Norbury House

Norbury House stands in Friar Street in Droitwich Spa, a town in Worcestershire. Built in 1935 as a hotel, it replaced an earlier timber-framed house from around 1600 that once belonged to the Norbury family. The new building was designed in the Art Deco style by Stanley Hall, Easton & Robertson. It features red brick, steep tiled roofs, and an H-shaped plan with gabled wings. The corner entrance on Friar Street is elaborate, and upper floors have French doors with metal balconies. The house has strong links to the Norbury family, including Captain Coningsby Norbury who fought in the Battle of the Windward Passage in 1760. Another family member, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Coningsby Norbury, served in the Crimean War. The building once operated as a hotel with its own spa, the St Andrews Brine Baths, reflecting Droitwich Spa’s reputation as a health resort. It later served as a council headquarters and a reception centre during and after the Second World War. Today, Norbury House contains flats, offices, and the Norbury Theatre. The theatre, converted from the former ballroom in 1962, hosts performances and is managed by the Droitwich Theatre and Arts Club. The actor and comedian Rik Mayall regularly performed there until his death in 2014. Behind the building lies a sunken garden, adding to its character. The theatre plans to hold a comedy festival in his honour in 2024.