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Orchard Rise, BEWDLEY, DY12 2EW

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

This is the start of the old and steep road known as Welch Gate, looking towards the town centre. An interesting fact about this road is that at one time one in every six buildings was a public house. Today only two survive, the Woodcolliers Arms, which is round the corner on the right, and the Cafe/Bar at Number 1 Welch Gate, which is at the bottom of the road. Today it isn't easy to identify all the former public houses, but although Welch Gate may have lost so many, Bewdley as a whole retains a surprisingly high number for such a relatively small town.

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.

An OS cutmark on a roadside retaining wall (footpath above) on the side of Welch Gate in Bewdley; originally levelled at 33.079m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.

Pub at 76 Welch Gate, on the corner of Sandy Bank. Wood colliers is a local name for charcoal burners.