Difference between revisions of "Dropping Well Farm"
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[[File:Bewdley_International_Airport_20150725.jpg |thumb|300px|right| The runway at Bewdley International Airport in 2015]] | [[File:Bewdley_International_Airport_20150725.jpg |thumb|300px|right| The runway at Bewdley International Airport in 2015]] | ||
| − | '''Bewdley International Airport''' | + | '''Bewdley International Airport''' was the 'tongue-in-cheek' nickname of the private landing strip (ICAO code XEG3DW) in the field on the left of the line after leaving [[Bewdley Tunnel]] travelling towards [[Bewdley]]. Two small hangars and a windsock are located at the end of the field nearest Bewdley. The grass strip was always left intact when the field was ploughed. |
| − | The 'Airport' | + | The 'Airport' was situated at Droppingwells Farm or Dropping Well Farm and is opposite [[Devil's Spittleful (Rifle Range) Bridge | The Devil's Spittleful]]. The farm is operated by J & W.E. Willets Ltd. |
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| + | In 2020 100 acres at Dropping Well Farm were purchased by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation through their Land Purchase Fund on behalf of [https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/heathland-hero Worcestershire Wildlife Trust], with the intention to restore heathland and connect with The Devil's Spittleful and Blackstone Farm Fields nature reserves and Wyre Forest District Council's Rifle Range and Burlish Top nature reserves.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-54619198 'Plans to create 'largest heathland habitat' in Worcestershire, BBC, 21 October 2020] (Retrieved 22 October 2020)</ref> By April 2021 the grass strip that had always been left intact had been ploughed out. | ||
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| + | The surrounding field had also become noted for its display of red poppies, which require tilled stall to germinate and thrive. It is expected that the return to heathland will diminish these fine displays. | ||
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<gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left"> | <gallery mode=packed heights=200px style="text-align:left"> | ||
Bewdley_International_Airport_20210417.jpg|The same view in April 2021 | Bewdley_International_Airport_20210417.jpg|The same view in April 2021 | ||
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==Access for photography== | ==Access for photography== | ||
| − | The location is accessed via the B4195 out of Bewdley towards the A456. A right turn immediately after the pedestrian crossing, before the roundabout, will lead you to a small car park, which has good access to the length of line. Once parked, cross the road and follow the lane in the Kidderminster direction (sign posted as a cycle way). Staying on the right side of the railway, you reach | + | It should be noted that the area of the field used by photographers is not a public right of way. In 2021 the new owners erected signs directing photographers to designated pathways to avoid damaging the recovering land. |
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| + | The location is accessed via the B4195 out of Bewdley towards the A456. A right turn immediately after the pedestrian crossing, before the roundabout, will lead you to a small car park, which has good access to the length of line. Once parked, cross the road and follow the lane in the Kidderminster direction (sign posted as a cycle way). Staying on the right side of the railway, you reach what is now the nature reserve at Dropping Well Farm. A gallery of photographers can sometimes be seen at the top of the field for views of trains on the SVR. | ||
====Directions==== | ====Directions==== | ||
Revision as of 22:06, 1 November 2021
Bewdley International Airport was the 'tongue-in-cheek' nickname of the private landing strip (ICAO code XEG3DW) in the field on the left of the line after leaving Bewdley Tunnel travelling towards Bewdley. Two small hangars and a windsock are located at the end of the field nearest Bewdley. The grass strip was always left intact when the field was ploughed.
The 'Airport' was situated at Droppingwells Farm or Dropping Well Farm and is opposite The Devil's Spittleful. The farm is operated by J & W.E. Willets Ltd.
In 2020 100 acres at Dropping Well Farm were purchased by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation through their Land Purchase Fund on behalf of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, with the intention to restore heathland and connect with The Devil's Spittleful and Blackstone Farm Fields nature reserves and Wyre Forest District Council's Rifle Range and Burlish Top nature reserves.[1] By April 2021 the grass strip that had always been left intact had been ploughed out.
The surrounding field had also become noted for its display of red poppies, which require tilled stall to germinate and thrive. It is expected that the return to heathland will diminish these fine displays.
The same view in April 2021
Access for photography
It should be noted that the area of the field used by photographers is not a public right of way. In 2021 the new owners erected signs directing photographers to designated pathways to avoid damaging the recovering land.
The location is accessed via the B4195 out of Bewdley towards the A456. A right turn immediately after the pedestrian crossing, before the roundabout, will lead you to a small car park, which has good access to the length of line. Once parked, cross the road and follow the lane in the Kidderminster direction (sign posted as a cycle way). Staying on the right side of the railway, you reach what is now the nature reserve at Dropping Well Farm. A gallery of photographers can sometimes be seen at the top of the field for views of trains on the SVRSevern Valley Railway.
Directions
Dropping Well Farm, Stourport Road, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1PZ
The nearest Postcode for Satnav directions is DY12 1PU
Lat. & Long. coordinates; 52.367587, -2.282182 View location on Google Maps
Ordnance Survey Grid Reference; SO 806744 View location on an OS map
See also
References
- ↑ 'Plans to create 'largest heathland habitat' in Worcestershire, BBC, 21 October 2020 (Retrieved 22 October 2020)
