Worcestershire Tourist Guide - Articles
Droitwich
The historic town of Droitwich Spa is known for being a Brine Spa. Surrounded by rural countryside and approx 15 miles south of Birmingham, Droitwich is a town of great charm and character, offering both visitors and locals plenty to see and enjoy.
Droitwich was known as "Salinae" by the Romans - this means the place of salt, salt was originally produced here by prehistoric salt makers.
The natural Droitwich brine contained 2 1/2 lbs of salt per gallon - ten time stronger than sea water and only rivaled by the Dead Sea. The historic Brine baths built in 1876 were known for their therapeutic and remedial benefits, you could float in the water weightless in the warm brine of the bathing pool.
Droitwich developed as a fashionable Spa through the efforts of the leading entrepreneur of the day - John Corbett, the member of parliament and Droitwich "Salt King", who built the truely magnificent Chateau Impney (now a hotel) with its castle turrets and splendid French gardens.
Droitwich High Street boasts many timber-framed buildings with an eclectic mix of traditional shops and local pubs. The heart of the town is Victoria Square leading to the St Andrew's Square shopping centre with several high street chain stores.
Collectively known as the Droitwich Canal, two canals met in the town centre. The Droitwich Barge Canal built by James Brindley in 1771 and the Droitwich Junction Canal built in 1854. The Junction canal linked Droitwich to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. More than 70 years after the canals were abandoned in 1939 a restoration program saw them re-opened in 2011.
The only whole canals to be fully restored in almost a decade, the Droitwich Canals are the final link in a brand new cruising circuit – the Mid-Worcestershire Ring. The ring allows boats, cyclists and ramblers to make a 21-mile circular journey through some of the UK's most beautiful and historic countryside, fom the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to the River Severn, through the city of Worcester and back again.
DROITWICH SPA HERITAGE CENTRE
The Droitwich Spa Heritage and Information Centre is housed on the former Brine Baths site, which was first established in the 1880's. The present black and white building, known as St. Richard's House, dates from the 1930's and consists of a very friendly and welcoming Tourist Information Centre, a fascinating permanent local history exhibition, BBC radio room and has a small but comprehensive range of brass rubbing plates.
The Tourist Information Centre offers a warm welcome to visitors and provides a comprehensive selection of free literature allowing visitors to "discover" places to visit in and around Droitwich Spa and in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside. A range of souvenirs can be purchased along with numerous local history books.
The permanent exhibition shows the fascinating story of the town from pre-Roman times to modern day spa. Excavations in the town have revealed much about early Droitwich and its salt industry; many of these remains are in excellent condition. Reconstructed faces from Roman skulls reveal some incredible facts about their lifestyles and their appearance.
The salt industry is traced, using displays and many old photographs, through Roman, Saxon and Medieval periods and finally the Victorian era of the "Salt King", John Corbett is studied with audio-visual display which depicts the harsh reality of working in hot, steamy conditions in the salt works.
The Centre is also home to the Droitwich Calling exhibition which brings alive the history of radio using a "hands on" display. Find out how a radio station made Droitwich Spa famous; why Droitwich was chosen as the site for a high-powered transmitter and how it operated.
Address:
St. Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8DS
Telephone: +44 01905 774312
Fax: +44 01905 794226
Email: heritage@droitwichspa.gov.uk
HANBURY HALL
Completed in 1701, this homely William and Mary-style house of brick was the seat of the Vernon family for over 300 years. Now run by the National Trust.
Hanbury's interior boasts a collection of fine porcelain and Dutch flower paintings. It is famed for its superb painted ceilings and staircase by Sir James Thornhill, who was responsible for the painted Hall at Greenwich.
The stunning 20 acre garden, recreated in keeping with the period of the house, is surrounded by 395 acres of park, with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside.
Fascinating features within the garden include an orangery built about 1740, an ice house, 18th-century bowling green and working mushroom house.
