Searching for somewhere to visit that’s not too far from home? If history piques your interest, you love walks or you want to take the kids somewhere fun, look no further than Droitwich Spa! In this blog we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 things to see and do in the town.
Droitwich Spa owes its existence to natural brine springs which originate from beds of salt rock 200ft beneath the ground. Its history with salt is evident throughout the high street and Lido Park with sculptures of salt workers, The Salt Museum and Tower Hill Brine Pump.
If you fancy learning about its history, we suggest starting your tour at the Salt Museum which is situated inside the town’s Tourist Information Centre. It explores the harsh reality of working in the salt industry with displays and old photographs, through Roman, Saxon, Medieval periods and the Victorian era of the “Salt King”, John Corbett.
The best way to explore the town’s history and incorporate all of these landmarks is to walk the heritage trail.
FACT: Later this year, Droitwich Town Council is launching a new AR-based heritage trail app so visitors can immerse themselves in the area’s history. Watch this space!
Celebrate Salt Fest: Between Friday 3 and Sunday 5 September, Droitwich Spa will celebrate its connection to salt at its quirky, annual Salt Fest. The Romans came to the town specifically for its salt and if you come along, you can expect to see re-enactors and live history and heritage displays depicting this significant moment in Droitwich Spa’s history. You can also expect a variety of local food and drink, entertainment and a duck race on the River Salwarpe.
More information will be release on Salt Fest’s Facebook page soon.
Located just a 15 minute walk away from St Andrews Square Shopping Centre is one of Droitwich Spa’s must-sees and hidden gems – the Church of the Sacred Heart and St Catherine of Alexandria. The church’s walls are lined with impressive mosaics and one panel pictures the Bishop of Chichester journeying to Droitwich to bless revive its salt springs.
Churchfields is a family-run farm situated in the village of Salwarpe on the edge of Droitwich Spa. Famous for its award-winning, luxuriously creamy ice cream, which is made from its very own cows’ milk, the business boasts over 30 flavours. These range from honeycomb and classic mint choc chip to yummy Jaffa Cake and Ground Coffee.
Churchfields is also renowned for Droitwich Salt – the only brine spring salt made in the UK – and this is often incorporated into its ice cream flavours like Salted Vanilla and Salted Caramel.
As you can tell, this isn’t your average farm! Churchfields also offers tours and regularly puts on a range of activities for children. We suggest checking out its Fairy Trail.
Set in the lovely Lido Park is Droitwich Spa Lido – one of the UK’s few remaining open-air saltwater swimming pools and Worcestershire’s finest. While the kids are keeping themselves entertained by the water cannons and fountains in the wet play area, you can kick back and relax with a spot of sunbathing! The lido is must for people vising Droitwich Spa in the summer as it’ll make for a memorable day out that won’t break the bank.
Book your place in the pool.
You’ll need popcorn for this one! Following the success of our open-air cinema screening last year, we are delighted to confirm they will be back again this year. Last year, visitors brought deck chairs to Droitwich Leisure Centre to watch The Lion King. This year, we’ll be giving you the chance to have your say on what film is shown, so keep an eye on our Facebook page.
Why not make an evening of it and go for a meal in the town before the film starts? Droitwich Spa has plenty of eateries to choose from including Thai at Bullocks, Italian restaurant, All’Angelo, and Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant, Vasaanti – to name just a few.
Get a taste for what a meal at aspiring-Michelin-star All’Angelo is like by reading our blog.
The open-air cinema will come to Droitwich on Saturday 29 August. To learn the dates and locations of our other open-air cinemas, keep an eye on our website’s homepage.
The Droitwich Canal is a haven for walkers and cyclists with its level footing, beautiful scenery, and proximity to the high street where local food and drink can be enjoyed. The canal stretches for 7.4 miles and a number of waterside pubs – The Gardeners Arms and Railway Inn – line its verges. To truly enjoy the river though, we would suggest booking a trip on Pamela May, the town’s community canal boat. Find out more and book your place.
On the first Saturday of every month you can treat yourself to some local goodies at Droitwich Spa’s much-loved Farmers’ Market. The market, which takes place in Victoria Square, serves up lots of delicious, local produce ranging from homemade bread and cakes, to a selection of meat and preserves.
You could make a picnic out of it and enjoy your goodies in Lido Park. The park is great for a relaxing stroll but also caters to kids looking to burn off some energy with its play area, tennis courts and basketball nets.
FACT: Did you know Lido Park has won Green Flag status 10 years in a row? This means it’s one of the best!
Despite covering 16 hectares, Droitwich Community Woods is another of the town’s hidden gems. A nature trail leads you through the woodland where you can see dragonflies and purple hairstreak butterflies flying in the canopy of the trees. Part of the trail follows the canal and there’s even rare inland saltmarsh which was created by the salt-bearing rocks that sit underneath the reserve over 200 million years ago.
FACT: This rock beneath this woodland was instrumental in the salt extraction that occurred during the Roman period.
Looking to take your children on a fun day out? Try Aztec Adventure! If you want to learn how to kayak or test your balancing skills on a stand-up paddle board, Aztec (Upton Warren) is the ideal place to enjoy watersports, and it’s only a ten-minute drive away from the town centre. If you’re after something the whole family can get involved in, book a place on Aqua Park, Aztec’s inflatable obstacle course.
Droitwich’s high street boasts a number of traditional pubs including The Talbot, Star and Garter, Old Cock Inn and The Hop Pole Inn. All these establishments serve a range of ales and are within a few minutes’ walk of each other making Droitwich Spa an ideal place for a pub crawl.
These pubs are located in and next to beautiful, old buildings; The Old Cock Inn is based in an 18th century tavern, and The Talbot’s courtyard looks out onto the stunning, renovated timber-frame building that hosts Staryard Interiors.
For information on how to get to Droitwich Spa, visit our How To Find Us page.
Let us know what your top things to see and do in Droitwich Spa are by using #IndieRetailMonth and tagging us in your Facebook posts.
