Droitwich - Worcestershire

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.

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.

The natural Droitwich brine contains 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 are known for their therapeutic and remedial benefits, you can float in the water weightless in the warm brine of the bathing pool.

Droitwich High Street boasts many timber-framed buildings. The heart of the town is Victoria Square. The magnificent Worcestershire Brine Baths Hotel and the attractive Raven Hotel can be found here as can St Richard's House, once the entrance to the old St Andrew's Brine Baths.

The original Brine baths no longer exist, but today's visitor can experience the benefits of great natural resource in the new Brine Bath located off Victoria Square - opened in 1985, and the first new Spa facility built in Britain this century.

Now Droitwich Spa boasts a thriving shopping centre, and an excellent variety of sporting facilities. The Lido swimming pool is open in the Summer months which has natural Droitwich brine still used in it, to give users the taste oft he seaside in the heart of rural Worcestershire.