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.
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
truly 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 of the seaside in the heart of
rural Worcestershire.
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