G RO U P T R AV E L PA C K 2 011

A wonderful way to spend a day!

Fantastic Fare Offer!Exclusively for Group Organisers and Coach Operatorsseeking a great day out at a very special price, FantasticFares offer could be just the thing! Enjoy a leisurely ride by steam-hauled train through sixteenmiles of beautiful countryside.Your group must start its journey at either Kidderminster orBridgnorth and travel as one group to qualify for this offer.Travel weekdays when timetable D is in operation on anycombination of the following trains.

• Offer available on Kidderminster trains that depart at 2:00pm & 4:00pm and Bridgnorth trains that depart at 12:00 Noon & 3:50pm when timetable D is in operation.

• Single or return train travel for groups of fifteen or more adults/seniors.

• Fantastic Fares Offer of £6.50 per Adult/Senior (single) or£8.50 per Adult/ Senior (return).

• Reserved seats in one of our historic carriages for your group.

• You must quote ‘Fantastic Fares’ at time of booking to qualify.

A break of journey is permitted to visit The Engine House,our Visitor Centre at Highley. Groups wishing use this astheir lunch stop may wish to visit Buffers Café Restaurantwhich offers a variety of hot and cold refreshments with alunch menu to satisfy all budgets and tastes. This visit costs £2.95 per Adult & Senior and £1.50Children (Aged 4-15 Years of age) when combined with asingle journey, but is FREE when a return journey isbooked.

Light refreshments together with soft and alcoholic drinksmay be purchased from the trolley or buffet on the train atan additional cost (subject to availability).Passengers arriving at Kidderminster on the 12 Noon fromBridgnorth may wish to visit The Valley Suite, ourcomfortable restaurant adjacent to the platform atKidderminster for light refreshments or lunch.

If you are looking for a really special day out for yoursocial group, what could be better than a leisurelytrain ride along the beautiful Severn Valley?

Journey back in time as one of our vintage steamhauled trains meanders its way through unspoiltWorcestershire and Shropshire countryside, and withour combined visits enjoy a visit to a leading localattraction – all in one day.

Pre-booked groups of fifteen or more qualify forspecially discounted prices and there are also offersfor senior citizens’ groups and our ever popularSanta Steam Specials.

Santa Steam SpecialsThe Severn Valley Railway is offering pre-booked groups adiscounted price to travel on our ever popular Santa SteamSpecial trains on either Saturday 3rd or Sunday 4thDecember 2011.The price of £9.50 per person, adult or child, includes travelfrom Kidderminster to Arley and return, entry to Santa’sGrotto and a present for all children aged between one andfifteen years old.Santa Steam Specials depart from Kidderminster at:

09.45 10.15 10.45 11.15 11.45 12.15 12.45

1.15 2.00 2.30 3.00

This exciting experience requires a minimum of 21/2 hoursfrom start to finish but this is only a guide.Book an outward departure time to suit your group andreturn at your leisure. A seat for every member of yourgroup is guaranteed on the outward journey to Arley.Santa Steam Specials also operate on 10 & 11, 17 & 18, and24 December 2011 when the normal fare of £10.50 foradults and children applies.Santa Steam Specials are notavailable in conjunction withany other special offersor discounts.Presents for babiescan be providedon request at anadditional cost.Please enquire forprice.It is recommendedthat your group arrives atKidderminster Station atleast forty minutes before thedeparture time of yourbooked train.

G R O U P T R A V E L 2 0 11

February 19Classic Transport Day

(Timetable A)

Displays of classic road transport at Bridgnorth and Highley.

July 23 & 24Severn Valley in Bloom

Timetable C (Sat), B (Sun)Normal fares + additional charge forthe ‘Dance Train’. Featuring theGreat Train Dance – The Rosie KayDance Company invites you on amagical mystery journey, where time stands still and thingsare not as they should be! This event is part of the West Mid-lands’ Culture programme for London 2012 – Saturday only.The Severn Valley at its summertime best!

August 27, 28 & 29Seaside Special

(Timetable C)Buckets and spades at the ready as the seaside comes to the Midlands for this bank holiday weekend. Punch and Judy, magic shows, children’s rides and even a ‘beach’ makes this event a great day out for the children.

