Places of Interest

Stourbridge has an enviable collection of buildings of high quality and public affinity. Here’s just a few of the town’s fascinating landmarks.

 

 

Stourbridge Town Hall was built by public subscription to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887. A corn exchange, fire station, council chamber and municipal offices were added the following year. The building dominates Market Street with its imposing tower, cupola and locally produced materials, red brick and terracotta. The Town Hall remains an important architectural and cultural feature of Stourbridge hosting plays, concerts and meetings.

 

 

St Thomas’s Church was built between 1728 and 1736 of brick with some stone dressings, because of the inconvenience suffered by the inhabitants of the town in having to go along distance to the Parish Church Oldswinford by which the Dissent was fostered. The chancel was only added in 1890 as in the 18th and early 19th centuries chancels were considered ‘popish’. The large and attractive east window has had to be protected with reinforced

 

 

The Bonded Warehouse is a beautifully restored Grade II listed building which is part of the Black Country’s Heritage. It was constructed by Thomas Dadford Jnr between 1776 and 1779 for £38,000. The building is a simple two storey brick structure approximately 23 feet wide and 70 feet long, with the interesting feature of a semi-circular east end. It stands proudly in an industrial setting alongside the Stourbridge Town Arm Canal where a number of narrow boats are permanently moored.

 

 

With 400 years  of glass making history, the  Stourbridge area is home to a vibrant community of studio glass artists.

 

The Red House Cone is over 100ft tall and one of only four cones left in the U.K. Watch glassblowers in action creating contemporary glass, discover underground tunnels, shop at both the Cone gift shop and Stuart Crystal outlet and feast on the delights of the Crystal Tearooms. www.redhousecone.co.uk

 

Ruskin Glass Centre is host to the International Festival of Glass that takes place every 2 years. The Festival brings international glass masters together to share their talents and skills in a variety of workshops. www.ifg.org.uk

 

Broadfield House Glass Museum is one of the major museums of the world and contains a magnificent collection of British glass from the 18^th century tableware and Stourbridge cameo and rock crystal to historic paperweights and modern glass studio. www.glassmuseum.org.uk