IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Park Lane, BEWDLEY, DY12 2ER

Park Lane makes a very steep ascent. Driving up this hill is not for the faint-hearted! The Road coming in on the left is Park Close. That coming in on the right is Orchard Rise, both of these are cul-de-sacs.

The wooded area high above parts of Park Lane and High Street has several footpaths. Behind the camera position the footpath descends to Park Lane.

This steep passageway leads from Park Lane up to the wooded area above parts of Park Lane and High Street. The passageway is in the form of a tiled ramp rather than steps. Fortunately there is a sturdy handrail. Image

The gate gives access to the ramped passageway leading down to Park Lane. See also:- Image

A view towards Park Lane from the metal gate giving access to the ramped passageway. This passageway connects the wooded area above parts of Park Lane and High Street to Park Lane. See also:- Image

The sign is affixed to the wall, above the entrance door. For more about the inn:- Image Update July 2016:- Now permanently closed and converted to residential use. All signage has been removed.

A traditional inn which records show was in existence by at least 1780 but the foundations are older and the inn is thought to be older too. It was renamed the Woodcolliers Arms in the early 1800's when the owners were both wood colliers (charcoal burners) and publicans. Welch Gate got its name from the old tollgate entry into Bewdley from Wales which was near to the inn. This view shows Welch Gate winding its way up a hill to the right of the inn. Image Update July 2016:- Sadly this historic inn closed earlier this year and has been converted to residential use. All signage has been removed.

Many years ago this road was full of inns and public houses, but almost all are long gone. But it is still possible to see that No. 7 Welch Gate was once an inn, because the words Anchor Inn can be faintly seen between the first and second floor windows. The recently repainted building on the left rather shows up the fact that No. 7 hasn't been painted externally for some time. Unfortunately when it is done, its history will be less self-evident. Today the building is used as residential flats. Image Image

This photograph gives a close view of the name Anchor Inn which can still be seen painted between the first and second floor windows of this building. In fact the name has been painted twice, at least, and they are not in alignment which makes things slightly confusing. Looking at this photograph there is also some smaller lettering below on the right. Here is a photograph of that:- Image Image