Pictures of Kidderminster

in the county of Worcestershire

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About Kidderminster

This town was once the carpet capital of England, with carpets from its mills transported to all parts of the world. It is no longer the carpet empire it once was, but as late as the end of the 20th century carpet made in Kidderminster was being laid throughout Hong Kong's Airport. Many of the old mills have gone, some have been converted for other usage, but fortunately those that are left continue to be busy.

The towns history stretches back into the mist of time. Certainly it was a busy centre in medieval times, but not much remains from then save for a couple of buildings, one being the parish church.

Today, Kidderminster is a busy commercial centre with suburbs. It is now best known for its Severn Valley Heritage Steam Railway, which transports visitors in restored carriages pulled by perfectly restored steam engines through the delightful Worcestershire countryside along a full-sized standard gauge line. The journey follows the course of the River Severn, thus travellers have the opportunity to experience scenic views only possible from the railway. One of the "highlights" of the trip is crossing the Victoria bridge, high above the meandering waters of the Severn. From beginning to end the journey is joyous, there are glimpses of wildlife, old country stations reflecting the tranquil charm of yester-year and refreshment cars are provided on most of the trains just as they were in the past.

In and around Kidderminster there are plenty of historic houses to see, some of these remain in private ownership but are converted to provide luxury hotel accommodation, these include the 300 year old Brockencote Hall situated in 70 beautifully landscaped acres, overlooking a lake, and the charming timber-framed Stone Manor. Apart from these the area has many gracious Victorian and Edwardian properties ranging from cottages to picturesque inns.

Harvington Hall is a magnificent moated medieval and Elizabethan manor house lying to the south-east of Kidderminster. This is a wonderful "picture postcard" building, a confection of gables, red brick chimney's and bays. It is all the more surprising inside, for within there are Elizabethan wall paintings and the finest series of priest-holes anywhere in the country. For sheer atmosphere alone - this is a place not to be missed!

Leisure facilities include cinema, theatre, fishing-the fishery at Shallerford is good for carp, barbell and cat-fish, and there are several golf clubs in the region, including one at nearby Ombersley. Pepper Wood is a great place for country walks, as is Waseley Hills Country Park and the Clent Hills.

The town's carpet heritage is illustrated from when it first began in 1735 in The Carpet Museum Trust at New Road. This excellent museum has preserved machinery, interactive displays, a picture gallery, weavers loft and holds regular events.

St.Mary's and All Saints Church is one of the two medieval buildings left in the town. It lies in a pleasant location with its tower looking towards the canal. It is especially known for its stained glass windows, one depicting a number of saints and for its peal of 12 bells. The churchyard is littered with graves and outside on the plaza in front of the church visitors can see impressive war memorials.

Kidderminster has excellent shopping facilities, apart from shops along its main and side streets there are two premier shopping centres - the Josiah Mason Mall and the Swan Centre. In both you can find food chain stores, major retail outlets and restaurants.

With much to see and do, Kidderminster makes the ideal base for anyone wishing to uncover the history and heritage of this part of the lovely heart of England. It is in close proximity to Birmingham, Britain's second city and to the wealth of interest awaiting you in the towns and villages noted for their part in the Industrial Revolution.

Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.

Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner

Recommended attractions near Kidderminster

West Midlands Safari Park	(1.7 miles, 2.7 km, direction SW)	Pictures
Hartlebury Castle	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction S)	Pictures
Kingsford Country Park	(3.1 miles, 5.0 km, direction N)	Pictures
Leapgate Country Park	(3.2 miles, 5.2 km, direction S)	Pictures
Harvington Hall	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Clent Hills Country Park	(6.7 miles, 10.8 km, direction E)	Pictures
Highgate Common Country Park	(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Waseley Hills Country Park	(9.2 miles, 14.7 km, direction E)	Pictures
Saltwells Local Nature Reserve	(9.2 miles, 14.8 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Himley Hall & Park	(9.9 miles, 15.9 km, direction N)	Pictures
Lickey Hills Country Park	(9.9 miles, 16.0 km, direction E)	Pictures
Hanbury Hall	(10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction SE)	Pictures
Baggeridge Country Park	(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction N)	Pictures
Dudley Castle	(11.4 miles, 18.4 km, direction NE)	Pictures
Dudley Zoo	(11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction NE)	Pictures

All attractions in Kidderminster
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Recommended towns near Kidderminster

