View source for Bridgnorth

{{Short description|Town in Shropshire, England}}
{{About|the town in England|the town in Canada|Bridgenorth}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox UK place
|civil_parish            = Bridgnorth<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk/ |title=Bridgnorth Town Council |access-date=10 April 2019}}</ref>
|country                 = England
|coordinates             = {{coord|52.535|-2.4195|display=inline, title}}
|official_name           = Bridgnorth
|static_image_name       = Bridgnorth's High Town.JPG
|static_image_width      = 250px
|static_image_caption    = High Town from the [[River Severn]]
|static_image_2_name     = Coat of Arms of Bridgnorth.png
|static_image_2_width    = 100px
|static_image_2_caption  = Coat of arms of Bridgnorth<br />''' Motto:''' Fidelitas Urbis Salus Regis <br />'' In the town's loyalty lies the King's safety'' <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/severn_valley_marches.html |title=Civic Heraldry Of England And Wales-Severn Valley And The Marches |publisher=Civicheraldry.co.uk |access-date=29 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504102005/http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/severn_valley_marches.html |archive-date=4 May 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|population              = 12,079
|population_ref          = (2011)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11121171&c=Bridgnorth&d=16&e=62&g=6460202&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1448289485484&enc=1 |title=Bridgnorth (Parish): Key Figures for 2011 Census |work=Neighbourhood Statistics |publisher=Office for National Statistics |access-date=23 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304131038/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadKeyFigures.do?a=7&b=11121171&c=Bridgnorth&d=16&e=62&g=6460202&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&m=0&r=1&s=1448289485484&enc=1 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|unitary_england         = [[Shropshire (district)|Shropshire]]
|lieutenancy_england     = [[Shropshire]]
|region                  = West Midlands
|constituency_westminster= [[South Shropshire (UK Parliament constituency)|South Shropshire]]
|post_town               = BRIDGNORTH
|postcode_district       = WV15, WV16
|postcode_area           = WV
|dial_code               = 01746
|os_grid_reference       = SO716927
}}
'''Bridgnorth''' is a [[market town]] and [[civil parish]] in [[Shropshire]], England,  named after a bridge over the [[River Severn]]. The river divides the town into High Town and Low Town, the upper town on its right bank and the lower on its left bank. The population at the [[United Kingdom Census 2011|2011 Census]] was 12,079.

==History==
[[File:Bridgnorth castle ruins.jpg|thumb|The ruins of [[Bridgnorth Castle]]]]
Bridgnorth is named after a bridge over the River Severn, which was built further north than an earlier bridge at [[Quatford]].<ref name="ShropshireGuide">{{Cite book |title=A Guide to Shropshire |last=Raven |first=Michael |page=32 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Txby6_Lrm0cC |year=2005 |isbn=0-906114-34-9 |publisher=Michael Raven |access-date=14 May 2008 }}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The earliest historical reference to the town is in 895, when it is recorded that the [[Danes (Germanic tribe)|Danes]] created a camp at ''Cwatbridge'';<ref name="Routes">{{cite web|url=http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/roots/places/bridgnorth/bridgnorth.htm |title=Bridgnorth |work=Shropshire Routes to Roots |access-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908013227/http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/roots/places/bridgnorth/bridgnorth.htm |archive-date=8 September 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref> subsequently in 912, [[Æthelfleda]] constructed a mound on the west bank of the [[River Severn]], or possibly on the site of [[Bridgnorth Castle]], as part of an offensive against the Danes.<ref name="ShropshireGuide"/><ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911|wstitle=Bridgnorth|volume=4|pages=559–560 |inline=1}}</ref> Earliest names for Bridgnorth include Brigge, Brug and Bruges, all referring to its position on the Severn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SAL/Bridgnorth/ |title=Bridgnorth, Shropshire |work=The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2012 |publisher=GENUKI UK and Ireland Genealogy |access-date=27 June 2013}}</ref>

After the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman conquest]], [[William the Conqueror|William I]] granted the [[manorialism|manor]] of Bridgnorth to [[Roger de Montgomerie, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury|Roger de Montgomerie]].<ref name=EB1911/> The town itself was not created until 1101, when [[Robert of Bellême, 3rd Earl of Shrewsbury]], the son of Roger de Montgomerie, moved from Quatford, constructing a [[Bridgnorth Castle|castle]] and a [[church (building)|church]] on the site of the modern-day town. The town became a royal borough on Robert Bellême's [[attainder]] in 1102.<ref name=EB1911/> The castle's purpose was to defend against attacks from [[Wales]].<ref name="ShropshireGuide"/> The town was attacked and burnt by [[Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March]] during the [[Despenser War]] in 1322.<ref name="Parl Writs II Digest">{{Citation |title= Parliamentary Writs Alphabetical Digest | volume=II | year=1834 | location=London | publisher= National Archives}}</ref> A small Jewish community was established in the town in 1267, but was expelled in 1274; one of the community was arrested in a campaign against alleged Jewish coin clipping, a prelude towards [[Edward I of England|Edward I]]'s [[Edict of Expulsion]] in 1290.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hillaby |first1=Joe |last2=Hillaby |first2=Caroline |title=The Palgrave Dictionary of Medieval Anglo-Jewish History |year=2013 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |location=Basingstoke |isbn=9780230278165 |pages=59–60, 103–110}}</ref>

