Fired by coal readily available in the area, the Industrial Revolution transformed and shaped the area known as the Black Country - the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell (with West Bromwich at its heart), Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Within a modern and bustling area, echoes of Dudley’s past are hard to ignore. Each age has left its legacy, from the medieval marketplace through to the 19th and 20th century civic and commercial structures. The Merry Hill Centre is a beacon for Midlands’ shoppers and many visitors still enjoy the Red House Cone and Broadfield House glass-making museums. The famous Black country Living Museum celebrates the rich industrial heritage of the area.
Sandwell contains a rich seam of arts, crafts, tradition and culture. Sandwell Valley and Park Farm offers the peace of the countryside just a Metro ride from Birmingham. In Wednesbury, you’ll find one of the world’s largest collections of Ruskin’s 1930s pottery.
Walsall offers busy markets, easy connections and a growing cultural diversity. You can take in local heritage at the Leatherworks Museum or the acclaimed new Art Gallery featuring the magnificent German Ryan Collection – over 350 internationally important paintings by artists such as Picasso and Van Gogh.
One of the new millennium cities, Wolverhampton has a wealth of attractions, heritage and opportunities. As well as a major university it also boasts a multi-faceted offering, from Wightwick manor with its William Morris originals, to the thrills of the all-weather racecourse.