The ‘Black Country’ is the name given to an area of the West Midlands in the centre of England.  It gained its name during the Industrial Revolution circa 1830 as it became one of the most industrialised parts of England.  There were huge numbers of coal mines, iron foundries, and steel mills, which all produced black smoke and terrible air pollution – hence its name.

There are many arguments in the local area about what towns are in the Black Country.  The main towns locals agree on are West Bromwich, Oldbury, Blackheath, Cradley Heath, Old Hill, Bilston, Dudley, Tipton, Wednesfield, Halesowen, Wednesbury and Walsall.  You will see these towns marked on maps, however, you will never find ‘The Black Country’ marked on a map.

The history of the area is a fascinating one – a story worth hearing and learning about.  The best and most interesting way of doing this is to visit The Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) which is one of the largest open air museums in Britain.

For over 40 years the museum has been being built, its covers 26 acres and still continues to have new features added.  In short, they have taken down old buildings from the area rather than them being demolished and lost and recreated a town at the museum.  You can stop and talk to the ‘locals’ in the houses & shops, get told off by the policeman and take a lesson in the school house.  The fish and chips cooked in beef dripping in the old fryers are not to be missed – get there early as the queue gets very long!  You must pop into the local pub and try the beer and pork scratchings, take a trip on the tram and visit the old fashioned fun fair.

You can find out more about the museum by clicking here – definitely worth a visit.