A quaint town, Dudley, nestled between Birmingham and Wolverhampton, is a charming gem in the West Midlands that seems to have been frozen in time with its cobbled streets and famous fish and chip shop.
Despite being smaller than its neighbouring cities, Dudley has a unique charm, boasting connections to the Titanic, the popular TV series Peaky Blinders, and a host of historic landmarks and attractions for an unforgettable day out. Among these attractions is the Black Country Living Museum, a small town within the town, which was named Britain’s top tourist attraction and offers visitors a journey back in time.
Dudley is part of the Black Country region, along with Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. These areas were instrumental in fuelling the Industrial Revolution with their furnaces, foundries, and famously robust accents.
The term ‘Black Country’ dates back to the 19th century and refers to the colour of the coal and the air pollution prevalent at the time. The region is known for constructing the world’s first successful steam engine, introducing the first steam train (the Stourbridge Lion) on US soil, producing the anchor for the Titanic, helping introduce the first minimum wage, and playing a significant role in building London’s Crystal Palace.
The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, a celebrated gem that spans 29 acres, was named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year by VisitEngland earlier this year, outshining competitors such as Alton Towers, Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace.
This open-air museum is designed to resemble a real-life community, bringing to life 250 years of industrial history in the region. It offers visitors an authentic glimpse into the soot, steam and steel that moulde modern Britain.
Visitors can step back in time to explore the rich past of the Black Country, strolling along cobbled streets, visiting reconstructed pubs and shops, exploring a coal mine and interacting with characters in period costume. For those wishing to immerse themselves in 19th-century British life, adult tickets are priced at £26.95, while children aged 3-15 can enter for £14.95. Entry is free for children under two.
The museum also served as a key filming location for the popular TV series, Peaky Blinders, enticing fans to channel their inner Tommy Shelby. Moreover, the museum is home to the acclaimed fish and chip shop, Hobbs’ and Sons, lauded as one of the best in the region for its traditionally cooked fare, served in newspaper. Visitors can also pop into T. Cook’s Sweet Shop for a paper bag of traditional sweets, often weighed out from jars, or visit Veal’s Baker’s Shop.
Skilled blacksmiths work on site, crafting chains in the forge, which stands before the Dudley Canal.
The waterway passes through an extensive tunnel too narrow for horses that once powered the boats, so captains would lie flat on the vessel’s roof and propel the craft using their legs. Visitors can experience this ingenious method of travel today.
Wolverhampton’s legendary Elephant and Castle pub has been reconstructed on the museum’s high street, taking thirsty patrons back to an era before fruit machines, Sky Sports and mobile phones dominated a night out drinking.
Despite previously being labelled the “unhappiest” place to live on Rightmove, Dudley has been transformed by its comprehensive array of attractions. One of the town’s most beloved destinations is Dudley Zoo and Castle, located in the town centre.
The zoo houses hundreds of creatures, large and small, and first opened its doors to visitors in 1937, two years before the Second World War commenced.
During your visit, you can also marvel at the breathtaking panoramas across the West Midlands from the summit of Castle Hill. Set within the zoo grounds, you’ll discover the ancient Dudley Castle, a fortress rich in history stretching back to 1070 AD.
The castle and its courtyard serve as the setting for their ghost and history walks, where it’s believed to be haunted by an apparition known as the Grey Lady.
Beyond the supernatural elements, the castle also stages open-air cinema evenings and numerous children’s activities, alongside opportunities to observe bird of prey demonstrations. The Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill, often dubbed ‘Merry Hell’ during the festive season due to its notorious queues, is a magnet for locals with its vast array of shops, cafes and restaurants.
Not to mention, just across the road, there are even more dining options and a cinema where you can catch the latest flick and take a breather from the bustling crowds in this unassuming market town.