Situated in the Worcestershire Plain in the Salwarpe River Valley 5 miles north of Worcester and some 23 miles South West of Birmingham sits Droitwich Spa. There is evidence of settlement here since the Iron age (200 AD) and the Romans had a strong presence here for over 400 years in a town called Salinae. It was the salt and brine that has made this location popular. The area around Droitwich sits on Triassic Marl and sandstone interlaced with beds of rock salt from which brine springs emerge, these springs are up to ten times more concentrated than seawater. The Anglo Saxons carried on the salt workings, and during the 7th and 8th Centuries the Mercian Kings and the Worcester Cathedral owned most of the salt rights. King Athelstan (924-939) designated Droitwich as a "Mint" for the production of coins; during the reign of Edward the Confessor (1042-1066) the mint was one of only six in the country to be allowed to produce special coins. By the tine of the Norman Invasion Droitwich was Englands foremost producer of Salt and is the most frequently mentioned place in the Domesday Book. Salt continued to be produced until the late 19th century and into the early 20th until the finally closing in 1922. It was during an outbreak of cholera in 1823 that the medicinal qualities of bathing in hot bring became apparent. A local man, a Mr Gabb, built the first Brine baths in 1836. John Corbett aquired the baths and built a second in 1888 called ST. Andrews Brine Baths. John Corbett was a leading personalitily during the 19th century; he built a Louis XIII style house for his wife Anna Eliza O`Meara who had been educated in France. This house still stands as the "Chateau Impney Hotel" sited to the north of the town and well worth a visit. The brine baths became famous for the treating of rhumatic and arthritic problems. The Royal Brine Bath closed in the 1930`s and the St. Andrews Bath in 1975. A new bath complex was open in 1985 attached to a private Hospital but which is also open to the public. The River Salwarpe had been used for the transportation of salt but with flooding in the winter and low water in the summer was not always reliable. In 1762 the great canal builder James Brindley met with the sale producers to plan a canal from Droitwich to the River Seven, this was compleated in 1771. The canal was in use until 1915; the salt workings ceased in 1922 and the canal was legally discontinued in 1939. In 1973 the Droitwich Canal Trust was formed with the aim of restoring the canal and hope to reopen in 2009. As befits a town with a long history Droitwich has a wealth of historic buildings. As mentioned the Chateau Impney Hotel is just one of a host of architectural gems all worthy of a viewing; St. Richards House with the frontage of the old Brine Baths; The Raven Hotel built during the reign of Elizabeth the First and the church of St. Nicholas - where Judge Jeffreys was said to have held one of his infamous Assizes in 1685, to name just a few. With a Market every Friday and a host of Resaurants, Pubs and Hotels Droitwich is a historic place well worth a visit.
Attraction
Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre
Hanbury Hall
Webbs of Wychbold, Garden Centre
Budget
Travelodge Droitwich *book online*
Charity
Dentist
Dental Surgery
Old Market Court Dental Surgery
Old Market Court Dental
OMCDS
Worcester Road Dental Practice
Doctor
Corbett Medical Practice
Salters Medical Practice
Spa Medical Practice
Estate Agent
Andrew Grant FRICS
Child Peter
Evans & Jennings
Lamberts Property Centres
Farmers Market
Golf Club
OmbersleyInn
Hadley Bowling Green Inn
The Crown in Wychbold
Market
Droitwich Car Boot
Droitwich Farmers Market
Pub and Bar
Barley Mow
Castle
Chequers
Old Cock Inn
Railway Inn
Red Lion
The Crown in Wychbold
Restaurant
Chequers
Galton Arms
Hadley Bowling Green Inn
Old Cock Inn
Railway Inn
Robin Hood
Rossini Restaurant
Spice Fusion
Venture In Restaurant
School
Whitford Hall and Dodderhill School
Solicitor
Taxi
Blue Door Taxis
Di-Marco Taxis & Private Hire
Independent Taxis
N Y Taxis
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Driotwich Spa (Men's Hockey)
Driotwich Spa (Women's Hockey)
Droitwich Spa Judo Club (Martial Arts)
Himbleton CC (Cricket)
Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club (Cycling)
Shops
Fleur
Boots
Andrew Armstrong
Webbs Garden Centre
Happy Pets
Cotswold Outdoor
John Hollingsworth
Blunts Shoes
Carphone Warehouse
Holland and Barratt
PJ's Kidzone
Specsavers
Tranquility Salon
The Secret Garden
Chequers Ladies & Gents Hair Salon
Activities
Droitwich Archery Society(Archery)
Preston Innovations Woodland View(Fishing)
Keybridge Livery(Riding)
Places to Stay near Droitwich
St Andrews House Hotel (0.36 miles)
Located in Droitwich Spa at the heart of Rural Worcestershire, the newly refurbished (September 2008) St Andrews House is a privately owned, thirty-two bedroom hotel and restaurant. Its location, nested ... More
Chateau Impney (1.09 miles)
Chateau Impney was built in the 19th Century as a gift from local salt tycoon John Corbett to his wife and to this day retains all of the grandeur and ... More
Travelodge Droitwich (1.43 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
Middleton Grange (1.49 miles)
Middleton Grange is ideally situated to discover Worcestershire's diverse attractions. Whether you're seeking the tranquillity of canal-side walks, bygone times aboard the Severn Valley Railway, the thrills and spills of the West Midland's Safari Park, or ... More | visit website
Hadley Bowling Green Inn (2.13 miles)
Holiday Inn Express Droitwich M5 Jct 5 (2.22 miles)
The Crown in Wychbold (2.54 miles)
The Crown in Wychbold occupies a convenient location just a minute from the M5 motorway and as a result, offers good links to Birmingham, Worcester and Droitwich. This traditional pub was rebuilt as a hotel ... More
Pear Tree Inn & Country Hotel (2.82 miles)
Traditional Inn and fine family owned Country Hotel set in 20 acres of
lawns, gardens and lakes. Bedrooms are spacious with air conditioning and
excellent facilities.
Our Restaurant serves an a la ... More
Crown & Sandys Arms (3.04 miles)
Situated in the most picturesque black and white village of Ombersley, only three minutes outside of Worcester. This former Coaching Inn has a fantastic history dating back to the 17th ... More
Oaklands B&B (3.42 miles)
Oaklands is a very attractive cottage style residence converted from stables to make a modern comfortable home with distinctive character. It is located in a quiet semi-rural area with lovely ... More
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