Dudley Travel Guide

The museum can be found in Tipton Road in nearby Dudley and is easily found by bus from Birmingham centre and is named after this area to the west of the city that was blessed (some would say cursed) with an abundance of coal mines and created much employment in the early 1900s till the 70s. This coal mine and village is a total re-creation and gives the visitor an idea of life down the pit. Go underground to experience conditions and walk through the village to be transported back in time to the 1930s.You can also enjoy a boat trip along the Dudley canal which forms part of a large canal system in the Birmingham area..

This large zoo also includes a medieval castle, complete with ruins. It was considered cutting edge when it was constructed in 1937, and it has stayed up with the times, adding audiovisual presentations and displays of animals on the verge of extinction. From rare crocodiles to the endangered ibis, from foxes and badgers to woodpeckers, this zoo offers a fascinating glimpse at native wildlife. Children are treated to face painting, rides, activities, and a train on which to tour the zoo. Adults can explore the gardens or watch an archeological excavation.

Well worth the entry ticket, you can easily spend at least 5 hours here. 26 acres of re-built houses/ shops/ factories etc. There's a chip shop, a cinema, a coal-mine, canal-boats, chainmakers, transport museum, a school, a chapel, a fairground and a pub. You can also go on a narrowboat into the limestone caverns under Dudley castle.

Look at my pages for more details and photos.

It's really the only reason to visit Dudley (although you might want to go to the castle/ zoo).

The chips from the chip shop are superb. The beer in the pub is pretty good too.

At the Black C ountry Museum take a ride on the canal boat which takes you through the tunnels built in the 18C to transport the limestone from the Earl of Dudley`s mines
Between each tunnel is a green glade with dappled sunlight (on a good day) through the trees
The tunnels are very dark and a little scary, be warned if you have small children with you
On the return journey volunteers are called for to `walk` the barge through the tunnel as was done in the days before engine power

Go to the Black Country living museum, there you will find an entire village from years ago complete with coal mine, trolley busses, canal boats and industry.
There are lots of picnic sites, a fish and chip bar, tea rooms and a pub with great beer.
there is a turn of the century fairground for children.
we went with friends and found enough there to keep us occupied all day

This is a medium sized urban zoo in the grounds of Dudley Castle in the centre of the town.
26.3.03 Plans have been announced to spend £100m on upgrading and enlarging the zoo displaying the history of the castle and the nearby Wrens Nest Geological Area. They have specialized in breeding the rare Asiatic Lions and Snow Leopards. The very large animals, elephants and giraffes will be moved.

The aim of this museum is to portray the history and culture of the Black Country towns. The museum is spread over 26 acres, and many of the buildings are staffed with people in appropriate costume. I can't do better than quote from the web site as to the range of activities. Travel on a tramcar; Experience the underground coalmine; Ride on the fairground swingboats; See a silent film in the 1920s Cinema; Watch the demonstrations of metalworking and lots more for all ages and regardless of the weather.