Black Country Living Museum

26 acres of open-air museum, comprising village, live period craft, underground mining experience and tram rides, plus plenty more. Our award-winning corner of the West Midlands is now one of the finest and largest museums in the United Kingdom. 

The Black Country emerged in the 1830s, creating the first industrial landscape anywhere in the world. The Museum tells the story of the life-styles, cultures, traditions and industry of the people living in the Black Country from 1850-1950. It is the story of things being made as well as lives being led, and so offers exciting learning opportunities to stimulate and engage learners of all ages.

See, smell, hear, touch and even taste what it was like to live and work in the world’s first industrial landscape. Explore our period shops and houses, meet our costumed demonstrators, discover hidden gardens and industrial workshops, cross bridges and canals and ride on a tramcar or fairground swing boat.

Chat to costumed characters from a bygone era and hear their stories of time gone by. Watch demonstrations of traditional skills - from sweet-making and baking to heavy metal-working - or get hands-on with our heritage skills activities. Experience life at work in our underground mine, life at play in our street game activities or join in a traditional school lesson in our period school.

The 3'6” gauge tramway runs from the depot outside the Entrance Building to the School by the Museum village. The tram fleet comprises 3 vehicles, 2 single-deck trams of c1920 and a 1909 double-deck open-topper from Wolverhampton. There is also an underground element to safely demonstrate mining conditions which is exciting for kids.

If you are old enough, you may just be looking for nostalgia and that is fine. But equally, we believe that history shouldn’t be seen as a safe haven in a fast changing and challenging world, but a catalyst for thinking and reflection about our own lives. We hope you have a fabulous and thought-provoking time.

Schools

Let us help you bring the curriculum to life with unique and memorable learning experiences.

Find out about the range of themed events, workshops, hands-on activities and resources that we offer to enhance and enrich the curriculum.

Our education programme caters for all ages and levels, from Early Years through to Higher Education and covers a broad subject area, including history, the arts, science, technology, geography, literacy, mathematics and citizenship.