Bridgnorth's [[town wall]]s were initially constructed in timber between 1216 and 1223; [[murage]] grants allowed them to be upgraded to stone between the 13th and 15th centuries.<ref name=DiscShrop>{{cite web |url=http://www.discovershropshire.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/CCS:MSA278 |title=Fragment of Town Walls (listed section), rear of 93 Cartway (E and N side), SMRNO00374 |work=Discovering Shrophshire's History |access-date=22 October 2011 |archive-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511221207/http://www.discovershropshire.org.uk/html/search/verb/GetRecord/CCS:MSA278 |url-status=dead }}</ref> By the 16th century, the [[antiquarian]] [[John Leland (antiquarian)|John Leland]] reported them in ruins and of the five gates, only one survives today.{{Citation needed|date=July 2019}}

[[File:Bridgnorth 1646 inscription.JPG|thumb|Inscription on Bridgnorth Museum, commemorating the deliberate destruction of the town by royalist forces, commanded by [[Wolryche Baronets|Sir Thomas Wolryche]] of [[Dudmaston Hall]]]]
It is probable that [[Henry I of England|Henry I]] granted the [[burgess (title)|burgesses]] certain privileges, for [[Henry II of England|Henry II]] confirmed to them all the franchises and customs which they had had in the time of Henry I.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SAL/Bridgnorth/Gaz1868.html |title=BRIDGNORTH, Shropshire – Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868 |work=GENUKI |access-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060127070011/http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SAL/Bridgnorth/Gaz1868.html |archive-date=27 January 2006 |df=dmy }}</ref> King [[John, King of England|John]] in 1215 granted them freedom from toll throughout England except the city of London, and in 1227 [[Henry III of England|Henry III]] conferred several new rights and liberties, among which were a [[gild merchant]] with a [[hanse]]. These early charters were confirmed by several succeeding kings, [[Henry VI of England|Henry VI]] granting in addition [[Assize of Bread and Ale]] and other privileges. The burgesses were additionally granted two fairs: a yearly fair on the feast of the Translation of [[Leonard of Noblac|St Leonard]] and the three following days was granted in 1359, and in 1630 [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] granted them licence to hold another fair on the Thursday before the first week in [[Lent]] and two following days. The burgesses returned two members to parliament in 1295,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.election.demon.co.uk/prereform.html |title=Parliamentary Constituencies in the unreformed House |access-date=14 May 2008 |archive-date=5 November 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071105102205/http://www.election.demon.co.uk/prereform.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and continued to do so until 1867, when they were assigned only one member. The town was disfranchised in 1885.<ref name=EB1911/>

During the [[English Civil War|Civil War]], Bridgnorth was one of the Midlands' main Royalist strongholds, and in 1642 many Royalist troops were garrisoned there. In 1646, Cromwell's Roundheads arrived with orders to take Bridgnorth for the Parliamentarians from the garrison led by [[Robert Howard (Royalist)|Sir Robert Howard]].<ref>{{DNB Cite|wstitle=Howard, Robert (1585-1653)}}</ref> After a three-week siege, Cromwell was successful and he ordered that the castle be demolished.

Bridgnorth had an ironworks in Low Town run by [[Hazledine and Company]] which in 1808 built the locomotive ''[[Catch Me Who Can]]'' designed and promoted by [[Richard Trevithick]]. A plaque on the foundry's site commemorates this association.<ref>{{cite news|title=Marking a milestone in locomotive history|work=Shropshire Star|date=24 April 2021}}Report by Rory Smith on unveiling of plaque.</ref>

By 1824, the [[List of hundreds of England|borough and liberties of Bridgnorth]] were well defined.<ref name="gazetteer1824">{{cite book|author=Shropshire gazetteer|title=The Shropshire gazetteer|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5e8HAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA862|year=1824|pages=862 |access-date=10 June 2020}}</ref>

The population of the municipal borough in 1841 was 6,198, and that of the town was 5,770.<ref>The National Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge, Vol III, (1847), London, Charles Knight, p.804</ref>

More than 255 men from the Bridgnorth area volunteered in the first months of the [[First World War]]. Their names were published in the ''Bridgnorth Journal'' on 26 December 1914 and those killed in action are remembered on the war memorial, sculpted by [[Adrian Jones (sculptor)|Adrian Jones]], in the castle grounds.<ref>{{cite book|last=Francis|first=Peter|title=Shropshire War Memorials, Sites of Remembrance|year=2013|publisher=YouCaxton|pages=108–109|isbn=978-1-909644-11-3}}</ref>

Until 1961 the [[Royal Air Force]]'s initial recruit training unit was at [[RAF Bridgnorth]], a station opened in 1939. During the [[Second World War]], two women were killed in a German air raid in August 1940 when bombs hit neighbouring houses in High Town. In 2005, unverified German papers dating from 1941 were found, outlining new details about [[Operation Sea Lion]], the [[military plan]]s of [[Nazi Germany]] for an invasion of Britain. Two quiet Shropshire towns were mentioned in the documentation: [[Ludlow]] and Bridgnorth. Some experts believe that it was [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler's]] intention to make Bridgnorth his personal [[headquarters]] in Britain, due to its central position in the UK, rural location, rail connections and [[airfield]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/shropshire/4461879.stm|title=Hitler's secret Shropshire plans|publisher=BBC | date=19 April 2005| access-date=2 January 2010}}. The airfield was mentioned in 2005 by an auctioneer's consultant, unaware that nearby [[RAF Bridgnorth]], created in 1939 as a recruit training depot, never had an airfield; but German war planners might have assumed all major RAF depots had airfields.</ref><ref name="Inside Out">{{cite video| url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-20592917 | title=Adolf Hitler's plans for British base in Shropshire | publisher=BBC Inside Out | date=10 December 2012 | access-date=10 December 2012 | people= Richie Woodall (presenter)}}</ref>

