Nantwich Museum secures lottery funding for salt exhibition

Nantwich Museum has received funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to deliver a major new project called “Nantwich Salt: the story behind the growth of the town”.

The project aims to improve interpretation, accessibility, and public understanding of Nantwich’s salt-making heritage, which had a profound impact on the development of the town.

Salt-production in Nantwich dates back to the Roman period and continued for more than 1,600 years.

There were salt houses drawing brine from a salt pit beside the river known as the Old Biot.

Today, this supplies the town’s brine outdoor swimming pool.

The project will improve access to heritage collections through the re-display of significant artefacts, including the UK’s only known medieval salt ship, alongside new digital and interactive interpretation.

A sound trail will be created using audio from the local area and incorporating local stories including those connected to the now demolished Brine Baths Hotel.

Working with other local heritage sites an online Cheshire-wide salt trail will also be created, connecting the region’s history, culture and landscape.

Members of the public, volunteers and schools will be able to take part in the project through events and training, allowing even more people to enjoy and play a part in Nantwich’s heritage.

Nantwich Museum will be running community events throughout the project.

Kate Dobson, manager at Nantwich Museum, said: “We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“Thanks to National Lottery players we can now develop our plans to bring this significant aspect of the town’s history to life.”

Entry is free to the museum. Located in Pillory Street, the museum is open from 10am-4pm (Tuesday – Saturday).

For further information contact: Nantwich Museum on [email protected] or call 01270 627104.