Tourist Information

Visiting the Black Country
Broadfield House Glass Museum sits on the edge of the Dudley Borough and the area known as the Black Country. The Black Country got its name in the mid 19th century from the smoke produced by thousands of ironworking foundries and forges in the area and also from the mining of the coal seams. There are many definitions of where the Black Country is but it is not an actual geographical area that can be found on a map. Today the Black Country is described as covering most of the four Metropolitan District Council areas of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton and the term is used to promote the West Midlands region that is north and west of Birmingham.

 

The Black Country is famous for its industry, particularly coal, iron and steel, locks and keys, nails, chains and anchors as well as beer and of course, glass. Birmingham and the Black Country had over 200 miles of canals; 130 miles are still in use although used more for pleasure than industry now. If you would like to know more about the canal network and information on canal boat hire, visit the British Waterways website at.

 

Its close proximity to Birmingham means that many areas of the Black Country have all the charm of the countryside and all the conveniences of the city. Many of the major towns have very good modern shopping centres as well as traditional high street shops and regular street markets. Merry Hill, one of the largest shopping centres in Britain, can be found in Brierley Hill, between Dudley and Stourbridge.

 

The Black Country is also linked to historical events such as the restoration of Charles II to the throne, and the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder plot. On 7th of November 1605, a group of the plotters arrived at Holbeche House near Kingswinford, after fleeing from London. An accidental explosion, caused by the plotters drying their powder in front of an open fire, injured several of them. The next day the Sheriff of Worcester arrived with his men and the conspirators were all either fatally wounded or apprehended.

 

Tourists to the Black Country will find a wealth of attractions to satisfy all interests. In addition to those listed on the previous page, other attractions include Wolverhampton Art Gallery, Bilston Craft Gallery, the New Art Gallery in Walsall, the Leather Museum in Walsall, Wednesbury Museum and Art Gallery, Wrens Nest National Nature Reserve in Dudley and Saltwells Local Nature Reserve in Dudley Wood. There is a lively music scene, as well as theatre, comedy and dance including amateur, student and professional productions. For more information on what is happening in the Black Country visit the BBC Black Country website.

 

Visiting the West Midlands
The Borough of Dudley also neighbours Staffordshire and Worcestershire, and is within easy travelling distance of parts of Shropshire, Warwickshire, Hereford, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire, Cheshire and Wales. Popular tourist destinations such as Stratford-upon-Avon and Ludlow, venues such as Birmingham NEC and the Molineux Stadium, and visitor attractions like Warwick Castle, Alton Towers, and the Severn Valley Steam Railway, are only a day-trip away. If you would like further information on places to stay, things to do in the West Midlands region and how to get here, the following websites have useful listings and contacts.