Britain's Friendliest
Open-air Museum
Discover a fascinating world when you visit this urban heritage park in the shadow of Dudley Castle at the heart of the Black Country
Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the Museum, to create a tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people that once lived in the heart of industrial Britain.
Electric tramcars and trolleybuses transport visitors back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canal-side village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life with their local knowledge, practical skills and unique Black Country humour.
With 26 acres of living history there is plenty to see and do: (click to explore)
Explore the modern exhibition halls
Travel on a tramcar
Experience the underground coalmine
Ride on the fairground swingboats
Take a lesson in the old-fashioned school
Meet the characters in the shops and houses
Visit the horses
Watch the demonstrations of metal-working, sweet-making and glass-cutting
See a silent film in the 1920s Cinema
Enjoy a pint in the Bottle and Glass Inn
Sample the traditional fish and chips from the 1930's Fried Fish Shop
or just soak up the atmosphere.
Museum Boss to Retire After 33 Years at Helm
After more than 33 years as Museum Director and Chief Executive of the Black Country Living Museum, Ian N. Walden O.B.E has today announced his decision to retire at the end of July, 2009.
Ian joined the Museum on the 1st October 1975 and since then has worked tirelessly to develop, what was a piece of waste-ground into an award winning visitor attraction with a turnover of £2.4 million per year. He has transformed the Museum from a small venture, attracting 8000 visitors in its first season, into a leading attraction that now employs over 200 local people and attracts more than 270,000 visitors a year.
Ian Walden’s vision has seen the development, brick by brick, of the traditional canalside village with its many shops, houses, workshops, chapel, cinema, public houses, traditional school, canal heritage and underground coal mine. He has been a pioneering force for the Museum’s new £10 Million ‘Streets Ahead’ development which will virtually double the Museum in size.
John Hughes, Chairman of the Black Country Living Museum Trust Ltd said: “Since his appointment as Museum Director in 1975, Ian Walden has led the development of the Black Country Living Museum from a 26 acre derelict site to the recognised historical centre of excellence and leading visitor attraction. We shall all be very sorry to see Ian retire in July and wish him well. The task now is to find a worthy successor to take over leadership of our most successful team at BCLM"
Ian N. Walden said: "I will miss the Museum and all the staff a great deal. It has been a huge part of my life for such a long time but it is now time for me to open a new chapter in my life. I am leaving behind a very capable team who will steer the museum into Phase 2 of the new development programme and what I predict will be a very promising future.”