severn and later the precursor the Severn Valley Railway carried vast quantities of material along these transport routes, with many materials extracted from the landscape through which the trains now travel. Building Stone (both Carboniferous and Permo-Triassic rocks), millstones, coal, sand and gravel, clay, ironstone and limestone (limited) were all extracted locally.
At Bridgnorth station the sandstone cliffs on which ‘High Town’ sits are just a stone throw away. Here you can explore the historical caves and clearly see the dune bedding exhibited in the fossilised dunes of the Permian Bridgnorth Sandstone. Further south, just behind the Engine House in Highley, is Stanley Quarry. This is one of a series of Carboniferous sandstone quarries along this stretch of the valley, where it is believed sandstone was extracted for use in the construction of Worcester Cathedral. Pick marks along with plug and feather marks are still clearly visible on the rock faces in Stanley Quarry. Acesss to the quarry is by permission of Severn Valley Railway only. At Bewdley Station a group of local volunteers maintain the Permian sandstone rock face alongside the platform, making this exposure a great site at which to view the sedimentary features exhibited.
Pick marks on a dressed face in Stanley Quarry, Highley
Explore the Geology and Landscape of the Severn Valley Railway
- A Train Ride Geology Trail – Severn Valley Railway– leaflet available from Kidderminster Station and as a download
- Severn Valley Railway Geology and Landscape Explore trail guide – currently out of print
- The railway cutting exposure at Bewdley station features on the ‘Bewdley Champions Geo trail. A booklet is available from Bewdley Tourist Information Centre and directly from the Community Conservation Champions
- A geology interpretation panel is displayed at Bewdley Stationexplaining the rock face opposite the platform
- A factsheet for Stanley Quarry at the Engine House is available for pre-arranged visits
- The Severn Valley Railway is the perfect way to create circular trips along the northern section (Bridgnorth to Bewdley) of the Geopark Way long distance walking trail. The trail guide is available from numerous outlets including Bridgnorth and Bewdley Tourist Information Centres, Severn Valley Country Park and Kidderminster Station
- The Geopark Way is also available as a series of Apps. The apps have a map of the section overlain on an interactive geology map. Using GPS you get your position and a feed of data about the geology and other information as you walk. Other information’ includes photos of the walk with directional guidance, 3D cross-sections, and interpretations of past environments.Created by BrooksDesigns
Explore the bedrock and superficial geology of the route of the Severn Valley Railway on the British Geological Surveys ‘Geology of Britain Viewer’ – click here to be directed to their webpage
