Black Country Living Museum

About the museum

Black Country Living Museum grew out of concern in the 1960s that the industrial heritage of the Black Country, the area west of Birmingham, was disappearing as mines closed, canals fell out of use and factories shut. An exhibition about the region held in Dudley in 1967 drew strong support, and the Black Country Society that formed afterwards developed the idea of an open-air museum.

A site on Tipton Road, next to a canal arm, was secured and the land was reclaimed. A preview season was held in 1978, and a tramway to carry visitors to the canal arm was added in 1980. Historic buildings from across the region were taken down and rebuilt on the site, and the underground mining display opened in 1990. A large development from 2010 created a 1930s high street.

The most recent project, Forging Ahead, has moved the story forward to the 1940s, 50s and 60s. It added a new Visitor Centre, a row of post-war shops, an industrial quarter, an infant welfare centre and the rebuilt Woodside Library, which opened in 2026. The museum now covers about 29 acres, where costumed historic characters, working industrial trades and vintage transport bring the region's past to life. It is a registered charity.

Highlights

• Rebuilt Black Country town with more than 80 shops, houses and workshops
• Historic characters and live demonstrations in period settings
• 1940s to 1960s high street with Woodside Library
• Racecourse Colliery and Mine Gas Show
• Canalside village, vintage buses and fairground
• Filming location of Peaky Blinders

Permanent exhibitions

• Black Country town – More than 80 rebuilt or recreated shops, houses and industrial workshops covering over 250 years of life in the Black Country.
• 1940s to 1960s high street – A post-war street with shops, a pub, an infant welfare centre, an industrial quarter and the rebuilt Woodside Library.
• Racecourse Colliery – A recreated colliery with a drift mine telling the story of an 1850s coal miner; the underground part is currently closed and replaced by guided tours and a Mine Gas Show.

Founded

1975

Operated by

Black Country Living Museum Trust

Admission & discounts

Advance online prices are listed (lowest); prices on the day are higher. Every day ticket includes an UnChained Annual Pass with 12 months of free daytime returns for the original visiting party. Members and pass holders do not need to pre-book. Special evening events are ticketed separately.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The 29-acre site has some inclines and uneven surfaces, and many shop entrances have steps, with portable ramps available for many buildings. There is no lift to the first floor of the Cast Iron Houses, but a 3D visual of the bedrooms is shown on request; one pub has a lift. A Changing Places toilet (Radar key) is at the Brook Entrance and accessible toilets are in the Visitor Centre, the Workers' Institute Café and the Elephant & Castle. Free manual wheelchairs can be booked in advance, and a vintage accessibility vehicle with a tail lift can be requested. There are 15 disabled parking bays in the main car park and 16 in the overflow car park. Induction loops are in the Visitor Centre café and shop. Monthly Access Tours are led with a British Sign Language interpreter. Assistance dogs are welcome everywhere. An AccessAble access guide is available.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Playground / play area

School holiday themed trails and activities are included in admission, along with an Edwardian school lesson, old-fashioned street games, a vintage fairground and the Folkes Park playground. Children's scooters are not allowed on site. Under-3s are free.

Getting there & parking

Situated on the A4037 Tipton Road between Dudley and Tipton, signposted from the M5 and M6. Cycle racks are in both car parks, and free 48-hour canal moorings next to the museum are run by Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop

Café Black Country in the Visitor Centre, Workers' Institute Café, a fish and chip shop, a pork pie and cob shop, two pubs and a bakery; picnics are allowed in marked areas. Museum gift shop plus themed period shops.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Historic buildings and spaces can be hired for weddings, proms, private parties, filming and events.

Plan your visit