The Familiar with New Eyes
I know Kidderminster like the back of my hand. Its streets, churches, pubs, and jumble of buildings are everyday landmarks to me. But I’m also a completist. One of the half-dozen Circular Rail Walks passes through here, and I want to see the town through someone else’s eyes. Nobody does guides quite as thoroughly as Nikolaus Pevsner. His volumes are essentially “books of lists,” cataloguing the unusual and the unique—and who doesn’t love a list?
The trouble is, Kiddy doesn’t quite lend itself to his method. Pevsner summed it up, with characteristic bluntness, as
“...... a town uncommonly devoid of visual pleasure and architectural interest.”
This won't stop me exploring. The big old German Grump.
An easy walk along the canal to Wolverley. Too early for the Lock Inn. Back to town on newly discovered paths through Sion Hill and the urban regeneration that has happened over Springfield Park.
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| Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal before Wolverley |
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| Urban Regeneration at Springfield Park |
The only exception to Pevsner's grumblings is Church Street. But even then, the urban planners get it both barrels....
"..... Church Street, rising to the open space in front of a splendid church. This being so, the authorities have decided to absorb that very open space into the new ring road, cutting off the church. It is a crying-out crime against the town."
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| A nicer view of St Marys than from Church Street |
He goes on to point out a rather pedestrian looking Georgian House (No. 30) and a c1600 timber-framed building.
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| Number 30 - Pevsner loved the doorways |
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| Kiddy's oldest secular building? |
I hoped to bring you liquid refreshment. Kidderminster has had a new bar/cafe opening - located in Church Street, housed in a repurposed Unitarian Church and imaginatively called "The Church". I wondered what clientele would be attracted to a venue that charges lunchtime sandwiches for £15.95. There is the promise of two cask hand-pulls. How much and what, I will have to come back to you on. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
My investigations need to continue - there is a page full of delights in St Mary's Church - and the occasional opportunity to climb the tower for "impressive views over all of Kidderminster".
I'll make sure the planets align.
Or go to the Seven Stars.
Walk Details
Distance - 4.5 Miles
Geocaches - 3
Other Circular Rail Walks - Evesham
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