From fine porcelain, gloving and carpet weaving to nail making, needle crafting, fishing tackle, and salt production, the county was home to pioneering trades and world-leading companies.
Redditch and the Needle Industry
For centuries, Redditch was known around the globe for one thing: needles. By the 19th century, this Worcestershire town produced 90% of the world’s hand-sewing needles. Over 100 companies employed as many as 15,000 people, making Redditch the unrivalled centre of needle-making.
Two names stand out: Henry Milward & Sons, founded in 1730 and run by four generations, and Abel Morralls, established in 1785. By the time of the Second World War, Redditch’s factories were producing a staggering 45 million needles every week.
Today, visitors can explore this story at the National Needle Museum at Forge Mill, where the Victorian workshops bring this fascinating trade to life.
Kidderminster and Carpet Weaving
In 1735, John Pearsall and John Broom began weaving what became known as the Kidderminster carpet. The town’s central location, boosted by the opening of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, meant these carpets soon reached customers far beyond England.
By the early 1800s, Kidderminster had earned its reputation as the Woven Carpet Capital of the World, with its designs gracing stately homes and prestigious buildings across the globe.
The story continues at the Carpet Museum in Kidderminster, which celebrates the craft and its lasting ties to the town.
The Salt Brines of Droitwich
Salt has been central to Droitwich Spa for thousands of years. The natural brine springs beneath the town are among the richest in the world, ten times saltier than seawater and equalled only by the Dead Sea.
So valuable was this resource that in 1215 King John granted Droitwich a Royal Charter, recognising its national importance. From the Roman period through the medieval era and into the 20th century, salt made Droitwich one of the most prosperous towns in England.
Droitwich Salt is still unique today — pure, natural, and untouched by pollution, it remains one of the county’s most distinctive products.
The Morgan Motor Company, Malvern
From needles and carpets to cars — Worcestershire’s story of making didn’t end in the industrial age. Since 1910, the Morgan Motor Company in Malvern has been handcrafting cars with a blend of tradition and innovation. The very first model sold for just £65.