In 1978, Bridgnorth was twinned with the French town of [[Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme|Thiers]], and in 1992 it also twinned with the [[Bavaria]]n town of [[Schrobenhausen]], Germany<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk/static/page1051.htm |title=Twin Towns |work=Bridgnorth District Council |access-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121031734/http://www.bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk/static/page1051.htm |archive-date=21 November 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref> that had already twinned with Thiers a few years earlier. On 21 August 2003 Bridgnorth was granted [[Fairtrade Town]] status.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aboutbridgnorth.com/about.htm |title=History Of Bridgnorth, Shropshire |work=About Bridgnorth |access-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430164709/http://www.aboutbridgnorth.com/about.htm |archive-date=30 April 2008 |df=dmy }}</ref>

==Geography==
The town is in the [[Severn Valley]], where the river passes through a relatively narrow valley with largely-wooded slopes. High Town, the part of the town sited on the west side of the Severn, is built on a notable [[promontory]], at the southern end of which the castle was constructed, and is known as Castle Hill. Low Town is on lower-lying ground on the banks of the river. High Town is at an elevation of 65–68 metres (213–223 feet) above sea level, whilst Low Town is at 32–33 metres (105 feet).<ref>[[Ordnance Survey]] mapping</ref> The lie of the land of Low Town is less hilly but then rises steeply to its immediate east.

The [[West Midlands Green Belt]] covers the countryside to the east of the Severn and the settlement.

The [[civil parish]] includes [[Danesford]], [[Oldbury, Shropshire|Oldbury]] and [[Quatford]].<ref name=wards>[https://www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-information/ward-map/ Bridgnorth Town Council] Ward map</ref>

==Landmarks==
{{See also|Listed buildings in Bridgnorth}}
[[File:Bridgnorth - Old Market Hall - geograph.org.uk - 1323006.jpg|thumb|Bridgnorth High Street with [[Bridgnorth Town Hall|town hall]] (built 1652)]]
Bridgnorth is home to a [[funicular]] railway that links the High and Low towns, the [[Bridgnorth Cliff Railway|Castle Hill Railway]], which is the steepest<ref name="Routes"/> and only inland railway of its type in England.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2005/03/22/bridgnorth_town_guide_feature.shtml |title=Bridgnorth Town Guide |work=BBC Shropshire |access-date=14 May 2008}}</ref>  Additionally, within the High Town is [[Bridgnorth railway station]] on the [[Severn Valley Railway]], which runs southwards to [[Kidderminster]].
The ruins of [[Bridgnorth Castle]], built in 1101, are present in the town. Due to damage caused during the English Civil War, the castle is inclined at an angle of 15 degrees.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visitbritain.co.kr/things-to-see-and-do/attractions-and-events/detail.aspx?TowPosCd=%25ube0c%25ub9ac%25uc9c0%25ub178%25uc2a4(Bridgnorth)&Sec=Events%2CAttraction&advsrch=1&display=list&Lat=52.53825069&Lon=-2.420245828&Rad=5&Caption=%25ube0c%25ub9ac%25uc9c0%25ub178%25uc2a4(Bridgnorth)&Pid=126791 |title=Bridgnorth Castle |work=Visit Britain |access-date=14 May 2008}}</ref>

High Town has two prominent [[Church of England]] churches. [[Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth]], a [[church (building)|church]] built in the classic style of the late 18th century,<ref name=EB1911/> was designed by [[Thomas Telford]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=565 |title=St Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth |work=Engineering Timelines |access-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110120548/http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=565 |archive-date=10 November 2006 |df=dmy }}</ref> and is still used for worship. [[St Leonard's Church, Bridgnorth|St. Leonard's]] was formerly collegiate, and Bridgnorth was a [[Royal Peculiar]] until 1856. It was subsequently largely rebuilt<ref>{{Cite book |title=Shropshire |page=161 |last=Newman |first=John |author2=Pevsner, Nikolaus |year=2006 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=0-300-12083-4 |access-date=14 May 2008 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3Zqbit3opjQC}}</ref> but is no longer used for regular worship. It has many community uses and is in the care of the [[Churches Conservation Trust]].
[[File:Bridgnorth Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 1146188.jpg|right|thumb|View from Low Town towards High Town and St Mary Magdalene's]]
Bishop Percy's House on the Cartway was built in 1580 by Richard Forster and has been a Grade 1 listed building since 18 July 1949. It was one of the few properties of its type to survive the great fire of Bridgnorth in April 1646, and was the birthplace of [[Thomas Percy (Bishop of Dromore)]], author of 'Reliques of Ancient English Poetry'.<ref name=EB1911/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bishoppercyshouse.co.uk |title=Bishop Percys House, bridgnorth |access-date=16 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907181948/http://www.bishoppercyshouse.co.uk/ |archive-date=7 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aboutbridgnorth.com/bishop-percys-house/ |title=Bishop Percys House |date=4 May 2013 |publisher=Bridgnorth Tourist Information Guide & Business Directory |access-date=19 October 2015}}</ref>

Other notable buildings in the town are the 17th century [[Bridgnorth Town Hall]], a [[Timber framing|half-timbered]] building,<ref>{{NHLE|desc= Town Hall|num=1053998|access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref> and a surviving town gate the Northgate which houses the museum.<ref>{{NHLE|desc= North Gate |num= 1374846|access-date=23 December 2020}}</ref> [[Daniel's Mill]], a well known [[watermill]] is situated a short distance along the [[River Severn]] from Bridgnorth.

