Head out of the crane-infested city centre of Birmingham and into the countryside, you'll find an abundance of riverside towns and villages offering a more idyllic lifestyle. Among the prettiest is the Worcestershire town of Bewdley which was recently named as one of the best places to live in 2024 by Muddy Stilettos.
The places on the lifestyle magazine's list were picked for a number of reasons, including having a thriving high street, highly-praised restaurants and nearby countryside. In Bewdley's case, it was chosen for its scenic views, annual events and nearby attractions - including the hugely-popular West Midland Safari Park.
Muddy Stilettos wrote: "If riverside living is the dream then it doesn’t come prettier than in Bewdley – and it’s spot-on for fun-seekers too, with the Wyre Forest and a safari park right on your doorstep". Here's a look at why this charming Georgian town, around 50 minutes from Birmingham, is arguably one of the best places to live in the UK.
READ MORE: Six of the best villages in and around Birmingham to move to in 2024
What Muddy Stilettos said
The lifestyle magazine wrote: "Squint a bit – yes, it could be Amsterdam! Bewdley’s scenic riverside setting is utterly charming, and this small Georgian town is filled with lovely walks, a museum, gardens and almost 20 pubs and restaurants.
"It’s also just minutes from the Wyre Forest – one of England’s largest remaining ancient forests – so a no-brainer if you’re into running, dog walks or nature. But despite its La Serenissima appearance, Bewdley is no snoozy backwater, with major events running throughout the year from the brilliant River Regatta to the annual Bewdley Festival.
"There are also two market days each month, where you can meander, flat white and croissant in hand, down the riverside to buy your artisan bread, cheese, homewares and more."
Life in Bewdley
Take a walk in the countryside in Bewdley and you may end up hearing a lion's roar in the distance. This is because the town is home to West Midlands Safari Park, which is among the region's most popular attractions and attracts thousands of visitors throughout the year.
The park recently opened a new set of Safari Lodges - ones that allow guests to sleep right next to the park's pride of lions. Guests can now wake up a whisker away from the king of the jungle, with the lodges providing views of of the park's new Lion Ridge.
Bewdley Museum, often described as a 'hidden gem' attraction in Worcestershire, is also found in the heart of the town near the River Severn and backs onto the idyllic Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Gardens. The museum offers fascinating displays into the area's history, daily demonstrations, events and workshops, as well as gardens and tea shop.
There's also a decent number of places to get a bite to eat in Bewdley, including the Mug House Inn. Muddy Stilettos adds: "For some of the best curry dishes around go to Severn Fine Indian Dining, and the Hop Pole Inn is a country-style pub that does hearty Sunday roasts."
House prices
According to Rightmove, homes in Bewdley had an overall average price of £335,086 during the last year. The majority of sales in the area during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £485,984.
Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £298,851, with terraced properties fetching £241,094. Overall, sold prices in Bewdley over the last year were 6 per cent up on the previous year and 24 per cent up on the 2020 peak of £271,215.
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