According to local legend, the health-giving properties of Malvern water were known in medieval times, and there is a distinctive record of notable names extolling its virtues. The occulist Richard Banister wrote about the Eye Well (close to Holy Well) in a short poem in 1622. Further praise came from the botanist Benjamin Stillingfleet, the […]
In the seventeenth century White Wells Bath House was constructed close to a hillside spring. The water there gained a reputation for purity and softness. Early bathing processes involved ten minutes immersion into a plunge-bath (4 degrees Celsius) and a brisk rubdown by the health attendant. Like many spa towns, Ilkley became a fashionable place […]
Matlock Bath’s warm springs were discovered in 1698. The waters were applied for medicinal purposes at first, and the first bath house was built in the same year – to attract visitors. However, access to the village was difficult and it wasn’t until a bridge was built (over the Derwent in Matlock), and the opening […]
Droitwich Spa was referred to as ‘Saltwich’, according to Anglo-Saxon charters. It was changed to ‘Droitwich’ (‘droit’ means ‘right’ in French) in 1215, when the town was given its charter. ‘Spa’ was added in the 19th century, when the town’s spa facilities underwent development. Droitwich Spa is located on huge deposits of salt, and salt has been […]
Bakewell is named after Badeca’s well – an Anglo-Saxon chieftain (Badecanwylia) and the town’s springs. A chalybeate spring was discovered, and a bath house was built by the Duke of Rutland in 1697. The original 16x33ft bath is still in the cellar! In the 18thcentury there was a bid to develop Bakewell as a spa […]
The wells of Llandrindod had been resorted to as early as 1696. Rock Water (the chalybeate spring) was rediscovered by a Mrs Jenkins in 1732, tenant of the lower Bach-y Graig Farm. She began selling the waters to travellers, and news of their ‘healing qualities’ spread. In 1749, William Grosvenor converted a deserted farmhouse into […]
The Chalybeate Spring gives Tunbridge Wells its name. Dudley Lord North, who noticed the reddish-brown waters foaming from the ground, discovered it was drinkable in 1606. North was returning to London after a stay at the Abergavenny Estate, and hoped to quench his hangover-thirst with the Spring water. North declared it to be health-giving, and […]
This market town of Battle is on the site of the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066 between William Duke of Normandy and the Saxon King Harold. The Battle of Hastings was so significant it completely changed the course of English history. Later, King William, The Conqueror, built Battle Abbey as penance for the slaughter in […]
At the heart of Sussex lies the beautiful county town of Lewes. The town holds a annual bonfire and is also home to Anne of Cleves house. Set in the surroundings of the white chalk cliffs the town has beautiful views from the top of Lewes Castle. Visitors can explore the medieval cobbled streets lined […]
Matlock Bath’s warm springs were discovered in 1698. The waters were applied for medicinal purposes at first, and the first bath house was built in the same year – to attract visitors. However, access to the village was difficult and it wasn’t until a bridge was built (over the Derwent in Matlock), and the opening […]
