A museum in Dudley has been named the Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, beating out theme parks and castles
An unlikely West Midlands gem has recently been crowned as the nation’s top tourist attraction, outshining theme parks, castles and Royal residences from across the land.
Every year, VisitEngland hosts its esteemed Awards for Excellence, honouring the crème de la crème of the nation’s tourism offerings.
One of the most sought-after awards is Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – and this year, the accolade has been bestowed upon a victor little-known outside the West Midlands: The Black Country Living Museum in Dudley.
Spanning 29 acres, this open-air museum breathes life into 250 years of the region’s industrial past, providing a gritty and immersive glimpse into the soot, steam and steel that moulded modern Britain. Visitors can amble along cobbled lanes, pop into recreated pubs and shops, and engage with costumed characters representing every era of the Black Country’s colourful history.
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The Black Country is well known to be the part of the West Midlands that fuelled the Industrial Revolution – a place known for its furnaces, foundries and famously robust accents.
The museum has recently undergone a £30 million refurbishment, marking its most ambitious project since 1978. The enhancements extend the historical journey to encompass the 1940s through to the 1960s, showcasing postwar culture, retro technology, and shifting societal attitudes, reports the Express.
There’s even a coal mine to explore – and what some argue are the best fish and chips in the area.
Peaky Blinders fans might clock this spot – it’s a top filming location for the hit TV series, and just the ticket for popping on a flat cap and getting into some serious Tommy Shelby vibes.
Boasting a 4.4-star rating on Tripadvisor with over 6,000 reviews thrown into the mix, the museum’s clearly doing something right.
Lilith G had her say: “Beautiful place. All the actors had so much information to offer. The guy in the hardware store even had a four candels/fork handles joke ready.”
Choxbird blurted out: “I spent a few hours here on a recent visit … Its an excellent museum with lots to see as you walk round … I even did the 30 min tour down the mine which was very informative .. There are old buses and trams to ride around on too … A good day out.”
Meanwhile, Angela piped up: “We have had a fantastic day out. While the price has increased since the last time we visited it has definitely been worth it. So much has changed and been added.”
With just a 35-minute jaunt from Brum and any daytime return included with your ticket, it’s hardly surprising punters tend to hang about for around five hours to snoop around all that’s on offer.
Swing by for a slice of history or even a bit of haddock – the Black Country Living Museum is well and truly putting Dudley on the map for those looking to explore.