The remains of an old [[Hermitage (religious retreat)|hermitage]] can be seen from the high town, they are commonly called The Queens Parlor by locals. One local legend tells of its occupation in AD 925 by a hermit called Ethelred or Ethelwald, a grandson to [[Alfred the Great]]. This may not be such an unlikely story as Bridgnorth was founded in 912 by Alfred the Great's daughter Ethelfleda.
{{Further|Ropewalk Dingle}}

==Education==
[[File:Bridgnorth Grammar School - New Northgate Building.JPG|thumb|[[Bridgnorth Endowed School]]'s Northgate building was once home to the town's grammar school]]

There are a number of [[primary schools]] in Bridgnorth, including: Castlefields County Primary School, two [[Church of England]] schools, St Mary's and St Leonard's; the [[Roman Catholic]] St John's school; and, in addition, the Morville and Brown Clee schools.<ref name="SchoolsList">{{cite web |url=http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/schools.nsf/open/042EA20A25E7FBDC80256D560031DD1B |work=Shropshire County Council |title=Shropshire County Council maintained schools in Bridgnorth |access-date=2 July 2008}}</ref>

The town has two [[secondary schools]]: [[Oldbury Wells School]] and [[Bridgnorth Endowed School]] (previously named [[Bridgnorth Grammar School]]).<ref name="SchoolsList"/> These serve the town and its outlying villages, including [[Alveley]] and [[Highley]].

There is a [[Sixth form college|sixth form]] in Bridgnorth, [http://bridgnorthsixthform.com/ Bridgnorth Sixth Form], which is run within Oldbury Wells School. A consultation was published which outlines consideration of no new student intake in September 2024 and potential closure in September 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bridgnorth 6th Form Consultation |url=http://bridgnorthsixthform.com/bridgnorth-6th-form-consultation |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=bridgnorthsixthform.com |language=en}}</ref> In September 2023, [[Telford College]] made a deal with both Bridgnorth secondary schools.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Richard |date=2023-10-27 |title=College deal could see sixth form saved in Bridgnorth |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/local-hubs/bridgnorth/2023/10/27/college-deal-could-see-sixth-form-saved-in-bridgnorth/ |access-date=2023-11-14 |website=www.shropshirestar.com |language=en}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

==Culture==
[[File:Majestic Cinema, Bridgnorth.jpg|right|thumb|The town's art-deco [[Majestic Cinema, Bridgnorth|Majestic Cinema]]]]
There is a theatre, the ''Theatre on the Steps'', and a 1930s cinema, the [[Majestic Cinema, Bridgnorth|Majestic]]. The Northgate Museum contains many artefacts connected with the town and surrounding area. It was the first independent museum in Shropshire to be accredited by the [[Museums, Libraries and Archives Council]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bridgnorthmuseum.org.uk |title=Bridgnorth's Northgate Museum |publisher=Bridgnorthmuseum.org.uk |date=1 November 2007 |access-date=29 July 2015}}</ref> The town has an orchestra, Bridgnorth Sinfonia, which performers regular concerts in St Mary's Church in East Castle Street.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bridgnorthsinfonia.com|title=Bridgnorth Sinfonia}}</ref>

===Sport and clubs===
[[File:Bridgnorth town centre in the summer sunshine - geograph.org.uk - 1453399.jpg|upright|thumb|The [[New Market Hall, Bridgnorth|New Market Hall building]] at the top of Bridgnorth's High Street]]
[[Bridgnorth Town F.C.]] was the football club based in Bridgnorth. They joined the [[Midland Football Combination|Worcestershire Combination]] in 1938 and twice reached the 5th round of the [[FA Vase]]. They won the championship of the [[West Midlands (Regional) League]] Premier Division in 2008. Affiliated to the club was the junior section known as "Bridgnorth Town Juniors". The teams ranged from under 8s to under 16s and competed in the Telford Junior League. After folding in 2013, the club was effectively replaced by "phoenix club" [[A.F.C. Bridgnorth]].
Bridgnorth Spartans Juniors Football Club run junior and adult teams. These teams include boys' teams, ranging from Under-8s to Under-15s, girls' teams and women's teams. Home games are played at Oldbury Wells School.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

Bridgnorth Rowing Club occupies 'The Maltings' building on the edge of Severn Park, which was purchased by the club in 1983. Work to convert the malting building into the boat house started in 1993. It competes in events in the local region and further afield, including attending the annual Head of the River Race on the [[River Thames|Thames]] in London, and hosts an annual regatta with racing along the length of the Severn Park.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

[[File:Bridgnorth Golf Course - geograph.org.uk - 692401.jpg|right|thumb|Bridgnorth Golf Club is home to an 18-hole course]]
Bridgnorth Army Cadets is the oldest Army Cadet detachment in Shropshire.{{Citation needed|date=April 2019}} The [[Army Cadet Force]] (ACF) in 2010 celebrated 150 years.

In 2007, Bridgnorth hosted the UK Downhill Street Race in cycling.

