Pump Rooms, Tenbury Wells

In 1839-40 saline springs were discovered in the Worcestershire town of Tenbury causing it to change its name to Tenbury Wells. In the Victorian period many towns developed such "wells" and "spas" as genteel holiday attractions with an emphasis on visitors being able to "take the waters" for the sake of their health. This often necessitated the construction of buildings that housed the wells and spas, as well as hotels to accommodate the increased number of visitors.

Many of the spa buildings featured traditional classical architectural styles. However, others sought something more novel as at Tenbury Wells. The Pump Rooms here were the work of the Birmingham architect, James Cranston (1821-71), and are quite innovative and light-hearted, using a prefabricated system of his own design that borrowed ideas from large glasshouses. Pevsner thought it "Gothicky" or "Chinese". To my mind the buildings recall English seaside pier pavilions or low-cost eastern European churches.

photo 1 © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2
photo 2 © T. Boughen     Camera: iPhone

What are these buildings?

In Herefordshire and Worcestershire hops have long been grown for use in the beer brewing industry, and hops are grown still. In the past they were dried in specially designed tall buildings known locally as hop kilns. Many of these charming structures and their adjoining buildings can still be seen with some having been converted into living accommodation. On a recent visit to Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, we came upon two small versions of these hop kilns in a street near the centre of the town. I didn't pay them much attention when we first passed by, being more interested in getting to the building we had specifically come to see. But as we passed them later on I went across to see what they were. To my surprise they were the town's public toilets!

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2