September 23, 24 & 25Autumn Steam Gala

(Special timetable)Visiting steam locomotives, all night running and a very frequent service oftrains. Something for all railway enthusiasts.

S P E C I A L E V E N T S 2 011In additon to our dedicated group travel we have a programme of themed eventsthroughout 2011. Please note that special timetables and fares may be in operation forsome of these events. In particular, our “Gala” events will have a revised fare structure inoperation. Details should be available from Severn Valley Railway approximately two weeksin advance of the event listed. No reserved seating is available for groups on some of ourspecial events, when special timetables apply.

May 15Land Rover Line Up!(Timetable B) If you thought that you knew everything about Land Rovers, think again! The owners will be morethan happy to share their passion for these vehicles with you.

May 20, 21 & 22The Sounds of the 1960’s(Special Timetable) Now in a new three day format. Visiting steam and diesel locomotives, tribute bands on our stage at Kidderminster and displays at our other stations. Come as you are or in the clothes of the day. Were you a mod or a rocker or just one ofthe pretty things?

June 25 & 26, July 2 & 31940’s Weekends(Special Timetable) We turn the clocks back to the 1940’s with this light-hearted journey back to wartime Britain.

December 21, 22 & 23Santa Heralds

(Special Timetable)

December 26 - 31 & January 1 - 2 2012Festive Season Service

(Special Timetable)With the Christmas festivities over why not blow the cobwebs clean away with an exciting steam train journey along the Severn Valley.

October 9Classic Car & Bike Day

(Timetable C)A fascinating collection of historic carsand motorcycles at stations along the line.

October 23 - 30Take the Ghost Train...

(Timetable B)Our new event for families at Halloween! With ghostly goings on and spooky goody bags. Why not take one of our evening

December 3, 4, 10, 11 17, 18 & 24Santa Steam Specials

(Special Timetable)A firm favourite with families who returnyear after year! Travel from Kidderminsterto visit Santa in his grotto at Arley. Presents for all fare paying children.

The Engine House, our Visitor & Education Centre atHighley in Shropshire, is midway along the SevernValley Railway line. In modern, comfortablesurroundings The Engine House features our reservecollection of full size steam locomotives, railwayartifacts and other exhibitions telling the story of theSevern Valley and its evocative railway journey.

The Engine House is an ideal stopping off point forany group enjoying the experience of a day on aheritage steam railway and is now booking for visitsin 2011.

ADVANCE BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL (01299 403816).

Engine House packagesfor groups can include:

4

T H E E N G I N E H O U S ESEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY VISITOR & EDUCATION CENTRE

• Travel by heritage steam train

• A guide to meet your group (minimum 15 Adults) as they disembark from the train at Highley Station

• Optional guided tours

• Fascinating audio visual presentation

• Café Restaurant - the best viewalong the valley

• Optional pre-booked catering available on selected dates

• Private meeting rooms

•Well stocked gift shop

• Disabled access

• Outside picnic area

• Childrens play area

Key1 The Engine House Visitor &Education Centre

2 Highley Station3 Exclusive parking for disabled

4 Picnic areas5 Woodland walk to The En-gine House

6 Footpath to the riverside7 Refreshment kiosk8 Tourist Information Point9 Toilets

The Engine House - availability datesfor Pre-Booked Catering GroupsJAN Closed to VisitorsFEB 5 - 6 12 - 13 19 - 27MAR 5 - 6 12 - 13 19 - 20 26 - 27APRIL 2 - 3MAY 9 - 14 16 - 19 23 - 27JUNE 6 - 24 27 - 30JULY 4 - 22 Other dates by prior arrangementsAUG By prior arrangementsSEPT 1 - 22 26 - 30OCT 1 - 2 15 - 16 22 - 30NOV 5 - 6 12 - 13 19 - 20 26 - 27DEC By prior arrangementsJAN 2012 By prior arrangements

All dates are subject to availability please enquire before booking

92

4

8

7

6

3

5

The world’s first passenger-carrying locomotive wasbuilt in Bridgnorth, long before Stephenson’sRocket and the Industrial Revolution began atIronbridge. But nowadays, the Severn, clear andunpolluted, is a quiet haven for anglers, walkersand wildlife, and the former colliery site is now acountry park. However, we retain a link with ourpioneering past in the form of the Severn ValleyRailway, a truly stunning attraction that operatessteam trains throughout the year, carryingpassengers for 16 glorious miles along the rivervalley to Kidderminster.

