Why is it called the ‘Black Country’?
There have been thoughts, theories, ideas and stories. Two have dominated Black Country minds over the years.
One evokes images of red, fiery furnaces by night and black, sooty citadels by day. Another, tells of the rich, loamy earth mixing with the eight foot coal seam which dominates the land.
The Black Country today is much more, but very much the product of its unique heritage; cradle of the Industrial Revolution.
Canals
Fired by coal readily available in the area, the Industrial Revolution transformed and shaped what we know as the Black Country. This was only made possible because of the canal network that enabled coal and other raw materials to be transported economically. The Black Country Canals have a wealth of fascinating junctions and buildings including bridges locks and warehouses.
At the hub of the Black Country's Canal System lies the Galton Valley and the Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre. Additionally the Smethwick Engine site and newly restored and working Smethwick Pumping Station are open to visitors. The area is a unique site dating back to the dawn of the canal age with canals engineered by Brindley, Smeaton and Telford.
One of the marvels of the Victorian era can be viewed in the valley, namely Thomas Telford's Galton Bridge, once the largest single span bridge over the largest man-made cutting in the world.
Glass
The glass industry in the Black Country dates back to the 17th Century when glass makers moved from Lorraine because of religious persecution and settled in Stourbridge. Attracted by an abundant supply of coal and clay for their melting pots they initially made window glass and bottles. In the 18th Century following the invention of lead glass they began producing the tableware and ornamental glass for which the region is now world famous.
Today the glass industry is much less extensive yet a number of factories still operate on their historic sites. Of particular interest at Stuart Crystal is the Red House Glass Cone, where the 100ft Cone is one of only four remaining in the country and the only one open to the public.
The Broadfield House Glass Museum is the perfect place to see glassblowers and engravers at work and to experience at first hand the Black Country's proud glassmaking industry.
Leather
Walsall is famed throughout the world for its leather trade. In 1377 references were made to Loriners who were makers of metal items for saddlery such as stirrups, spurs and buckles.
It was not until the second half of the nineteenth century that the leather trade began to expand dramatically in Walsall. The peak of the industry was around 1900, when about 10,000 people were engaged in producing leather and making saddlery and harness, much of it for export.
Saddles for the Royal Household have been made in Walsall for centuries, and today's modern markets see Walsall leather as quality throughout the World. There are now about sixty-five saddlery firms in the Borough, probably the greatest concentration of saddlers anywhere in the world.
Walsall Leather Museum tells the story of the Walsall trades and feature splendid examples of local craftsmanship both past and present.
Locks
Willenhall has a long and illustrious lock industry tradition. Household names such as Chubb, Yale and Union, all have their roots in Walsall, and many smaller lock and key firms exist today producing highly specialised locks and keys.
The Lock industry has long been able to rely on the skills and flexibility of the Willenhall workforce. At The Locksmith's House visitors will experience the living and working conditions of a lockmaker's family around the turn of the last century.
Iron & Steel
The Black Country is renowned throughout the world for its production of iron and steel goods, including chains of all sizes, nails, tubes, forgings, rolled products, and castings. In the Castlefields Ironworks situated in the Black Country Living Museum many of the iron working processes of the area can be found.
The Nail Shop within the museum is a replica of one built about 1880 in Chapel Street, Halesowen. The Chain Shop also in the museum was built using two hearths from one of the last firms in the area to make handmade chain, Bloomers of Quarry Bank.
- Bantock House
- Historic house with Edwardian Arts & Crafts interior and museum of Wolverhampton. Temporary and permanent exhibitions of decorative arts and social history. Interactive displays for children and guided tours.
- Black Country Living Museum
- 26-acre site, open-air museum with original shops, houses and workplaces that are brought to life with costumed characters.
- Broadfield House Glass Museum
- World famous collection of 19th and 20th Century Stourbridge glass housed in an attractive Georgian building with ultra-modern glass extension, programme of events throughout the year.
- Dudley Canal Tunnel & Limestone Mines
- Travel by boat through the Dudley Tunnel & Limestone Mines or experience the original art of 'legging'.
