Hello darlings, it's your girl Pink Tutu Sparkles, bringing you a brand new blog post, fresh from Droitwich! Oh, how I've been dreaming of a day out to the Cotswolds - the rolling hills, the picturesque villages, the tea rooms... it just screams "Tutu Time"!
Droitwich, my lovelies, has a charm unlike anywhere else. It's the sort of town where you imagine seeing ladies in vintage hats strolling by, clutching wicker baskets, and you might just be right, but I saw plenty of tourists with cameras too! Honestly, I wouldn't mind being mistaken for a local for a day myself.
This blog post is a little different - for once I didn't perform! It's true, my schedule's getting busier by the day, and I need a break, but this is also about those who live in a place like this, who don't do drag but just get on with their daily life. And hey, I love exploring places off the usual tour routes! So for the past few days, I’ve been immersing myself in all things Droitwich and the surrounding countryside - it's the perfect break!
Now, how do I get to places like this? You all know I adore a train ride, with the scenery rushing past my window, the comfy seats, and those tasty snacks on the trolley! This time, however, a dear friend, who just happens to own a beautiful mare named 'Pinkie', offered to take me for a ride! Yes, darlings, I rode a horse - and looked fabulous doing it! Imagine a bright pink tutu swishing as Pinkie galloped through the fields - pure joy, I tell you!
But let's not forget, we are always in the spotlight! Even in Droitwich! So let me tell you about my journey...
Droitwich's charming railway station was a delight right off the bat! With its brick arches and quaint benches, it's just so cosy, I felt like stepping back in time. You’d have never known, in that setting, that just down the road is an award-winning restaurant, The Bear, renowned for its exceptional cuisine. That would have been my pick for dinner if I wasn't here with Pinkie...but I can always have afternoon tea the next day!
And let me tell you, even with the excitement of my upcoming horse ride, I did not forget the importance of getting that fabulous photo opportunity for my insta, so there was a photo op by the sign for the town and then on the platform at the train station in my favourite new floral pink tutu dress!
Now, Droitwich Spa, the jewel of the town, was just divine! I loved strolling through the pretty gardens, taking in the fresh air and soaking in the beauty - there's something almost sacred about these gardens with their fountains and sculptures - and, of course, I had to take a picture in front of the impressive Spa buildings. They're just so grand!
Speaking of grandeur, there is an incredible place in Droitwich, where every day, every hour, every minute they serve a delicious, freshly baked pie, you get a lovely plateful of delicious homemade potato salad - it is just SO good...it's The Pie Factory and is absolutely perfect for a quick lunch. I got myself the 'cottage' pie, it was scrumptious. Of course, this was the perfect excuse to wear my "Bake My Day!" tutu dress - what better place to enjoy a pie in?
After my delectable lunch, I felt energized and ready for adventure! A little drive later and I found myself in a quiet, peaceful spot, all ready to be met by Pinkie. As I met her she came trotting right up to me, nuzzling my hand. What a sweet thing she was! You all know my love for ballet and animals... she had such a grace about her. There was something about being with Pinkie, about feeling her muscles underneath me, the gentle rise and fall of her back, the sun on my face...it felt utterly freeing! As we went for a walk and I rode Pinkie for the first time, she responded so sweetly, to the gentlest tug on the reigns she would trot along! Such an amazing animal...it truly is a love of mine!
My visit wasn't all about horses, though. Droitwich has a beautiful town centre, with historic pubs and quaint little shops - not the type I’d normally browse - no glamour clothes but instead, you could buy everything from hand-crafted jewellery to unique homeware made from reclaimed wood or antiques! It is a treat to find the hidden gems of a town and Droitwich definitely had that quality...I particularly loved the bookshops! You could find books of all kinds there - it's a haven for lovers of words!
I even popped in to The Droitwich Canning Company, with it's beautifully vintage decor! Now this place is just what you need to enjoy delicious pies and cocktails, plus there was a display of fabulous vintage clothing from the owner's personal collection. It truly is a must-see, darlings. And the food? Let’s just say I’m a convert to the joys of pickled gherkins!
In Droitwich, there is also the beautiful St Andrews Church, built in the 15th century and full of intriguing historic tales and gothic architectural details - so pretty to look at, with the stained glass windows! And then there's the Droitwich Heritage Centre. This charming little museum housed in the former library and town hall, gave me an inside look at the town’s long and rich history! So much to learn about.
Now I’ve spoken a lot about the beauty of the countryside, but the place we’re talking about here has a truly magical feature…and that’s it’s Saltworks! I’m a true science girl so this place has real allure for me. The Brine Baths, which use water taken from a source with a high salt content, date back to Roman times. While they were not available to the public at the time - although, apparently people thought the salt was quite medicinal and beneficial for the body - the Brine Baths, a bit more accessible these days, is a haven for those seeking relaxation and health benefits, plus a pretty fabulous place to stop by, even if you are not on the brine-lover’s tour.
If you want to immerse yourself in this town’s history from the time of Roman Britain onwards and learn the ancient techniques of making salt…the Worcestershire Saltworks Museum, is definitely worth the visit - and don't worry darlings, you don't need a tutu to have a fab time there, although, as you know, a tutu never goes amiss.
Now darlings, I know this was a bit different for me - not a single show or performance in this post, but a little behind the scenes look at my life as Pink Tutu Sparkles and Alex. I’m all about inspiring everyone, and part of that includes enjoying my own life in all its flamboyant glory, which means spending time with good friends and soaking up some quiet rural charm - but that does not mean it's not a great photo opportunity!
I’ve got to tell you - Droitwich has won my heart! If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or just a unique day out in beautiful English surroundings - it's just perfect and of course, there's a tea room just for me. The Tea Room at the end of the road is the ideal place to end your day.
See you all soon! Until next time, darlings…Keep shining and stay fabulous.
Yours in Tutu,
Pink Tutu Sparkles
www.pink-tutu.com
