Hagley Hall

Hagley Hall and Park is a wonderful example of 18th century English Architecture. Boasting 350 acres of deer park with its own church, the hall houses Van Dyke paintings, fine Chippendale furniture and Rococco plasterwork. The property once belonged to George 1st Lord Lyttelton who was secretary to the Prince of Wales. The hall was completed in 1760.

In 1925 a terrible fire destroyed a large section of the property and much of its contents. However, the damage was repaired and the hall restored to its former glory. Today the hall is home to Lord and Lady Cobham who own the residence which is used as their family home. The hall also caters for conferences, business meetings and events throughout the year. No trip to the West Midlands is complete without a visit to this fine example of architecture and glorious parkland.

Further information about Hagley Hall can be obtained by visiting their website at:

www.hagleyhall.info

Apple Day

The theme of Mary Arden's house is devoted to the history of farming and agriculture in the region. The exhibits in the outbuildings include a stable and barn, a wheelwrights shop, tack room and stables. The country trades are well presented and examples show how the tools were used. The Blacksmith's trade and carpentry section depicts country life as it would have been up to the turn of the 20th Century.

We visited on 'Apple Day', dedicated to the numerous varieties of apple, when a host of country trades and traditional skills were presented with real live demonstrations and presentations.

For more photographs of Apple Day click here

Avoncroft Museum

The Avoncroft Museum can be found just 2 miles from Bromsgrove off the A38. It is signposted from Junctions 4 and 5 of the M5 motorway. The museum features historic buildings in an open air site situated in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside.

The museum was opened in 1967 to provide a location for the reconstruction of a 15th century timber-framed house in Bromsgrove. Since then the collection has grown magnificently into a diverse range of interesting buildings which have been relocated from their original sites.

The collection includes a working windmill, a 1940's prefab house, a church, barns and houses, telephone kiosks of all types including a real live Dr Who Tardis! In fact, this is also the home of the National UK Collection of telephone kiosks, including a complete working telephone exchange.

The museum does its best to depict what West Midlands working life must have been like through the ages. There are workshops from the chain making trade and nail industries. This truly is an insight into the social history of the region as much as it is for the architecture.

On event days there are often demonstrations and crafts people who portray the domestic, working and religious lives of our ancestors. The museum also features a children's playground, gift shop and tea room and a picnic site.

There are buildings from many different periods and the unique setting and diversity of the museum should be of interest to all age groups. Check with the Avoncroft Museum website for the latest news and events. http://www.avoncroft.org.uk/

For more photographs of Avoncroft Museum click here or view on You Tube

Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 4JR. Tel: 01527 831363

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.