A R O U N D T H E S E V E R N V A L L E Y

In and around BridgnorthThis market town, founded in the 11th century, is virtuallyunique in England. It’s been compared to Old Jerusalem,the Dordogne and even, according to Sir John Betjeman,heaven itself! High Town perches on a sandstone cliffoverlooking the Severn; Low Town is built along the river’sbanks. There are wonderful views of the valley from theCastle Walk, and a gigantic fragment of the Norman keep -given a makeover courtesy of the Parliamentarians in theCivil War - leans at an impossible angle in the landscapedCastle Grounds. At the far end of the High Street,Northgate is sited on the old town wall; a reminder of thedays when Bridgnorth was a fortified settlement withheavily guarded gatehouses. The Northgate Museum in theroom that bridges the road is filled with fascinating exhibitsfrom throughout the district, lovingly preserved anddisplayed.

What goes up must come down, and you can get from Highto Low Town and vice versa in considerable style via theCliff Railway, a splendid piece of Victorian engineering thatcarries passengers at a stately pace through a deep, steepdefile cut into the cliff. Or walk down Cartway to theflower-filled Quayside, the cliffs and caves of LavingtonGardens and on to Severn Park. If you feel energetic, samplesome of the town’s seven sets of donkey steps - there are748 of them.

After enjoying the town, go wild in the country! Take a rideon the Severn Valley Railway. After visiting High or Lowtown, where you will find some excellent places to eat,drink and stay in Bridgnorth. We’ve a fine reputation forquality food, locally brewed ales and superb accommodation.

Dudmaston Hall, near Bridgnorth, is a late 17th centuryhouse set in lovely gardens. There are paths through theestate, and the wooded Dingle is a particular delight. Thehouse is in the care of the National Trust, and the familyrooms contain fine furniture, paintings and objects d’art. Apleasant surprise in this setting is the late Sir GeorgeLabouchere’s outstanding collection of contemporarypaintings and sculpture. Open-air productions often takeplace in the grounds each summer, and there are otherevents throughout the year.

Daniels Mill lies on the outskirtsof Bridgnorth. In a delightfullysecluded setting, it’s knownlocally as ‘the mill in the hole’. Ithas been in the present owner’sfamily for 200 years, and stillgrinds wheat to producetraditional wholemeal flour. The38-foot iron water wheel is aspectacular sight reflected in themill pool, and the guided toursare extremely popular. As asouvenir with a difference,visitors can buy flour straightfrom the millstones!

Gardens and FarmsBridgnorth has won a number of top awards for its floraldisplays, including the 2006 Gold Award, in the TownCategory, in Heart of England in Bloom. The town ismightily proud of its successes and the way that the wholecommunity gets behind the push to turn Bridgnorth into ariot of colour.

The floral displays are trulyspectacular all summer long, withhanging baskets, planters, gardens,parks and public places a mass ofblooms. The shops, restaurants,pubs and private houses all getinvolved, and there’s a spirit offriendly rivalry as whole streetstry to ensure that their showingwill be the best.

Transport and IndustryThe Severn Valley Railway is a restored standard gauge linelinking Bridgnorth with Kidderminster, 16 miles away. Steamtrains operate throughout the year, calling at picturesquecountry stations all along the route, which takes in some ofthe most beautiful scenery in the Severn Valley. You can rideto the end of the line and on the return journey alight at awayside station and enjoy a riverside walk back to town.

There are extensive visitor facilities at each end of the line,including gift shops, cafeterias and two nostalgic real ale pubs,replete with memorabilia from the golden days of steam.Special events take place all year round: steam and dieselgalas, 1940s re-enactment weekends, Thomas the TankEngine days, vehicle rallies and other attractions.