In January 2010, the Kidderminster branch of Stagecoach Theatre Arts expanded to Bridgnorth, providing the town with a part-time performing arts school for people of ages between 6 and 18. The Kidderminster School is now named "Stagecoach Kidderminster & Bridgnorth".{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

===Media===
Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC West Midlands]] and [[ITV Central]]. Television signals are received from the [[The Wrekin transmitting station|Wrekin]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/The_Wrekin|title=Full Freeview on the The[sic] Wrekin (Telford and Wrekin, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=19 November 2023}}</ref> and the local relay TV transmitters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Bridgnorth|title=Freeview Light on the Bridgnorth (Shropshire, England) transmitter|date=1 May 2004|website=UK Free TV|accessdate=19 November 2023}}</ref>

Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Shropshire]], [[Heart West Midlands]], [[Capital North West and Wales]], [[Smooth West Midlands]], [[Hits Radio Black Country & Shropshire]], [[Greatest Hits Radio Black Country & Shropshire]], and Severnvalley Radio, a community based station.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://severnvalleyradio.co.uk/|title=Severnvalley Radio |access-date=19 November 2023}}</ref>

The town is served by the local newspaper, [[Shropshire Star]] (formerly Bridgnorth Journal).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishpapers.co.uk/england-wmids/bridgnorth-journal/|title=Bridgnorth Journal|date=21 April 2014|website=British Papers|accessdate=19 November 2023}}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:436 bus in the High Street - geograph.org.uk - 1453392 cropped.jpg|right|thumb|The [[Arriva Midlands]] 436 bus service to Shrewsbury enters Bridgnorth through Northgate]]

===Roads===
Bridgnorth grew initially as a [[market town]] at the centre of a system of local radial roads linking it with more rural, smaller settlements. Many of these roads crossed Bridgnorth at the point on the High Street where the town hall now stands. The River Severn historically also played a major role as a trading connection for the town, but is no longer generally navigable this far upstream.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

Bridgnorth is connected to [[Shrewsbury]] and [[Stourbridge]] by the [[A458 road]], [[Telford]] and [[Kidderminster]] by the [[A442 road]], and [[Wolverhampton]] via the [[A454 road]]. The town is {{convert|11|mi|km}} from the [[M54 motorway|M54]] motorway, at Telford.

The A458 passes to the south of the town centre on a by-pass, construction of which was started in 1982 and now serves to relieve the town centre of the congestion that once plagued it. The bypass also provided a second bridge across the Severn at Bridgnorth, which remains the only local alternative to the historic bridge that connects Low and High towns.

===Buses===
The town is served by buses to and from Telford, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton, [[Much Wenlock]], [[Ironbridge]], [[Shifnal]] and Kidderminster. These are operated by [[Arriva Midlands]], Select Bus Services, and [[Diamond West Midlands|Diamond Bus]].

===Railway===
{{Main|Severn Valley Railway|Bridgnorth railway station}}
[[File:Bridgnorth railway station MMB 09.jpg|left|thumb|[[Bridgnorth railway station|Bridgnorth station]] is the current northern terminus of the [[Severn Valley Railway]].]]

Currently the closest towns with active railway stations on the [[National Rail]] network are Telford and Wolverhampton. However, Bridgnorth does still have a station on an active heritage line, the [[Severn Valley Railway]]. Bridgnorth station was not the northern terminus of this line when built, but the main intermediate station, being 18{{frac|1|4}} miles from [[Hartlebury]] and 22{{frac|1|2}} miles from [[Shrewsbury]]. The station, which was opened to the public by the SVR on 1 February 1862, was passed to [[Great Western Railway]] (GWR) and then eventually to [[British Rail]]ways in 1948. It closed to passengers after 101 years of service on 8 September 1963 and to freight traffic on 30 November 1963. Although thought by some to have been closed as part of the [[Beeching cuts]], its planned closure pre-dated his report.

The neo-Jacobean station is the only listed railway station on the Severn Valley Railway. Necessitating that, any future plans to enhance visitor facilities will need to be carefully designed to be in keeping with the railway station's architecture and historic character.

The line now ends just north of the modern-day station, where the line formerly bridged Hollybush Road and passed through Bridgnorth Tunnel and on to the next station on the line, [[Linley Halt railway station|Linley]]. There exists an ongoing debate whether the railway should [[Severn Valley Railway#Northwards|extend]] beyond its current limits north of Bridgnorth.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=214 |title=SVR-Online Forum :: View topic – North of B'north |publisher=Forum.svra.org.uk |access-date=29 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512220232/http://forum.svra.org.uk/viewtopic.php?t=214 |archive-date=12 May 2014 |url-status=usurped |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Cliff railway===
{{Main|Bridgnorth Cliff Railway}}
[[File:BridgnorthCliffRailway-looking-down.jpg|thumb|right|Bridgnorth's [[Bridgnorth Cliff Railway|Castle Hill Railway]]]]
The Bridgnorth Cliff Railway, also known as the Bridgnorth Funicular Railway or Castle Hill Railway, is a [[funicular|funicular railway]] which has operated in Bridgnorth for over 100 years. The line links the lower part of High Town to the upper part. The bottom entrance is adjacent to the [[River Severn]] while the top is adjacent to the ruins of [[Bridgnorth Castle]].

Opened on 7 July 1892 to great fanfare and the proclamation of a public holiday, the line is one of four funicular railways in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] built to the same basic design - the others were the [[Clifton Rocks Railway]] in Bristol; the [[Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway]] in Devon; and the [[Aberystwyth Electric Cliff Railway|Constitution Hill Railway]] in Aberystwyth, Wales.

