Redditch

Redditch town is steeped in history, from the site of the Royal Hunting Lodge of King John and the Abbey established by Cistercian monks in 1141. The Abbey attracted settlers and Monks occupied the Abbey for 4 centuries establishing a strong community. The Abbey was passed into the possession of Lord Windsor in 1541 by Henry VIII and the village moved from the valley to the wide flat area that became Redditch centre.

In 1639 needle making came to dominate the area and as the population grew the town saw a swift rise of needle making factories such as the Forge Mill built in 1730 that still stands today on the River Arrow as a Museum of Redditch history. In 1894 driven by industry, Redditch had become a parish town in its own right and a District Council was created to govern the town. The town was designated a District Council in 1974 when the population increased to 80,000.

Modern Redditch is wonderfully landscaped with parks and gardens and has one of the largest shopping centres in the UK. In 1980 Redditch Borough appointed the first Mayor and had an official visit from the Queen.

Redditch town has a range of entertainment and activities on offer including a swimming pool, golf course, museums, and sports centres. The town is surrounded by wooded areas and landscaped parks providing the scene for sailing, windsurfing, or canoeing.

Redditch provides an ideal base to visit the UK and has a growing tourist industry and modern conveniences and is supported by excellent restaurants, bars, a lively theatre programme and more than 40 pubs. Many venues offering premier live entertainment.

The pedestrianised centre of Redditch town offers a wide range of shops, cafes, and markets and is home to the popular and award winning Kingfisher Shopping Centre providing high street brands and other excellent stores.
Redditch is a town in Worcestershire set around Church Green. It is of close to the City of Birmingham and is well served by buses and trains.