Just because I have more time than sense.
I noticed that there was a company called Fletchers Ciders quite near there. I emailed them to see if they knew anything about the mystery house….
“All I can tell you is that it’s part of the property opposite called Railway Farm”
I have just contacted Wyre Forest Society to see if they know anything. Apparently back in the day most of the locals were a lawless lot who used to nip over the stream to Shropshire when the Worcestershire cops were after them.
As a local to this area, I'm going to have to go and explore this cottage in the future.
My family tree is firmly rooted in Far Forest; not sure if you visited The Royal Forester pub? My Great, Great Grandfather is the 'logo' on the pub signage. To be fair, they were an 'interesting' lot, possibly lawless!
If you visit Bewdley down the road, you'll find reference to 'The Hole in The Wall' (think there is a cafe with that name). Years ago it was the Welsh border, and locals in the know could get through the hole in the wall between Wales and England to avoid tolls.
Saw that pub but didn't go in. Actually I think it's not so far along the road as Webmaster indicated. As you drive from the main road, and before Station Road, there is a bridleway on the left, then a grassy track to the right which soon becomes a path, leading downhill between trees. You will start to see the house from the path.
I found the 25" OS map surveyed in 1885 on the nls.uk website that I used for town & country planning casework back in the day. (Worcestershire VII.14 Surveyed: 1883, Published: 1885) Even at that detailed scale, the house is modest and had no name (unlike Steppingstones Farm or Furnace Mill or Birches Farm, all nearby), so I can't take that line of inquiry any further. It is one of a number of similar sized dwellings in that area sited near springs, presumably along a spring line? If you'd continued walking west down the path you'd have dropped down to a ford over the Lem Brook with (on that map) the extensive woodland of Nailings Coppice on the other side. The Great Western Railway (Tenbury & Bewdley Branch) cut through nearby in 1885.
I can't take it any further than that. But I do enjoy digging into old maps, thanks for posting the question.
Thanks very much Fiona. The line of the railway is still there, and there is a Station Road
There is woodland further on, pity we didn't go
as far as the ford.
We live in the next town not far away and sorry to say that we have never visited Wyre Forest itself. We did visit a pub in the area as we were at a rally in Bewdley, but cannot recall the name of the pub.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: The house in Far Forest
via mobile 30/6/2023 at 3:23pm
