Droitwich Spa
Droitwich Spa (often abbreviated to Droitwich /ˈdrɔɪt.wɪtʃ/) is an historic spa town in the Wychavon district in northern Worcestershire, England, on the River Salwarpe. It is located approximately 22 miles (35 km) south-west of Birmingham and 7 miles (11 km) north-east of Worcester.
| Droitwich Spa | |
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Droitwich Spa, St. Andrews | |
Droitwich Spa Location within Worcestershire | |
| Area | 8.366 km2 (3.230 sq mi) |
| Population | 25,027 (2021 Census) |
| • Density | 2,992/km2 (7,750/sq mi) |
| OS grid reference | SO895632 |
| • London | 125 miles (201 km) |
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| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | DROITWICH |
| Postcode district | WR9 |
| Dialling code | 01905 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
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The town was called Salinae in Roman times, then later called Wyche, derived from the Anglo-Saxon Hwicce kingdom, referred to as "Saltwich" according to Anglo-Saxon charters, with the Droit (meaning "right" in French) added when the town was given its charter on 1 August 1215 by King John. The "Spa" was added in the 19th century when John Corbett developed the town's spa facilities. The River Salwarpe running through Droitwich is likely derived from sal meaning "salt" and weorp which means "to throw up" - i.e. "the river which throws up salt" - which overflows from the salt brines.
The town is situated on massive deposits of salt, and salt has been extracted there since ancient times. The natural Droitwich brine contains 2+1⁄2 pounds per imperial gallon (0.25 kg/L) of salt; ten times stronger than sea water and rivaled only by the Dead Sea.