1. The Black Country Living Museum-Dudley

What a brilliant place to start! I myself have fond memories of going for days and nights out at the Black Country living museum.

There are plenty of activities for all the family and all ages.

Located just outside of Dudley town centre, the Black Country living museum is a step back in time.

Walk down the cobbled streets and take in the atmosphere of a era gone by, brimming with history and moments ready to be experienced.

The creative team have faithfully re-created genuine Victorian era shops, homes, businesses and even a school!

There are tours via a genuine tram, which goes through the entire museum and along the way, costumed characters will describe and bring to life what is going on around you.

There are also places to stop off for a bite to eat (the famous Hobbs’ fish & chip shop) and a place to drink (The Bottle & Glass Inn).

A lot of people also enjoy taking in the live demonstration of the forge work, really showing and bringing to life the hard work that people endured way back when in the Black Country.
There’s also the underground mine exploration, which shows the terrible conditions workers had to endure. Also, eagle eyed fans of the BBC’s ‘Peaky Blinders’, will notice that scenes from the show have been filmed on site at the museum.

I think the main thing people take away with them after a visit to the Black Country Living museum is how proud we are of the region and all of its accomplishments over the years and it’s obvious from talking to people that they feel the same way too.

Visit the Black Country Museum

2. The Red House Glass Cone-Stourbridge

With a heritage of over 200 years of glass making experience, the Red House Glass Cone is a must visit attraction if you’re interested in the art of glass blowing, making jewellery or viewing the museum of glass, then this is right up your street.

They also offer workshop courses on jewellery and pottery. Living within the heart of the Black Country, the Red House Glass Cone is an easy to reach attraction, in an attractive part of the region.

Visit The Red House Glass Cone

3. Leather Museum-Walsall

Walsall was the capital of leather manufacture in the United Kingdom. The museum houses exhibitions, with examples of the fine leather work they create as well as the history of leather making in the area. There are also work shops where you can see skilled workers create these pieces and even have a go yourself.

The museum is situated inside a renovated Victorian factory building that was one of the original factories from over 200 years ago. A trip to the leather museum is an experience and an educational trip in of itself.

Visit The Walsall Leather Museum

4. Sandwell Valley Country Park-West Bromwich

The 1,800 acre site is an area of local beauty within the Black Country. There’s plenty to do here, including bike trails, walking routes and bird watching.

There’s also the working Victorian farm that houses a number of rare breeds of animals, as well as the award winning tea rooms.

For the kids, there’s an adventure playground with climbing nets, a rope bridge, an 8m high tower with a slide, swings, a double zip wire, a suspension bridge, a play tractor and trailer and timber sculptures.

There is also an aerial rope adventure for bigger kids, suspended 13 meters off the ground; It has a climbing tower, a high wire winding around obstacles including wobbly logs, bridges and hanging vines and a high-speed zip wire for the trip back down to the ground.

All in all Sandwell Valley Country park is great fun for a family that like to embrace and reach out to great outdoors.

Visit Sandwell Valley Park

5. Zoo And Castle Grounds-Dudley

Picture Courtesy Of Express & Star

One of the most famous landmarks in the Black Country, Dudley Zoo and Castle has been a family favourite for many, many years. It has some of the rarest species of animals including, Tigers, Tapiers, Black bears, Camels, Bats and Kangaroos!

All housed within the grounds of the 11^th century castle, which can be seen for miles around.

One of the best ways to explore the castle is to climb up the main tower or take a ride in the country’s only working vintage chairlift and see the brilliant views for yourself.

As well as viewing the animals and all the brilliant conservation work they do at the zoo, they also offer people the experience to be a keeper for the day, preparing the feed, grooming the animals also helping with the animal’s natural behavior through educating play.

They also offer animal adoptions, which make a great gift for a loved one or friend, as well as the extensive gift shop, with something for everyone. This is again, another place that I have fond memories of, both growing up and re-visiting as an adult.

Visit Dudley Castle & Zoo

Why not leave a reply below with your favourite places to visit in the Black Country & give others some inspiration on how best to spend their time here:)