The Regal Cinema

The Regal Cinema was opened in 1937, as one of a small local group of cinemas, and is now the only one left. Once a common sight , the Regal is a very rare surviving example of an art deco style cinema in a small market town. During its life, a few rows of the front seats were removed and a stage was installed allowing it to be used for live shows as well as films.

Thanks to a Heritage Lottery Grant, this Grade 2 listed building was completely refurbished to its original glory in 2012. This included the restoration of the wonderful Italianate murals on the walls of the auditorium.

As well as being in active use for both films and live shows, the Regal is open to visitors from 10.00am to 2.00pm Monday to Saturday. It includes a small museum of film related memorabilia and is well worth a visit. 

The River Teme and the Teme Bridge

The Teme flows through Tenbury Wells on its way from its source in the Kerry Hills of mid Wales to Worcester where it joins the River Severn. Noted for its scenery throughout its length, the whole of the River Teme has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Teme valley near Tenbury Wells is very fertile, and has a good climate and has been an important area for growing fruit and also hops.

Originally crossed by a ford, thought to have been on a continuation of Church Lane, which was the time the main road in Tenbury, the first bridge was built in 1305. It was not at the position of the ford but presumably a convenient point was chosen where the river was narrow and the banks accessible. At the end of the bridge, Teme Street was constructed and became Tenbury’s main street. The bridge remained in this position, possibly being rebuilt several times, until 1580. What must have been a spectacular flood changed the course of the river, and must have washed away the river bank on the Tenbury side and widened the river bed. If you look at the bridge now, it takes six arches to cross the river, whereas the original records from before 1580 refer to only two or three. In building the new arches to connect to the original bridge, Teme Bridge acquired its bend in the middle, which remains to this day and is almost unique on such an important river crossing. The bridge has been repaired and widened more than once, including by Thomas Telford in 1814. The bridge was most recently refurbished in 2012 and was found to be in good condition.

The centre of the river is the county boundary between Worcestershire and Shropshire, and is recorded by a plaque on the bridge. 

The Round Market

Like the Pump Rooms, this was designed by the Birmingham architect James Cranston, but in a somewhat more conventional design. Slightly oval rather than strictly circular, It was built to allow local farmers ‘ wives to have an undercover space to sell butter and other products while their husbands presumably attended the livestock markets which were also held weekly.

In days when there was less traffic than now, the surrounding streets were also filled with market stalls.

The Round Market is still used as a covered market and is open on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year. 

St Mary's Church

The Parish Church of St Mary is in a lovely setting near the River Teme. It is Norman in origin, and referred to in the Domesday Book. There are records referring to a previous Anglo Saxon church, but no remains are visible, and it is not clear whether it was in the same location. Although built in the 11th century, what you see now , apart from the lower half of the tower, is not original, but has been rebuilt at various times. The most major reconstruction followed a flood in 1770 which demolished much of the nave. After this, the floor level was raised, and although this has not prevented subsequent floods from entering the building, never again has there been such serious damage.
The stained glass is 19th century, but many of the windows are believed to be 14th century and clearly survived the floods, as did the alabaster Acton Tomb, the Easter Sepulchre and the Large and Small Crusaders.