- Dudley Museum & Art Gallery
- Dudley Museum & Art Gallery possesses an interesting collection of 19th and 20th Century oil paintings, drawings and watercolours as well as modern prints and pictures. UnEarth - a new geological gallery highlights the role of Dudley's world famous geology, including the Dudley Bug.
- Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre
- Visitor centre offering an introduction to the area's canals with displays, audio-visual shows, artefacts and information. Site of the Smethwick Engine and Smethwick Pumping Station.
- Haden Hill House
- A Victorian gentleman's residence partly furnished in period style and surrounded by 55 acres of beautiful parkland.
- Himley Hall & Park
- Eighteenth century Grade II listed building set in 180 acres of 'Capability Brown' landscaped parkland. Former stately home of the Earls of Dudley, now host to many varying exhibitions and special events both in the Hall and Grounds.
- Jerome K Jerome Museum
- Birthplace of the famous Victorian author Jerome K Jerome (1859-1927) writer of 'Three Men in a Boat'. The Museum is situated in two rooms of his family home. One room is dedicated to the life and works of Jerome and the other room is a reconstructed Victorian Parlour.
- Moseley Old Hall
- Discover one of the most exciting and romantic stories in English history as Moseley Old Hall was where King Charles II hid after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.
- Oak House Museum
- 16th century timber framed yeoman farmer's house surrounded by pleasant grounds, housing Tudor and Jacobean furniture.
- Red House Glass Cone
- Built around 1790 and reaching 100ft into the sky the Red House Glass Cone is one of only four cones left in the UK. The Cone provides an insight into the history and tradition of glassmaking and the work of contemporary glass artists and makers. Regular glassblowing demonstrations take place inside the Cone.
- The Locksmith's House
- The Locksmith's House shows the lifestyle and working conditions of the Hodson lockmaking family of Willenhall at the turn of the century. The Victorian house and lockmaking workshops are typical of the many small businesses which once flourished in the town which has been the heart of lockmaking since the Industrial Revolution - the Hodson family business was established in 1792. A comprehensive collection of locks and keys portray the history of locks and the long tradition of lockmaking in Willenhall. The two-storey backyard workshop, with belt driven machinery, is where Edgar Hodson made padlocks in the traditional way. The gas-lit interiors of the house depict how the Hodson family lived, with parlour, kitchen, office and bedroom displays.
- Tipton Heritage Centre
- Tipton's fascinating industrial and social history is covered in a series of family friendly interactive displays within a purpose built, brand new local history centre due to open in October 2006 at Tipton Library in the heart of Tipton Town Centre.
- Walsall Arboretum
- Walsall Arboretum is a beautiful park containing lakes, trees and gardens. Probably best known for the annual lightshow, Walsall Illuminations, which takes place during September and October. With over 50 illuminated features, lakeside lights, laser show, floodlit gardens, children's rides, entertainment and refreshments.
- Walsall Illuminations
- Walsall is home to Britain's biggest inland illuminations - the spectacular Walsall Illuminations held every autumn in the beautiful setting of the town's Arboretum.
- Walsall Leather Museum
- Walsall is the world capital of saddle making. The Leather Museum tells the fascinating story of this trade, in a superb Victorian factory. Tours and demonstrations are available.
- Walsall Museum
- Museum devoted to the community history of Walsall from the 17th century to the present day. The museum runs a programme of special events, exhibitions and children's activity days throughout the year.
- Wednesbury Museum & Art Gallery
- Victorian Art Gallery built in 1891. Permanent Victorian picture gallery. Exciting temporary exhibitions and largest public display of Ruskin Pottery.
- West Midlands Waterways
- Take some time out on the canals of the Black Country, one of the highlights of the region. You can enjoy a relaxing meal at a waterside pub, go cycling, fishing or walking or travel further afield on a short break narrowboat holiday. Leading attractions such as Merry Hill Shopping Centre and The Black Country Living Museum are on the canalside, so there is plenty for all the family to enjoy.
- Wharf Narrowboat
- A 40 seat narrowboat, which runs cruises throughout the year along the Walsall Canal starting from Town Wharf, next to the New Art Gallery. The Wharf is also available for private hire.
