Nantwich Museum in Cheshire has received a National Heritage Lottery Fund grant (NLHF) for the ‘Nantwich Salt: the story behind the growth of the town’ project. 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 over 1,600 years into the 20th century. In the 21st century a local well supplies the town’s brine swimming pool. The project will not only improve access to heritage collections through the redisplay of significant artefacts, alongside new digital and interactive interpretation, but also a sound trail will be created using audio from the local. An online Cheshire-wide salt trail will also be created, connecting the region’s history, culture, and landscape. Cheshire is well known for its salt heritage, which includes the industrial heritage sites and museums at the Anderton Boat Lift, Lion Salt Works, and the Murgatroyd’s Brine Pump.

Project officer for the grant Matthew Bridson said, “Nantwich holds such an important place in Cheshire’s proud salt history. I’m excited to help bring this fascinating heritage to the fore alongside local communities, as we dive into Nantwich’s briny past together!”

Nantwich Museum is an independent museum. Entry is free, and it is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 10am to 4pm. Displays include Roman salt making material, and a late medieval wooden tank made from a hollowed oak tree, known locally as a salt ship.

Further details here: Projects – Nantwich Museum