Located 17 miles northwest of Worcester and 15 miles south of Birmingham Redditch has grown from very lowly beginnings to become one of the largest towns in Worcestershire. The site of present day Redditch was once an oak forest called Feckham - King John had a hunting lodge near by. In the valley of the River Arrow, which ran through the area, were the Hamlets of Osmerley and Bordesley. In 1141 a charter was granted to the Cistercians, possibly by the Empress Matilda, to build an Abbey which the Monks named St.Marys of Bordesley, the monks removed both settlements in order to divert the river to feed the fishponds and run the mill. The name Osmerley disappeared. By 1349 the settlement that had grown up around the Abbey had acquired the name "La Rededitch", possibly derived from "Red-Dych" referring to the red clay found on the banks of the Arrow. As with so many ecclesiastical establishments, Bordesley Abbey was dissolved in 1538 by Henry VIII, the property passed to by Lord Windsor (who had no option, as Henry had taken a liking to Windsor`s Stanwell House). The only part of the Abbey to to survive was St.Stephens Chapel which remained in use until 1805; after the dissolution the community moved away from the valley floor to higher, flat piece of ground to set up a new village, roughly where the centre of Redditch now stands. Things ticked over slowly with various cottage industries and the woodland providing a means of living, but needle-making began to emerge as dominating industry, the earliest reference to it is in 1639, and many factories were to be found along the banks of the River Arrow. The Forge Mill of 1730 is now the only remaining water-driven needle scouring mill in the world, now a Museum of Needle Making it also gives a fascinating insight into the life and History of Redditch. In 1855 Redditch became a Parish and the chapel was replaced by St.Stephens Church. Other small metal items, Fishing Hooks, Fishing Tackle and Springs, were soon being produced and latterly Motorbikes in the shape of Royal Enfield were made in Redditch. In 1894 Redditch Urban District Council was created and by the early 1060`s the population had reached 32000. In 1964 the town was designated as a "New Town", in order to accommodate the influx of people from Birmingham several housing and industrial developments were built Church Hill, Lodge Park, Matchborough, Wingates and Woodrow among them; the town centre was largely demolished and replaced by the Kingfisher Shopping Centre. The population rocketed to 78000 in just a few short years. The old industries have been replaced by modern light industries and large businesses such as Halfords the retailer and the engineering firm GKN have their headquarters in Redditch. In 1980 Queen Elizabeth II a Royal Charter granted the status of Borough Council. In subsequent years Redditch has seen massive growth and continued development such as the 900 acre Arrow Valley Park where two million trees have been planted, refurbishment of the Kingfisher Centre into on of the largest shopping centres in the West Midlands. The community now benefit from one of the greenest and most thoughtfully landscaped towns in the country.
Attraction
Forge Mill Needle Museum and Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre
White Cottage Garden and Cranesbill Nursery
Budget
Campanile Hotel & Restaurant *book online*
Premier Inn Redditch *book online*
Travelodge Redditch *book online*
Classes
Dance - Starlight School of Dancing
Club
Council
Dentist
C V Elliott & Associates
J Campbell & Associates
The Dental Surgery
Doctor
Crabbs Cross Surgery
Hillview Medical Centre
Millstream Surgery
The Medical Centre
Winyates Health Centre
Woodrow Medical Centre
Estate Agent
Andrew Grant FRICS
Dixons The Estate Agents
Hemmings
Lamberts Property Centres
Nigel Poole & McGinn
Shipways
Golf Club
Pitcheroak
Redditch Golf Club
The Abbey Golf Club
Inn
Market
Arrow Car Boot
Kingfisher Market
Redditch Market
Redditch United FC Market
Studley Car Boot
Performing Arts
Bel Canto Singers
Palace Theatre
The Redditch Orchestra
Topazz Dance Redditch
Pub and Bar
Archers
Book & Candle
Coach House
Dog & Pheasant
Eagle Public House
Golden Cross
Kings Arms
Litten Tree
Queens Head
Seven Stars
The Boot Inn
Winyates Public House
Woodland Cottage
Restaurant
Coach House
Golden Cross
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Redditch
Parks
Red Chamber
Shahi Palace
Solicitor
Taxi
Charlies CarsHyde Cars
Jake's Private Hire
Michael Cotton Taxis
Star Taxis
Theatre
Vet
Sports Clubs
Black Country Bears Basketball Club (Basketball)
Forge Judo Club (Arrowvale) (Martial Arts)
Redditch Basketball Club (Basketball)
Redditch CC (Cricket)
Redditch Hockey Club (Men's Hockey)
Redditch Hockey Club (Women's Hockey)
Redditch Premiers BMX Club (Cycling)
Shops
Debenhams
Flower Lady
Boots
Early Learning Centre
Botany Bay Nurseries
Grimm Bros
Evans
Waterstones
J D Sports
Staples
Wickes
Holland and Barratt
H Samuel
Balti Raj Takeaway
Bounce About
Specsavers
Parks Takeaway
Pets At Home
BHS
Hillfields Camping and Leisure
The Entertainer
Antiques
Activities
Ministry of Paintball(Adventure)
Places to Stay near Redditch
Holiday Inn Express Birmingham, Redditch (0.15 miles)
Welcome to the award winning Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Redditch near the M42 Jct2 / Jct3 and within easy reach of Birmingham’s NEC, NIA, ICC and the surrounding area.
The hotel’s close proximity to the M42/M40/M5/M6 ... More | visit website
Montville Hotel (0.50 miles)
montville hotel is situated to the south of redditch town centre and only 20 minutes drive from Birmingham airport,the NEC and stratford-upon-avon,with free on-site parking and cctv. All bedrooms are ... More
Southcrest Hotel (0.78 miles)
In 7 acres of woodland and gardens, close to Redditch town centre, this former manor house is easily accessible from junction 2 of the M42 motorway. The Southcrest offers good-value accommodation within ... More
The White Hart Inn (1.08 miles)
Travelodge Redditch (1.18 miles)
There are loads of reasons our customers choose to stay at Travelodge. Our great value clean and comfortable rooms with en-suite provide everything needed for a good night's sleep and are close to where people ... More | visit website
Abbey Hotel, Golf & Country Club (1.38 miles)
The Abbey Hotel Golf & Country Club is situated in a 175 acre estate, of land that belonged to the now ruined abbey.
With superb modern architecture the Abbey Hotel is ... More
Premier Inn Redditch (1.53 miles)
Campanile Hotel & Restaurant (2.51 miles)
A modern comfortable hotel, part of the international chain Campanile, offering traditional french hospitality The hotel is well equipped for holiday makers and offers areas for trips of a business nature. The hotel ... More
Vine Cottage (3.33 miles)
Corner Cottage Bed and Breakfast (3.35 miles)
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