It is one of the steepest railways in the country and at least one source (the information panel outside the top station) claims it is both the steepest and shortest. It is the only functional inland funicular railway in England - there are about 15 more at English seaside towns.<ref name=BBC>{{cite web | url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-12617870 |title= Bridgnorth Cliff Railway put up for sale |date= 2 March 2011 |publisher= BCC News |access-date=2 March 2011}}</ref> Originally, the railway was powered by a simple system using water and gravity, but was converted in 1943–44 to run on electricity. Then, in 1955, new cars were installed on the railway; these were able to carry 18 passengers each and are still in use today. As of {{As of|2024|alt=April 2024}} return tickets cost £2.00 with discounts available for groups of 15 or more.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.bridgnorthcliffrailway.co.uk/ |title=Welcome to Bridgnorth Cliff Railway |publisher=bridgnorthcliffrailway.co.uk/ |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref> Single tickets are not available.

The railway allows people to easily get between the two parts of High Town as the only other way down is down 200 steps or by using roads which drastically increase the journey. The terminals at the upper and lower part of the railway are currently used as tea-rooms and guest houses.

The railway was temporarily closed in December 2022 due to damage to a retaining wall and further damage was discovered during repairs. The railway reopened on 4 March 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bridgnorthcliffrailway.co.uk/passenger-service-resumed/ |title=Passenger Service Resumed and Cards Accepted |publisher=bridgnorthcliffrailway.co.uk/ |date=4 March 2024 |access-date=30 March 2024}}</ref>

===Walking and cycling===
[[File:Steps to high town - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Stoneway Steps: one of the long flights of steps that lead up to High Town]]

Bridgnorth being split between High and Low Towns is connected by at least a dozen steps — for which the place is noted — from the north, going clockwise:
*innominate steps from Love Lane to Bramble Ridge
*'''Moat St Steps''' from St Leonard's Close to Moat Street
*'''Granary Steps''' from St Leonard's Close to Friars' Street
*'''St Leonard's Steps''' from St Leonard's Close to Cartway
*'''Friars' Loade / Friary Steps''' from Friars' Street to Riverside
*'''Bank Steps''' from Cartway to Riverside
*'''Stoneway Steps''' from Waterloo Terrace to Underhill Street
*'''St Mary's Steps''' from East Castle Street to Underhill Street
*'''Library Steps''' from Castle Walk to Underhill Street
*'''Cannon Steps''' from Castle Walk to Hollybush Road
*'''Folly Hole''' from New Road to Hollybush Road
*'''Ebenezer / Railway Steps''' from New Road to Hollybush Road

The town is on National Route 45 of the Sustrans National Cycle Network, which is named the [[Mercian Way]].

The long-distance trail called the [[Geopark Way]] begins in the town.

Every year since 1967, a sponsored walk has been held in Bridgnorth.<ref name=Lions2017>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridgnorthwalk.org |title=The Bridgnorth Walk and Marathon |work=Bridgnorth Lions |access-date=22 January 2012}}</ref> Since 2017 this has been organised by the Bridgnorth Lions Club.<ref name=Lions2017 />

==Economy==
On the eastern side of the town is a large [[aluminium]] works, founded in the 1950s.<ref>[https://www.bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk/ Bridgnorth Aluminium]</ref>

==Governance==
The [[Town councils in England|town council]] has sixteen members, with four elected from each of the four [[Wards and electoral divisions in the United Kingdom|wards]] that cover the civil parish (named Castle, Morfe, East, and West).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk/council-information/about-us/ |work=Bridgnorth Town Council |title=About us |access-date=31 March 2021 }}</ref> Castle ward includes Oldbury, while Morfe ward includes Danesford and Quatford.<ref name=wards/>

Local government and services are otherwise provided by [[Shropshire Council]] and the town [[2017 Shropshire Council election#Bridgnorth East and Astley Abbotts|elects four of its members]] — one electoral division comprises East and Morfe wards together with [[Astley Abbotts]], and the other comprises West and Castle wards together with [[Tasley, Shropshire|Tasley]].<ref>[https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ Ordnance Survey] Election maps GB</ref> From 1974 until 2009, there was also [[Bridgnorth (district)|Bridgnorth District Council]], a tier of local government between the county and town councils.