Wolverley, in the county of Worcestershire (1.6 miles, 2.5 km, direction N)
Wolverley is a charming village at the heart of rural Worcestershire. It was mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, but it is believed a settlement was there long before that.
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Bewdley, a Historic Market Town in the county of Worcestershire (3.0 miles, 4.8 km, direction W)
The graceful arches of the bridge designed by Thomas Telford (1757-1854) are a dominant feature of this lovely old town which nestles on the banks of the River Severn.
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Cutnall Green, in the county of Worcestershire (5.9 miles, 9.4 km, direction SE)
The village of Cutnall Green lies amidst the rich agricultural landscape of Worcestershire, a short distance away from the old spa town of Droitwich.
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Stourbridge, in the county of West Midlands (6.4 miles, 10.2 km, direction NE)
Within the vast urban sprawl that surrounds Birmingham, otherwise known as the City of a Thousand Trades, lies the once great centre for crystal glassware, Stourbridge.
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Great Witley, in the county of Worcestershire (8.2 miles, 13.2 km, direction SW)
The great palladian mansion of Witley Court and the splendid Baroque Church that lies within its grounds have been central to the life of the rural village of Great Witley for centuries.
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Swindon, in the county of Staffordshire (8.8 miles, 14.2 km, direction N)
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Halesowen, in the county of West Midlands (9.4 miles, 15.2 km, direction NE)
For several centuries Halesowen was a farming region and despite the spread of urban sprawl the region still has nearby open beauty spots.
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Claverley, in the county of Shropshire (10.5 miles, 16.9 km, direction N)
Claverley is surrounded by agricultural land, a short distance from delightful Bridgenorth, a picturesque town on the banks of the River Severn.
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Dudley, in the county of West Midlands (11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NE)
Dudley is a market town, it was granted its market charter in the 13th century, since then the lively outdoor market has been a focal point which has drawn regular visitors to the town.
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Worcester, in the county of Worcestershire (13.5 miles, 21.8 km, direction S)
Worcester is a city dominated by its glorious Romanesque cathedral built between the 12th and 14th centuries.
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Wolverhampton, in the county of West Midlands (14.6 miles, 23.5 km, direction N)
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Edgbaston, in the county of West Midlands (15.0 miles, 24.1 km, direction E)
Edgbaston is a district of wide leafy roads lined with elegant houses, lately these have become interspersed with more modern buildings, yet the suburb has somehow managed to retain much of its 19th and early 20th century charm.
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Tenbury Wells, in the county of Worcestershire (15.7 miles, 25.3 km, direction W)
The journey from the centre of Worcester to exquisite Tenbury Wells takes you through some of the loveliest countryside in the whole of Worcestershire.
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Brockhampton, in the county of Herefordshire (16.1 miles, 25.9 km, direction SW)
The village of Brockhampton is best known for its fine Stone and Concrete church designed by W.R.Lethaby a follower of the Arts and Crafts movement, and was built at the turn of the 20th-century. One of the beauties of the church is its stunning thatched roof, one of only three in the country.
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Birmingham, a Historic City in the county of West Midlands (16.6 miles, 26.7 km, direction NE)
Birmingham, Britain's second city, known as the city of a thousand trades, has long been recognised as one of the World's most important manufacturing and commercial centres.
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All towns in Worcestershire
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Nearby travel help

Kidderminster Station	(0.5 miles, 0.7 km)
Blakedown Station	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction NE)
M5 Junction 4A	(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction E)
M5 Junction 4	(8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction E)
Birmingham International Airport	(22.1 miles, 35.6 km, direction E)
East Midlands Airport	(49.3 miles, 79.4 km, direction NE)
Kidderminster to London	(109.2 miles, 175.7 km, direction SE)

Hotels & Accommodation in Kidderminster

Hotel Name	Approximate distance from Kidderminster center
Gainsborough House Hotel	(0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Ramada Hotel And Resort Kidderminster	(1.9 miles, 3.1 km, direction W)
Stone Manor Hotel	(2.5 miles, 4.1 km, direction SE)
Granary Hotel And Restaurant	(2.7 miles, 4.3 km, direction SE)
George Hotel	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
The Mug House Inn	(2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction W)
The Stourport Manor-Menzies	(3.3 miles, 5.3 km, direction S)
Oakleigh Guest House	(3.6 miles, 5.9 km, direction S)
Brockencote Hall	(4.0 miles, 6.4 km, direction SE)
The Bromsgrove Hotel	(7.9 miles, 12.8 km, direction SE)
All hotels in Kidderminster