Places Stories

The brine baths in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, date back to the late 19th century – they were built to cater for the Victorian craze for water cures.

The first baths opened in the 1830s, taking advantage of the natural brine springs that have been used in the town since Roman times.

With the backing of the local salt 'magnate', John Corbett, the town became the only salt-water spa-town in Britain.

The current brine baths, which are owned by BMI Healthcare, closed abruptly in December 2008 for health and safety reasons.

KEY DATES

2nd century AD: the Roman begin to exploit the natural brine springs.

1836: The Royal Brine Baths open in Droitwich Spa.

1870: The salt magnate John Corbett buys the brine baths, and the nearby Royal George Hotel, to make a spa complex for the town.

1887 John Corbett open a second brine baths, the St Andrew's Brine Baths, its entrance being St Richards House. This building is now the Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre.

1930: Royal Brine Baths close.

1939: Rupert de la Bere, the local Conservative MP, raises the future of the brine baths in Parliament, claiming they are of "national importance" and asking that the press and the BBC be used to "ensure that full use is made of them".

1975: Saint Andrew's Baths close.

1985: BMI Healthcare sign a long-term lease with Wychavon District Council for the land on which the brine baths are built. The lease includes a clause that if they "did not provide a brine facility on the site for 25 years then penalties could be imposed".

2008: Brine baths close.

2009; BMI Healthcare agree to pay £200,000 to Wychavon District Council, which they plan to use to provide "a brine experience in the town".