Droitwich

Droitwich Spa in northern Worcestershire is famed for its brine baths which were first opened in 1830 and is historically one of the most important brine and salt towns in England. The benefits of bathing in heated mineral water have been recognised since Roman times and the Droitwich brine is so salty that only the waters of the Dead Sea can equal its strength and density! The original brine baths have long since closed but a new bathing complex, part of the Droitwich Spa private hospital, is now open to the public for relaxation and hydrotherapy.

Today the town has a population of 25,000 people and it continues to grow rapidly. There is great evidence of the town’s historic past; old waterways used for the transportation of salt together with spa water pumping stations can be seen within the town. A unique blend of old and new, where medieval buildings can be discovered within the modernised setting of the High Street. Droitwich has much to offer and with its many attractions and beautiful surrounding Worcestershire countryside and outlying villages it is well worth a visit.

Attractions

Droitwich Spa Lido Park has an outdoor saltwater lido (currently closed for redevelopment) and in the park there is tennis, putting, bowling, an adventure playground and a skate park. On Sundays in the summer months the sound of music from brass band concerts can be heard and this green and pleasant area is the perfect setting for visitors, young and old alike, to relax, play and have fun. Plans are currently underway to re-open the lido in the near future due to public demand.

The District Council runs the [http://www.wychavonleisure.co.uk/ Droitwich Spa Sports and Leisure Centre] at Briar Mill, conveniently located just off the Droitwich bypass and just west of the historic town centre, The centre caters for indoor and outdoor sports including all weather and grass sports pitches. In addition it has a state of the art fitness gym, dance studio, health suite with sauna and steam rooms and the Rivers Café offering freshly prepared and healthy snacks. The centre’s 25 metre indoor swimming pool is enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and the additional services offered by a beauty room and unisex hairdressers add to the attraction of this popular centre.

There are two canals serving the town of Droitwich, the Droitwich Barge Canal and the Droitwich Junction Canal. The Barge Canal is one of the oldest canals in the country having been designed by the eminent canal engineer James Brindley. [http://www.britishwaterways.co.uk/droitwich/ The Droitwich Canals Restoration Partnership] is in the process of working towards restoring Droitwich Spa’s canals. The fully restored canals are expected to be opened in 2008; their wildlife and historic structures will be intact, providing fantastic opportunities for local people and visitors to the area to enjoy the canals, whether on foot, bike or boat and become involved in the project. Meanwhile, visitors are able to experience a restored section of canal from the water, cruising the 3 miles from Vines Park, through the attractive area of Salwarpe to Ladywood where the locks start to descend to the River Severn.

A visit to Droitwich would not be complete without a trip to one of the delightful nearby National Trust properties. [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-hanburyhall/ Hanbury Hall] is a country house in the nearby village of Hanbury built in the William and Mary style by William Rudhall in 1701. The hall houses a fine collection of baroque murals and some fine examples of period furniture, fine porcelain and Dutch flower paintings.

The Heritage Centre in Victoria Square houses a small, but very interesting museum where items from Roman times, the history of salt and more recently the town’s connection with radio broadcasting can all be found.

A short distance from Droitwich can be found the [http://www.jinneyringcraft.co.uk/ Jinney Ring Craft Centre]. One of the most popular craft villages in the West Midlands, where visitors can enjoy watching skilled craftsmen and women hard at work, browse the gallery for that perfect gift or sample the culinary delights of the restaurant whilst enjoying the breath-taking views across the gardens towards the Malvern Hills.

Shopping

Droitwich has a central shopping precinct with a good selection of well known stores such as Boots the Chemist, W.H.Smith, Peacocks, Carphone Warehouse and Argos. In 2005 Waitrose opened a new supermarket in the grounds of the old covered market. The heavily-subsided High Street houses a variety of shops, both traditional and modern and a good range of banks are represented in the town.

Nightlife and Eating Out

There are currently no late night clubs in Droitwich, with many people choosing to go to nearby Worcester or Birmingham for a night out. [http://www.norburytheatre.co.uk/ The Norbury Theatre] hosts regular shows throughout the year and has also started screening films.

Droitwich offers a good selection of restaurants which include Chinese, Indian and Italian together with plenty of traditional pub fare.The town boasts a good variety of take-aways from traditional fish and chips to pizza and foreign cuisine. The popular [http://www.saltrockcafe.co.uk/ Salt Rock Café] is a modern, family-run establishment offering good choice for those on a budget together with freshly made coffees and teas.

Your visit would not be complete without a visit to the famous [http://www.chateau-impney.com/ Chateau Impney Hotel] on the outskirts of the town. Built in the style of a traditional Louis XIII French chateau this superb hotel and restaurant offers a unique dining experience while the [http://www.raven-hotel.co.uk/ Raven Hotel] is a wattle and daub hotel that holds a central position within the town. The restaurant offers a traditional, warm and friendly service with an extensive menu to suit all tastes and appetites.

Tourist Information

• Droitwich Spa Tourist Information Centre, St Richard's House, Victoria Square, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, England, WR9 8DS
• Telephone: 01905 774312
• Fax: 01905 794226
• Email: heritage@droitwichspa.gov.uk

Airport

The nearest airport to Droitwich is the Birmingham International Airport 30 miles (48 km) away. The railway station, formerly on the Great Western Railway, is just outside the town centre with trains to Birmingham, Worcester, Kidderminster and Stourbridge.