The wooded slopes of the Ironbridge Gorge present a farmore peaceful picture nowadays than they did at the heightof the Industrial Revolution. Now a World Heritage Site, thishistoric landscape contains a wealth of carefully restoredindustrial archaeology, the world’s first iron bridge and aseries of museums that celebrate the astonishing diversity andcreativity of the people who lived and worked here.

A Visitor Passport gives access to Blists Hill Victorian Town,where historic buildings, factories and shops have beenreconstructed and volunteers in period costume demonstratepast skills; the Coalbrookdale Museum of Iron and theCoalport China Works Museum. You will also want to visitthe Iron Bridge, the Jackfield Tile Museum, where you cantry your hand at designing a tile, Maws Craft Centre atJackfield housed in the Victorian factory of Maw & Co., theinteractive Enginuity attraction; the inclined plane, the tartunnel - the list goes on. You’ll need several days to see it all- there are ten museums alone - and the Passport allows youto do just that. But whatever you do, don’t miss a visit tothe most extraordinary district in the world.

Food, Markets, CraftsThe advantages of country life are brought sharply intofocus when it comes to regional produce. An abundance offresh fruit, vegetables, quality meat and game in season allfeatures extensively on local menus, and we have a greatselection of real ales from Shropshire breweries. There’s aflourishing vineyard at Halfpenny Green, making white, redand rosé wines of excellent character.

Bridgnorth’s atmospheric open-air markets attract shoppersfrom far and wide. Each Saturday the High Street andMeredith’s Yard are filled with colourful awnings as traderssell everything from fresh fish to lawnmowers. Beneath thearches of the town hall, local people set out their stalls eachFriday and Saturday, offering plants, preserves and produce,cakes, flowers and crafts.

HighleyHighley Colliery wasonce at the heart ofthe rich Shropshirecoalfields. However,the pit closed in 1969and the village - still avillage, although thesize of a small town -adapted to a differentlifestyle. But the strong community spirit remains, and thelocals’ pride in their mining heritage is reflected in theDiscovery Trail, a specially commissioned series of artworks,which leads visitors from the Severn Valley Railway stationto the village centre. The works - sculptures bronzes,ceramics - show the history of Highley from Doomsday tothe present, and the men who cut the coal are given theirdue prominence.

The Severn Valley Country Park lies on both banks of theriver and is a nature-lover’s paradise, with severalwaymarked walks, some with good wheelchair access, picnicplaces and a visitor centre. Wildlife abounds, and it’sdifficult to believe that this gloriously green and pretty spotwas once the heart of the Highley and Alveley miningoperation. Highley is also the home of the Severn ValleyRailway’s exciting new Engine House. The new visitorcentre houses a collection of steam locos, fascinating railwayvehicles and artefacts.

BewdleyBewdley is a pretty Georgian town in Worcestershire on thebanks of the Severn. An important river crossing for centuries,the first bridge was constructed in 1447, however the currentstone bridge was designed by Thomas Telford and dates from1798. During the 17th and 18th centuries Bewdley was anprominent inland port handling wool, coal and charcoal.Many industries and trades developed during this periodincluding boat building, rope making, tanning, brass foundriesand more latterly pewtering. Today Bewdley Pewter is verydesirable and highly prized by collectors.

Stanley Baldwin, three times British Prime Minister, was bornin Bewdley. The house of his birth remains as does a beautifulWilliam Morris stained glass window within St Leonard’sChurch dedicated to the memory of his grandmother, HannahMcDonald, who was also grandmother of Rudyard Kipling.

More recently Bewdley has undergone a £10 million flooddefence scheme to help protect buildings and homes fromsevere flooding which has become a regular occurrenceduring excessively wet weather.

Text and images supplied by Shropshire Tourism and BridgnorthDistrict Council.

