Kidderminster Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History of Kidderminster

    Kidderminster is most famous for its manufacturing of carpets. This industry took off in the town in around 1735, and quality carpets are still made in Kidderminster today. It is likely the town originated in Saxon times, as the word minster is a Saxon name for a monastery or church. Evidence of medieval settlement in the area exists in parts of the parish church of St Mary's a...Read morend All Saints, and Caldwall Tower in Castle Road. Read less

  • 2. Now in Kidderminster

    Kidderminster sits on the River Stour and the Worcestershire Canal, and is the largest town in North Worcestershire. The town is in the Wyre Forest district, which also includes the towns of Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn and several surrounding villages like Arley, Rock, Chaddesley Corbett and Wolverley. Many visitors head to Kidderminster to take a ride on the famous Severn ...Read moreValley Railway, a full-size standard-gauge railway line running steam-hauled passenger trains between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth in Shropshire. The railway, built between 1858 and 1862, was brought back to life after the Severn Valley Railway Society was formed in Kidderminster in 1965. Read less

  • 3. Events in Kidderminster

    The Kidderminster Arts Festival runs for two weeks in August and includes arts workshops, performances, exhibitions, street entertainment and arts demonstrations. A variety of annual events take place at the Severn Valley Railway, in Kidderminster, including the Autumn Steam Gala, the Spring Steam Gala, the Diesel Enthusiasts Gala and the Classic Car and Bike Day. Kidderminster...Read more Carnival is a big event in the town every June. The event includes a colourful parade and a day of activities and performances by local groups and individuals. Read less

  • 4. Attractions in Kidderminster

    The Severn Valley Railway attracts thousands of visitors every year and appeals to all kinds of people, from children to railway enthusiasts. Visitors can take a train on the 16-mile route through beautiful countryside, from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth. The West Midland Safari Park is a popular attraction on the outskirts of the town and includes a four-mile safari area contain...Read moreing more than 600 exotic animals, big thrill rides, family rides, animal shows and talks, small animals and much more. Bodenham Arboretum is an area of outstanding landscape and its 156 acres contains mature woodland, specimen trees and shrubs and two acres of pools and lakes. There is a visitor centre at the site. The Kidderminster Railway Museum contains many railway artefacts housed in a warehouse built by the Great Western Railway in 1878. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do in Kidderminster

    Walkers, cyclists and boaters can access the canal and towpath in Kidderminster. This leads to the town of Stourport. The Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre includes a fun pool with waves and flumes as well as health and fitness facilities. The Wyre Forest Visitor and Discovery Centre, on the outskirts of the town, is a starting point for many walkers and cyclists. A Go Ape! tre...Read moree top adventure course is also available at the site. Read less

  • 6. Business in Kidderminster

    There are four shopping centres in Kidderminster - the Rowland Hill Centre, the Swan Centre, Crosley Retail Park and Weavers Wharf. The centres offer a wide selection of shops, restaurants and cafes. Shoppers can choose between high street names, department stores and smaller independent businesses. The popular outdoor market is open in the town on Thursdays and Saturdays.

  • 7. Transport in Kidderminster

    By road, the A456 runs through Kidderminster to Birmingham and links to the A49 to the west of the town. The M5 is just to the east of Kidderminster and gives good access to the M5, M1, M6 and M40. There are good bus services from Kidderminster to the other towns in the district and regular train services to Birmingham and London. The nearest airport to Kidderminster is Birming...Read moreham International, which is roughly 22 miles from the centre of town. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment in Kidderminster

    The Rose Theatre offers a packed programme of drama from both amateur and professional groups. Live music takes place regularly at The Boars Head, in the town centre. Open mic events are also held at this venue.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks in Kidderminster

    The listed building of Slingfield Mill, now home to a Debenhams store, was built in the 18th century and was an important site for carpet manufacturing. It was recently refurbished as part of a multi-million pound project.

  • 10. Interesting Facts about Kidderminster

    Sir Rowland Hill, who came up with the idea of pre-paid postage with his adhesive Penny Black stamp in 1840, was born in Kidderminster. Before he invented the stamp, recipients of post had to pay the postman on delivery. The Penny Black is now a collector's item.

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  • Waste crew make a top team

    Garden waste collectors Carl Bilboe and Dave Hemming are celebrating after being named one of the top teams in the country. The two men, who make up Wyre Forest District Council’s Waste Collection Crew, made it through to the finals of the Let’s Recycle Awards in the Crew of the Year category, which were held on May 1. The pair have also been shortlisted in the Team of the Year category at the National Recycling Awards, to be held in …

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  • Pupils buy one school meal and give one free

    Local children have paid for 3,000 school meals for youngsters in the developing world after taking part in a campaign. Pupils at three schools took part in the Really Good School Dinner campaign, which invited them to donate an extra 10p when they bought their school lunch. Each donation of 10p is enough to provide a school meal in a developing country. Schools taking part were Haybridge High School, Stourport High and Baxter College. The national ‘buy one, give one …

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  • Penguin feeding is a hit

    Lucky children were given a chance to feed the penguins for the first time during the Easter holidays at the West Midland Safari Park. Children were allowed to take part in the feeding sessions twice a day at the new Penguin Cove exhibit at the park. Ten pots of fish were available on a first come, first served basis at the feeding sessions. Visitors not taking part were still able to watch the fun and learn a bit more about …

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  • Old building will be new academy

    Work has started on a new education academy for Kidderminster. The Academy at Kidderminster is being built in the Piano Building at Weavers Wharf and is due to open in September. The restoration of one of the town’s landmarks began in April as a joint project  between Birmingham Metropolitan College and Kidderminster College. The five-storey building, which is around 145 years old, is being transformed by Thomas Vale Construction, of Stourport. Thomas Vale group managing director Tony Hyde said: “As …

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