==Notable residents==
===Active before 1900===
[[File:Francis-Moore,-1657.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Francis Moore (astrologer)|Francis Moore]] 1657-1715]]
* [[George Synge]] (1594–1652), Bishop of Cloyne from 1638 until his death in 1652.<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle= Synge, Edward |volume= 55 |last= Dunlop |first= Robert |author-link= Robert Dunlop (historian) |pages= 281-283 |year= |quote=see para 3 - "George Synge (1594–1653), uncle of ...."|short=1}}</ref>
* [[Richard Baxter]] (1615–1691) puritan divine, local minister<ref>{{Cite EB1911 |wstitle=Baxter, Richard |volume=3 |pages=551–552}}</ref> called by [[Dean Stanley]] ''the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen''
* [[Edward Synge (bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross)|Edward Synge]] (1621 in Bridgnorth-1678) [[Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross]] in the [[Church of Ireland]].<ref>{{cite DNB|wstitle= Synge, Edward |volume= 55 |last= Dunlop |first= Robert |author-link= Robert Dunlop (historian) |pages= 281-283 |year= |quote=see para 5 - "Edward, the younger son...."|short=1}}</ref>
* [[Francis Moore (astrologer)|Francis Moore]] (1657–1715), physician and astrologer, originator of [[Old Moore's Almanack]].<ref>[http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/bridgnor.htm West Midlands Literary Heritage: Bridgnorth] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511213657/http://www3.shropshire-cc.gov.uk/bridgnor.htm |date=11 May 2008 }}</ref>
* [[Elizabeth Jeffries]] (1727–1752) was an English woman <ref>[http://www.exclassics.com/newgate/ng249.htm    Exclassics.com website, ELIZABETH JEFFRIES AND JOHN SWAN] retrieved December 2017</ref> executed for murder
* [[Thomas Percy (bishop of Dromore)|Thomas Percy]] (1729–1811) was [[Bishop of Dromore]],<ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Percy, Thomas (1729-1811) |volume= 44 |last= Hales |first= John Wesley |author-link= John Wesley Hales |pages= 437-439 |short= 1}}</ref> County Down, Ireland
* [[Mary Martha Sherwood]] (1775-1851), children's author, lived at Bridgnorth between 1795 and her marriage in 1803, in a house in the High Street.<ref>{{cite book|last=Dickins|first=Gordon|title=An Illustrated Literary Guide to Shropshire|year=1987|publisher=Shropshire Libraries|pages=67, 91|isbn=0-903802-37-6}}</ref>
* [[William Macmichael]] (1783–1839) physician and medical biographer,<ref>[http://www.aim25.com/cats/8/7161.htm    Royal College of Physicians, MACMICHAEL, William (1783–1839)] retrieved December 2017</ref> author of ''The Gold-Headed Cane'' (1827)
* [[Samuel Bache]] (1804–1876) was an English Unitarian minister <ref>{{cite DNB |wstitle= Bache, Samuel |volume= 02 |last= Gordon |first= Alexander |author-link= Alexander Gordon (Unitarian) |pages= 317-318 |short= 1}}</ref>
* [[Henry Southwell (bishop)|Henry Southwell]]  (1860-1937), Church of England clergyman, later [[Bishop of Lewes]] 1920/1926, was from Bridgnorth, where his family lived at Woodlands Hall.<ref>{{cite book|title=Who Was Who, 1929-1940|publisher=A & C Black, London|year=1947|page=1268}}</ref>

===Active after 1900===
[[File:Katharine Price Collier St. George.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Katharine St. George]]]]
[[File:Ross Antony Das Beste der Feste1.jpg|thumb|140px|[[Ross Antony]], 2016]]
* [[Henry Cope Colles]] (1879 in Bridgnorth-1943) music critic and lexicographer<ref>Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 5th ed, 1954, Vol II, p. 376</ref>
* Sir [[Terence O'Connor]] (1891 in Bridgnorth – 1940) a Conservative Party politician, MP for [[Luton (UK Parliament constituency)|Luton]] 1924/1929 and [[Nottingham Central (UK Parliament constituency)|Nottingham Central]] 1930/1940 and [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|Solicitor General]] 1936/1940 
* [[John Dudley North]] (1893–1968) was chairman and managing director of [[Boulton Paul Aircraft]], died locally
* [[Katharine St. George]] (1894 in Bridgnorth–1983) was <ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=S000764    Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Katharine St. George (id: S000764)] retrieved December 2017</ref> a Republican member of the [[US House of Representatives]] and cousin of President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]].
* [[Thomas Orde Lawder Wilkinson]] (1894 in Bridgnorth – 1916) Canadian and British Army officer,<ref>[https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29765/supplement/9418    The London Gazette, Publication date:26 September 1916, Supplement:29765, Page:9418] retrieved December 2017</ref> posthumously awarded the [[Victoria Cross]]
* [[Dilys Powell]], (1901–1995) journalist and film critic<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituarydilys-powell-1585062.html   The Independent, 4 June 1995, OBITUARY:Dilys Powell] retrieved December 2017</ref> who wrote for [[The Sunday Times]] for over 50 years, 
* [[Cathcart Wight-Boycott]]  (1910–1998) fighter pilot <ref>[http://www.rafweb.org/Biographies/Wight-Boycott.htm    Air of Authority, A History of RAF Organisation] retrieved December 2017</ref> during WW2 and then a senior RAF officer.
* [[Peter Bullock (scientist)|Peter Bullock]] (1937–2008) [[soil scientist]],<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/jul/01/ipcc   The Guardian,  1 Jul 2008, OBITUARY:Peter Bullock] retrieved December 2017</ref> worked on [[soil morphology]] and [[land degradation]].
* [[George Helon]] (born 1965) Freeman of the City of London, author, businessman and historian.
* [[Michael Hooper (bishop)|Michael Hooper]] (born 1941), Church of England clergyman (ultimately Bishop of Ludlow) was parish curate of St Mary Magdalene's in Bridgnorth 1965 to 1970.<ref>Crockford's Clerical Directory 2008/2009, Church House Publishing, {{ISBN|978-0-7151-1030-0}}</ref> 
* [[Ross Antony]] (born 1974) musical actor,<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1784308/  IMDb Database] retrieved December 2017</ref> singer, TV entertainer in Germany.
* [[Dominic Sandbrook]] (born 1974) historian, author,<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3015882/  IMDb Database] retrieved December 2017</ref> columnist and TV presenter.

