I love Kidderminster (Kidderminster)

Member Name: caravaningqueen

Product:	Kidderminster
Date:	21/01/09 (81 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Wide range of services, shops and facilities

Disadvantages: Declining manufacturing industry

I live in a small village about 5 miles from Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

I went to school in Kidderminster and have grown up all my life visiting the town for shopping and socialising.

****Where is Kidderminster***
Kidderminster is a town in Worcestershire, approximately 10 miles away from the main city of Worcester. It is on the outskirts of the West Midlands conurbation.

****History****
Kidderminster is most famous, starting in the 18th century, for its manufacture of high quality carpets. Most famously Brinton Carpets still have a fully working factory in Kidderminster to this day.

The Severn Valley Railways which runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth is still a major visitor attraction with the opportunity to travel on steam and diesel trains from a past era.

One of Kidderminster's most famous residents was Richard Baxter who preached at St Mary's Church for around two decades. There is still a large memorial which stands outside St Mary's.

***Today****
There is very little manufacturing of carpets now done in Kidderminster. It has now been replaced by retail and commercial as well as service industries.

***Shopping***
Has certainly increased within the outskirts of Kidderminster throughout recent years, with retail parks becoming more and more dominant throughout. There is still a good range of shops available in the town center to include, WHS, TJ Hughes, Dorothy Perkins, Early Learning Center to name a few as well as small shops, market, banks, charity shops and estate agents.

Retails parks ensure plenty of parking is available and the larger supermarkets, such as Tesco and Sainsburys are based on these, together with Next, TK Maxx, M&S, J D Sports, The Range etc.

Shopping facilities are now excellent in the town and there is a wide range of goods and services available.

***Kidderminster Harriers Football Club***
The stadium was originally built in the 18th century as an athletics club. However, this quickly changed into a Rugby and football club.

Today investment has meant that the stadium has been updated considerably and now they play successfully within the blue square premier league.

I have been a Kidderminster Harriers fan for many years and have enjoyed many a boxing day cheering on the reds!

****Eating out and staying***
There are a wide variety of places to eat in Kidderminster from Subway and MacDonalds to more sophisticated restaurants such as The Brasserie and Frankie and Bennys. There are good quality pubs in the town center such as Penny Blacks and Yates as well as others a few miles out such as The Park Gate and The Land Oak.

Hotels are widely available within the area as well as a range of smaller guest hotels and even a few bed and breakfasts. Hotels include Ramada Jarvis, The Stone Manor and Gainsborough House Hotel.

****Forest Glades Leisure Centre***
Can be found in the centre of the town and includes a fun pool with waves and slides as well as a swimming pool, squash courts, cafe, gym, sauna, steam room and solarium as well as dance studio. Classes and lessons are held for many sports and abilities throughout the week.

***Education****
There are a number of primary and secondary schools including King Charles I High School as well as an independent girls school called Holy Trinity School. A further education college also offers a range of A Levels, full and part time educational and leisure courses for school leavers and adults alike.

***Other services****
There are also a wide variety of dentists, doctors and opticians throughout Kidderminster as well as a local hospital which has a maternity and day care center facilities. It also incorporate the local primary care centre where doctors and nurses can be seen out of hours and a minor injuries unit.

****Verdict****
A great town with a wide variety of facilities!

Summary: Great Midlands town ;-)