School Road, Hanbury, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 7EA
Telephone: 01527 821214
For more information and opening times :- Hanbury Hall
Droitwich was known as "Salinae" by the Romans - this means the place of salt, salt was originally produced here by prehistoric salt makers.
The natural Droitwich brine contained 2 1/2 lbs of salt per gallon - ten time stronger than sea water and only rivaled by the Dead Sea. The historic Brine baths built in 1876 were known for their therapeutic and remedial benefits, you could float in the water weightless in the warm brine of the bathing pool.
Droitwich developed as a fashionable Spa through the efforts of the leading entrepreneur of the day - John Corbett, the member of parliament and Droitwich "Salt King", who built the truely magnificent Chateau Impney (now a hotel) with its castle turrets and splendid French gardens.
Droitwich High Street boasts many timber-framed buildings with an eclectic mix of traditional shops and local pubs. The heart of the town is Victoria Square leading to the St Andrew's Square shopping centre with several high street chain stores.
Collectively known as the Droitwich Canal, two canals met in the town centre. The Droitwich Barge Canal built by James Brindley in 1771 and the Droitwich Junction Canal built in 1854. The Junction canal linked Droitwich to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. More than 70 years after the canals were abandoned in 1939 a restoration program saw them re-opened in 2011.
The only whole canals to be fully restored in almost a decade, the Droitwich Canals are the final link in a brand new cruising circuit – the Mid-Worcestershire Ring. The ring allows boats, cyclists and ramblers to make a 21-mile circular journey through some of the UK's most beautiful and historic countryside, fom the Worcester & Birmingham Canal to the River Severn, through the city of Worcester and back again.
DROITWICH SPA HERITAGE CENTRE
The Droitwich Spa Heritage and Information Centre is housed on the former Brine Baths site, which was first established in the 1880's. The present black and white building, known as St. Richard's House, dates from the 1930's and consists of a very friendly and welcoming Tourist Information Centre, a fascinating permanent local history exhibition, BBC radio room and has a small but comprehensive range of brass rubbing plates.
The Tourist Information Centre offers a warm welcome to visitors and provides a comprehensive selection of free literature allowing visitors to "discover" places to visit in and around Droitwich Spa and in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside. A range of souvenirs can be purchased along with numerous local history books.
The permanent exhibition shows the fascinating story of the town from pre-Roman times to modern day spa. Excavations in the town have revealed much about early Droitwich and its salt industry; many of these remains are in excellent condition. Reconstructed faces from Roman skulls reveal some incredible facts about their lifestyles and their appearance.
The salt industry is traced, using displays and many old photographs, through Roman, Saxon and Medieval periods and finally the Victorian era of the "Salt King", John Corbett is studied with audio-visual display which depicts the harsh reality of working in hot, steamy conditions in the salt works.
The Centre is also home to the Droitwich Calling exhibition which brings alive the history of radio using a "hands on" display. Find out how a radio station made Droitwich Spa famous; why Droitwich was chosen as the site for a high-powered transmitter and how it operated.
Address:
St. Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8DS
Telephone: +44 01905 774312
Fax: +44 01905 794226
Email: heritage@droitwichspa.gov.uk
HANBURY HALL
Completed in 1701, this homely William and Mary-style house of brick was the seat of the Vernon family for over 300 years. Now run by the National Trust.
Hanbury's interior boasts a collection of fine porcelain and Dutch flower paintings. It is famed for its superb painted ceilings and staircase by Sir James Thornhill, who was responsible for the painted Hall at Greenwich.
The stunning 20 acre garden, recreated in keeping with the period of the house, is surrounded by 395 acres of park, with beautiful views over the surrounding countryside.
Fascinating features within the garden include an orangery built about 1740, an ice house, 18th-century bowling green and working mushroom house.
School Road, Hanbury, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire WR9 7EA
Telephone: 01527 821214
For more information and opening times :- Hanbury Hall
