History

Roman Occupation

The Roman invaders ruled the area for 400 years and continued to exploit and improve the manufacture and trade in salt.

From AD 47 to AD 70 a Roman Fort stood on Dodderhill above the town now occupied by St. Augustine’s Church (a drawing of which is part of the Droitwich Spa.com logo).

The fort had a good position on the Southern end of a ridge overlooking the marshy valley and a crossing point of the River Salwarpe. It was one of a series of garrisons established between Gloucester and Wroxeter during the advance from the Fosse Way to the River Severn.

Archaeological investigations revealed defences consisting of a ditch enclosing 12 acres. The fort itself would have been a wooden stockade.

Two Roman villas have also been found. The largest of these having under floor heating, mosaics and elaborate painted plaster. They date from the 3rd Century AD.

Although evidence of grain processing has been found it is difficult to say if the settlement was mainly industrial in nature or if there was any urban aspect to it.

The Heritage centre in Droitwich Spa town centre has an exhibit of human remains dating back to Roman times.