Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre

About the museum

Droitwich Spa Heritage Centre is based in St Richard's House on Victoria Square in the centre of Droitwich Spa. It combines a small museum with a tourist information service and a gift shop, and entry is free.

The main exhibition, The Salt Story, explains how natural brine springs under the town made Droitwich one of the most important salt-producing places in Britain. Interactive displays, archaeological finds and multimedia exhibits follow the story from prehistoric and Roman times through the Saxon and medieval periods to the Victorian age, when the town became a well-known spa. Finds on show include Roman pottery and coins and part of a wooden barrel once used to store brine. A display on brine bathing memories uses audio and water-effect lighting.

A second exhibition, Droitwich Calling, looks at the Droitwich Transmitting Station, which the BBC built in the 1930s and which began broadcasting national radio programmes on long wave in 1934. It explains why the site was chosen and how the name Droitwich came to appear on radio dials across the country. The centre also looks after research collections on the salt industry, the brine baths, local social history and the transmitting station.

Highlights

• The Salt Story with Roman finds and interactive displays
• Droitwich Calling about the BBC long wave transmitter
• Brine bathing memories exhibit with audio and water-effect lighting
• Free entry and tourist information desk
• Gift shop with Droitwich salt products

Permanent exhibitions

• The Salt Story – Interactive displays and archaeological finds tell how brine springs made Droitwich a salt-producing centre and later a spa town.
• Droitwich Calling – Photographs, objects and stories about the BBC long wave transmitting station built in the 1930s.

Founded

1980

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry is free, including the Salt Story, Droitwich Calling, the gift shop and the tourist information centre. Donations are welcome.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is level access through a double automatic door and the whole centre is on one level on the ground floor. Gallery text panels are designed to be easy to read, and audio is played on demand at push buttons and screens. Assistance dogs are welcome. The nearest Changing Places toilets are at St Andrews Square (WR9 8HE) and Lido Park (WR9 8AA).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

Families are welcome. The exhibitions have interactive elements, and children’s colouring sheets and activities are available. The museum is buggy friendly, with space in the foyer to leave a buggy. The baby changing facilities are in the accessible toilet, and the centre is breastfeeding friendly.

Getting there & parking

Droitwich Spa is on the A38, about 20 minutes south of Birmingham and 15 minutes north of Worcester. The what3words location is drums.metals.strong.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

There is no café on site; staff can recommend places to eat and drink in the town. The gift shop sells local gifts and souvenirs, including Droitwich salt products, local honey and pocket-money toys.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit