Bodenham Arboretum

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.

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.

Kinver Edge

Kinver Edge is a sandstone ridge with views across the counties. It is also famous for the Holy Austin Rock Houses which were used as recently as the 1950's. 

To view the photographs of Kinver Edge click here or view on You Tube

Kinver Edge, Wardens Lodge, Kinver, Nr. Stourbridge, DY7 6HU. Tel:01384 872418

Hatton Country World

Hatton Country World combines the best of select shopping and leisure. The shopping facilities at Hatton Country World contain shops that have, and maintain, unique crafts and craft work using traditional methods. There are also 20 antique shops, adequate restaurant facilities and a butchers shop where you can buy fresh game meat and poultry depending on the season. The Country Village has free parking and the small shops are a treat to walk round.

The Farm Park does have an entrance charge but there is plenty to do and see for the children. With many farm animals the park has a host of smaller attractions and games to help keep the kids amused. This is a great place for a family day out. Smaller children will love feeding the animals which range from guinea pigs, falcons and rabbits through to horses, pigs and goats of many varieties.

Other facilities on site include a soft play centre and a public house.

Further information about Hatton Country World can be obtained by visiting their website at www.hattonworld.com

Hawkstone Park

Hawkstone Park is a wonderful place to visit for a good traditional family day out. It holds several themed events throughout the year but Hawkstone Park Follies is more than just a park. This year it was placed 14th in the Sunday Times ‘Britain’s Best 50 Days Out feature. Surprisingly, quite a few people from the West Midlands are unaware of its very existence.

When Samuel Johson wrote about the Follies of Hawkstone Park in 1774 he described it as a park with ‘Striking scenes and terrific grandeur. The same is true today and little will have changed in this fantasy land of natural cliffs, caves and woodland.

The Follies had fallen into years of neglect but were restored and opened again in 1993. English Heritage named it as Family Attraction of the Year in 2004. A walk around the park features places with names such as Grotto Hill, a network of old mines cut deep into the cliff face. Swiss Bridge perched high over a deep gorge, and the Monument, a large 100 foot high column on top of the hill with views across spectacular countryside.

Twisting and windy paths along the cliff face take the walker to various tunnels and structures that will keep the kids amused for hours. Children and adults alike will find this park magical and full of adventure. Let them run around and enjoy themselves. Some of the routes are fairly steep and pushchairs, the elderly, or very young children may struggle negotiating the route. The guide recommends allowing three hours but you could easily make a day of this if you took a picnic lunch and explored everything in a leisurely manner.

There are picnic tables available and refreshments on route with a dedicated cafeteria near the entrance at the Greenhouse Tearoom and Visitor Centre.

Nearby places might include Haughmond Hill Abbey and Attingham Park. Reviews on both of these places can be found on the website ( use the search box ) Hawkstone Park Follies also has a Gold Course and a Hotel.

The landscaped grounds of Hawkstone Park were originally established by Richard Hill of Hawkstone in 1655 and then developed by subsequent members of the Hill family. Sir Rowland Hill of Hawkstone ( 1705-1783 ) was mainly responsible for the works on the estate. Hawkstone Park is now being restored and is protected as a Grade I historic park.

Hawkstone Park, Weston-Under-Redcastle, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. SY4 5UY. 

Tel: 01948 841700

For more photographs of Hawkstone Park click here or view on You Tube