Tourist InformationBridgnorth Tourist Information office: 01746 763257Bewdley Tourist Information office: 01299 404740Shropshire Tourism 01743 261919Destination Worcestershire 01905 728787www.shropshiretourism.infowww.shropshireforgroups.co.ukwww.svr.co.uk/groupswww.visitworcestershire.org

C O M B I N E D V I S I T SThese combined visits are organised in partnershipwith leading midland attractions, feature a singletrain journey along the length of the Severn ValleyRailway and your coach will then meet you at theend of the line to take you onto your bookedattraction. Prices are based on groups of fifteen ormore adults booked in advance and include a singlejourney, reserved seats in a historic carriage andadmission to the partnering attraction. Lightrefreshments together with soft and alcoholicdrinks may be purchased from the trolley or buffeton the train (subject to availability). It should benoted that these combined visits are not available inconjunction with any other offers, members’ rates,shareholders’ tickets, local residents’ rail card andany other forms of discounts or offers.

Victorian Town and Steam - 2011Step back more than a century and explore the homes, workplaces and shops in this recreated Victorian Town in thebeautiful Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage site, Shropshire.Chat to the townsfolk about their lives, buy curious productsin the Chemist or the drapers and enjoy a pint of ale in thepub. Blists Hill Victorian Town is a great group day out. Once you've been to Ironbridge then step back in time to the years of steam and seat back and enjoy a relaxing steamhauled experience along the Severn Valley Railway passingthrough some of our architectural delights. Experience thenostalgia of this preserved 16 mile railway line.

Adults: £17.90 60 Plus: £17.50 Child: £11.40

April: 2 - 3 9 - 21

May: 9 - 15 16 - 19 23 - 29

June: 1 - 24 27 - 30

July: 4 - 31

Aug: 1 - 28

Sept: 1 - 22 26 - 30

Oct: 1 - 2 15 - 16 22 - 30

Choc & Steam Experience - 2011 A visit to Cadbury World follows a relaxing and nostalgicSteam Hauled train experience. On arrival at Kidderminsteryour group can take in the atmosphere of years gone by whilstexperiencing our railway museum and gift shop. During thejourney your group will pass through some of the best countryside the Severn Valley as to offer. Each of the six stations between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth are unique inthe own right. Cadbury World, where chocolate comes to life,has 20 years experience of welcoming groups of all ages. Withfourteen amazing zones dedicated to the magic, history andfun behind one of Britain’s best-loved brands there is so muchto see and do. If your group hasn’t been to Cadbury World fora few years there are so many new features to look out for onyour return visit. Always pioneers, Cadbury’s advertising hasbeen at the forefront over the years, generating awareness in-novation (and gorillas!) Sing along to jingles you thought you’dforgotten and smile as sweet memories come flooding back.How many great Cadbury ads will you remember when youvisit our new exhibition called Advertising Avenue. Fromlearning how your favourite confectionery is made, uncoveringthe fascinating story of chocolate and the Cadbury business toplaying in chocolate rain and writing your name in liquidchocolate. Whether you’re looking for fun, heritage, a drumming gorilla or just something different, a visit to Cad-bury World has something for everyone.

Off Peak - £18.60 adults and senior

April: 2 - 3 9 - 21

May: 9 - 15 16 - 19 23 - 29

June: 1 - 24 27 - 30

July: 4 - 31

Sept: 1 - 22 26 - 30

Oct: 1 - 2 15 - 16 22-30

Peak - £19.50 adults and senior

Aug: 1 - 28

C O M B I N E D V I S I T S

Wild Tracks - 2011Go on a relaxing steam-hauled train journey along the SevernValley from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. Each of our six sta-tions is architectural delight, surrounded by well-kept gar-dens. The overall experience is pure nostalgia mixed withsplendid views along the way. A visit not to be missed! Com-bine the journey with a visit to West Midland Safari Park.The Park’s four-mile Safari spans 100 acres and is home tomore than 600 exotic animals that include the UK¹s onlypride of rare White Lions. The Park can also boast a Discov-ery Trail, live shows, games and amusement rides.

£17.90 per Adults and Senior Citizens. £10.00 Children.

