"Neither let it seeme strange that places have their names given them from Salt-pits, considering that we may meet with many such here and there in every Country, and our Ancestors the Germans, as Tacitus writeth, had a religious perswasion and beliefe that such places approch neerest to heaven, and that mens praiers were nowhere sooner heard of the Gods." Camden*: Worcestershire

Although salt springs are sometimes used for salt production, they often have a dual use. Salt springs have long been considered good for you - perhaps because cattle liked them, or their effect on wounds and pests, or just because of their strangeness. Even before the exploitation of salt springs in baths like those at Droitwich or Llandrindod the waters were taken by local people. Camden*, writing in 1607, notes in Shroppshire...

"Croke ... within a while after visiteth Middlewich, neere unto his confluence with Dan, where there bee two wells of salt water parted one from the other by a small broke, Sheathes they call them: the one stands not open, but at certaine set times, because folke willingly steale the water thereof, as beeing of greater vertue and efficacie."

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