===Sport===
[[File:Westwood, Ashley.jpg|thumb|upright=0.65|140px|[[Ashley Westwood (footballer, born 1976)|Ashley Westwood]], 2009]]
* [[Richard Colley (cricketer)|Richard Colley]] (1833-1902) first-class cricketer for [[Oxford University Cricket Club|Oxford University]] and county player for [[Oxfordshire County Cricket Club|Oxfordshire]] and [[Shropshire County Cricket Club|Shropshire]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Percival|first=Tony|title=Shropshire Cricketers 1844-1998|year=1999|publisher=A.C.S. Publications, Nottingham|pages=10|isbn=1-902171-17-9}}Published under Association of Cricket Statisticians and Historians.</ref> retired to Bridgnorth where he died.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Mate|editor-first=C.H. |title=Shropshire, Historical Descriptive, Biographical: Part II - Biographical|year=1907|page=197}}</ref> 
* [[Aubrey Scriven]] (1904 in Highley – 1988), footballer who played 221 games, mainly for [[Bradford City A.F.C.]]
* [[Trevor Meredith]] (born 1936) footballer, 270 pro appearances, mainly for [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]].
* [[Ken Armstrong (footballer, born 1959)|Ken Armstrong]] (1959-2022) former footballer, played about 170 games, injured, joined [[NHS Tayside]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ninewells Hospital staff furious over NHS Tayside probe into missing cash |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/97838/ninewells-hospital-staff-furious-over-nhs-tayside-probe-into-missing-cash/ |newspaper=The Courier |location=Dundee |date=7 August 2012 |access-date=29 December 2017}}</ref>
* [[Steve Perks]] (1963– 2021), football goalkeeper, played 243 games for [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.]].
* [[David Preece (footballer born 1963)|David Preece]] (1963–2007), midfield footballer, played 585 games,<ref>[http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=6450   SoccerBase Database] retrieved December 2017</ref> mainly for [[Luton Town F.C.]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10372~1076295,00.html |title=David Preece |work=Luton Town |access-date=14 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418205304/http://www.lutontown.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10372~1076295%2C00.html |archive-date=18 April 2009 |df=dmy }}</ref>
* [[Gareth Mumford]] (born 1973) cricket [[wicket-keeper]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/35/35618/List_A_Matches.html|title=List A Matches played by Gareth Mumford|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=2 July 2011}}</ref>
* [[Craig Parnham]] (born 1973) field hockey defender and coach,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120725094701/http://www.wlv.ac.uk/default.aspx?page=27930   Craig Parnham, School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton] retrieved December 2017</ref> played at the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000]] & [[2004 Summer Olympics]].
* [[Ashley Westwood (footballer, born 1976)|Ashley Westwood]] (born 1976) former footballer <ref>[http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=8422  SoccerBase Database] retrieved December 2017</ref> and football manager; played 403 games mainly for [[Crewe Alexandra F.C.|Crewe Alex]], [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.]] and [[Wrexham F.C.]]

===Old Bridgnorth School===
{{see also|Bridgnorth Endowed School#Notable former pupils}}

==Twin towns==
{{see also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}

Bridgnorth is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>[https://www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk/news/2013/09/bridgnorth-and-district-twinning-association-meeting/   Bridgnorth Town Council website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120093534/https://www.bridgnorthtowncouncil.gov.uk/news/2013/09/bridgnorth-and-district-twinning-association-meeting/ |date=20 January 2019 }} retrieved 19 January 2019</ref><ref>[https://bridgnorthtwinning.webs.com/   BRIDGNORTH & DISTRICT TWINNING ASSOCIATION] retrieved 21 January 2019</ref>
* [[Thiers, Puy-de-Dôme]], France<ref name="Thiers twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.cncd.fr/frontoffice/bdd-region.asp?action=getRegion&id=3#tabs3 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131004135322/http://www.cncd.fr/frontoffice/bdd-region.asp?action=getRegion&id=3 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 October 2013 |title=National Commission for Decentralised cooperation |access-date=26 December 2013 |work=Délégation pour l’Action Extérieure des Collectivités Territoriales (Ministère des Affaires étrangères) |language=fr }}</ref>
*  [[Schrobenhausen]], Germany

==Closest cities, towns and villages==
{{Geographic location
|title = '''Destinations from Bridgnorth'''
|Northwest = [[Much Wenlock]], '''[[Shrewsbury]]'''
|North     = [[Broseley]], '''[[Telford]]''', [[Newport, Shropshire|Newport]]
|Northeast = [[Albrighton, Bridgnorth|Albrighton]], '''[[Wolverhampton]]'''
|West      = [[Church Stretton]], [[Bishop's Castle]]
|Centre    = Bridgnorth
|East      = [[Bobbington]], [[Wombourne]], '''[[Dudley]]''', '''[[Birmingham]]'''
|Southwest = [[Ludlow]], [[Craven Arms]]
|South     = [[Oldbury, Shropshire|Oldbury]], [[Highley]], [[Chelmarsh]], [[Alveley]], [[Cleobury Mortimer]]
|Southeast = [[Enville, Staffordshire|Enville]], [[Kinver]], '''[[Stourbridge]]''', [[Bewdley]], '''[[Kidderminster]]'''
}}

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Bridgnorth}}
{{Wikivoyage|Bridgnorth}}
*[http://www.aboutbridgnorth.com About Bridgnorth, Tourist and Local Information Site]

{{Shropshire}}
{{River Severn towns}}

{{Severn from Ironbridge to Bewdley}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bridgnorth| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Market towns in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Civil parishes in Shropshire]]
[[Category:Populated places on the River Severn]]