April: 2 - 3 9 - 21

May: 9 - 15 16 - 19 23 - 29

June: 1 - 24 27 - 30

July: 4 - 31

Aug: 1 - 28

Sept: 1 - 22 26 - 30

Oct: 1 - 2 15 - 16 22 - 30

The Living History Tour - 2011Take a single steam train journey along the beautiful SevernValley and enjoy a nostalgic look whilst combining our visitwith the award winning Black Country Living Museum allon the same day! Discover a fascinating world when youvisit Britain's friendliest open-air museum. Meet the characters in the original shops and houses, ride on the tram-car or explore the underground coal mine. The Living His-tory Tour is available for pre-booked groups of fifteen ormore adults travelling on designated trains and dates.

£17.90 Adults and Senior Citizens. £10.00 Children.

April: 2 - 3 9 - 21

May: 9 - 15 16 - 19 23 - 29

June: 1 - 24 27 - 30

July: 4 - 31

Aug: 1 - 28

Sept: 1 - 22 26 - 30

Oct: 1 - 2 15 - 16 22 - 30

How to bookFor information and booking on Wild Tracks, Living History Tour, and Victorian Town and Steam pleasecontact Severn Valley Railway on 01299 403816.

For information and booking on Choc & Steam please call Cadbury World on 0845 450 3599.

S T A T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N

Kidderminster Town StationSatellite Navigation: Kidderminster Station, Comberton Hill, DY10 1QXSituated on Comberton Hill, the A448 Kidderminster –Bromsgrove road and is signposted from KidderminsterRing Road, the A449 Worcester – Wolverhamptonroad. It is also signposted from the M5 Junction 3southbound and northbound and M5 junction 6northbound. Follow the brown tourist signs depictingthe little steam engine.Those arriving by coach are recommended to use theset down point adjacent to the booking hall entrance,as this will avoid a significant walk to reach the stationplatform from our coach and car park.The SVR car and coach park is situated to the right ofthe station building as you approach it. The car park tothe left of the SVR station is operated by CentralTrains.On Bank Holiday weekends and other days when theRailway is exceptionally busy there are other car parkswithin a few minutes walk of the station.All car parks are “pay & display”.

Bewdley StationSatellite Navigation: Bewdley Station, Station Road, DY12 1BGSituated just off Stourport Road. Follow the browntourist signs from the Bewdley bypass, the A456Kidderminster – Leominster road.At Bewdley there is a car park adjacent to and withineasy reach of the platforms.PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS NO TURNING CIRCLEFOR COACHES AT BEWDLEY AND THAT THE CARPARK IS OFTEN CONGESTED.

A PUBLIC COACH PARK IS SITUATED IN THE TOWNCENTRE ON DOG LANE CAR PARK.

Bridgnorth StationSatellite Navigation: Bridgnorth Station, Hollybush Road, WV16 5DTSituated in Hollybush Road on the west side of theRiver Severn and is signposted from the A458Birmingham – Stourbridge – Shrewsbury road and theA442 Telford – Kidderminster road.The car and coach park at Bridgnorth is long andnarrow. Coaches are strongly advised to use the parkingbays provided at the bottom of the station approachroad. There is a short uphill walk from the coach parkingpoint to the station platforms. Children will need to beclosely supervised on this car park.If the SVR coach park is full, parties should bedropped off at the bottom of the slope leading up tothe station and the coach then moved to the SevernStreet coach park in Low Town, Bridgnorth.Turn right out of the station car park into HollybushRoad and cross the river at Bridge Street. Follow signsfor Kidderminster, the A442. The coach park issignposted and is to the right of the A442 in SevernStreet.All car parks are “pay & display”.PLEASE NOTE THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO TURNCOACHES NEAR TO THE STATION BUILDING.

Arley, Highley & Hampton LoadeStationsThe narrow country lanes are unsuitable for normalcoaches at these stations and there are no generalparking facilities. We do not recommend that coachesstart at these stations.

Coaches & Mini-busesWe do not charge for coaches or minibuses bringingpre-booked groups who are travelling on the SVR.

Severn Valley Railway (Holdings) plcThe Railway Station

BewdleyWorcestershire DY12 1BG

Telephone: 01299 403816Facsimile: 01299 400839Email: grouptravel@svr.co.uk

Web: www.svr.co.uk

A wonderful way to spend a day!