Nantwich Salt
The Cheshire-Shropshire salt field was formed about 200 million years ago from a shallow sea which covered the area. You can find more information about the Roman Brine industry at Kingsley Fields, Nantwich, here.
In Nantwich Museum, you can see a lead pan used by the Romans to evaporate brine and learn the story of the hollowed-out tree trunk, a ‘salt ship’ which was used in medieval times to store the brine.
A booklet, ‘The Story of Nantwich Brine’, is available from our shop.
The Brine Baths Hotel
Shrewbridge Hall was built by Michael Bott, who was the then owner of Nantwich Mill, for his second wife. It was later occupied by the Hornby family who were rich mill owners from Blackburn. A N Hornby, the world-famous cricketer, would have learned to play cricket on the grounds here.
The Nantwich Brine and Medicinal Baths Company bought the mansion in 1883 and expanded it, and then opened it as the Brine Baths Hotel in 1893. Astonishing claims were made by people who had been treated at the hotel. For example:
TO THE BRINE BATHS COMPANY, NANTWICH.
Gentlemen,—I have pleasure in testifying to the great benefit I have received by having ten of your warm brine baths, having suffered a good deal with rheumatism, indigestion, etc. I can also testify to three of my workpeople, who have for some months lost a great deal of time, not being able to walk to work, but having had four baths a week, four or five weeks running, are now quite well and able to walk several miles every day, and follow their employment regularly.—I am, gentlemen, yours faithfully,
JOHN CLARK.
Baddington, Nantwich, September 14th, 1883.
p.s.—I may add that I have had several proofs of the efficacy of warm brine being applied to sprains, stiff necks, etc., and have sent it to different parts of the country with good results.—J.C.
It was a hotel for over 40 years and attracted guest from all over the world. Some chose to live there permanently.
Towards the end of its days, during the Second World War, the hotel became an army base and then accommodation for W.A.A.F. personnel. It closed as a hotel in 1947 and became a convalescent home for miners a year later. It closed after four years and was put up for sale. When no buyer could be found, it was demolished in 1959.
There is more information about the Brine Baths Hotel here and here.
A book by Derek Hughes, ‘The Brine Baths Hotel’, is also available from our shop.