Local Info

I'm starting in the obvious place - St John's church.  In an elevated position near the centre of the town it's hard to miss.  It's believed that Bromsgrove started it's life on this little hill so it's no surprise that the parish church now takes centre stage.  An attractive church both inside and out with a churchyard full of history.  Make sure you find the grave of the railways workers killed in 1840 by a boiler explosion! 

Situated on Rock Hill is  St Peter's Catholic Church.  If you're a Tolkien fan you may be interested to know that his mother is buried in the graveyard of the church.

http://www.tolkien-online.com/

BROMSGROVE, appears in the Domesday Book of 1086 where it is referred to as Bremesgrave. Breme meaning famous person and grave meaning a fortified clearing in a forest. In medieval times the town was a prosperous center for the woollen trade with the nailmaking trade arriving in the 17th century. Bromsgrove became the world centre for the manufacture of nails until the industry went into decline at the end of the 19th century.

The Bromsgrove Museum is housed in the former coach house of Davenal House, built in 1780, contains many exhibits portraying local history including works by the "Bromsgrove Guild". Founded in 1884 by William Gilbert as the Guild of Applied Art a company of craftsmen working in the "Arts and Grafts" style, they produced many fine works of art and sculpture including the gates to Buckingham Palace!!!

BORN IN BROMSGROVE

Geoffrey Hill - Born 1932 - English poet. Published is first collection of poems in 1952. Subsequent works included Preghiere (1964), King Log (1968), Mercian Hymns (1971) and Tenebrae (1978) which all won literary prizes

Laurence Houseman - Born 1865. Died 1959 - Novelist and dramatist.

Bromsgrove is surrounded by some beautiful countryside, undulating farmland rising in the north to the Clent and Lickey Hills, outstandingly attractive with exceptional views and miles upon miles of footpaths & Hiking. Add to this a wide range of pleasantly situated shops, superb  pubs and restaurants, you have the ideal place to visit.