Discover Redditch, Worcestershire

Redditch, Worcestershire, England: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Market_Place,_Redditch.JPG
Author: Benkid77


Redditch is a town and borough in northeastern Worcestershire, England. Located 24 km (15 mi) south of Birmingham, it has a population of 80,000 people (2012 estimate)

The earliest mention of Redditch was in 1348, the year that the Black Death swept the region. Not much is known about the town's early history, though evidence of human activity goes back to the Roman period, since there is a Roman road in the area, today known as Icknield Street.

Redditch became a center for needle making in the Middle Ages. This evolved to make Redditch the most important manufacturer of needles, fish hooks and fishing tackles in the 19th century. At one time, 90% of the world's needles come from Redditch, an unprecedented accomplishment.

By the 20th century, cheaper global competition has eroded Redditch dominance in the needle industry. The Royal Enfield motorcycles were also manufactured in Redditch until 1967, when the factory closed. Other modern light industries grew in its place along with the services industry. At the same time, proximity to Birmingham turned it into a dormitory town for people working there. Nonetheless the history of needle making is remembered today in places such as the National Needle Museum in Redditch.

St Peter's Church in Ipsley, Redditch: Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St_Peters_Church_,_Ipsley,_Redditch_-_geograph.org.uk_-_131514.jpg
Author: peter lloyd

Visiting Redditch

From London, take the M40 motorway and then continue west on the M42 motorway. Exit the M42 at Junction 2, then head south on the A441 road until you reach Redditch.

Places of Interest in Redditch

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Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.