Black Country Living Museum- worth a visit?

[keithjones]

In doing my genealogy, I've found a branch of the family from the Kingswinford/Dudley/Brierley Hill area.  When I googled info on the area, I stumbled on this: 
https://www.bclm.co.uk

Has anyone gone there and is it worth a visit?

[Madasasteamfish]

I went a fair few years ago and is a decent day out if you're in the area and have an interest in social history. There are a fair few open air museums like this spread throughout the UK and they're worth visiting if you're into that sort of thing (increasingly they're used by schools and parents who want an 'educational' day out for their kids that doesn't involve dragging them round a museum or gallery).

If I remember rightly it's not too far from Ironbridge gorge which has a very nice (and similar) attraction in the form of Blist's Hill 'Victorian town'.

[Aubreay Fallowfield]

I live just round the corner and would recommend their "red by night" events when they open up between 7. 30 pm and 10.30.  They light everything up and have everything working including the forge. Just don't expect a short queue at the fish and chip shop

[keithjones]

Thanks to all for the info. I've been to living history sites that range from " I want my money & time back!" to "I can't wait to go back", so when I get to the U.K. this will definitely be on my must-see list. 

[Aubreay Fallowfield]

When you get here give us a shout if you're free

[Kevin C Cooper Esq]

When you get here give us a shout if you're free

Seconded, we're also in the vicinity.

[keithjones]

When you get here give us a shout if you're free

Seconded, we're also in the vicinity.

All,

I certainly will contact you when I'm in the area!  In looking at 19th century accounts of the Black Country, I'm struck by how much it and the Lehigh Valley, PA, (where I grew up) have in common (canals, mining, iron & steel industry).  "Black by day, red by night" could have been the motto of Bethlehem, PA, until Bethlehem Steel went under.

[Flightless Phoenix]

I haven't been to BCLM for about a decade, but several of my friends and colleagues that drive have taken jobs there over closer museums in the last couple of years, and seem to love the place so I'd say that's a big thumbs up! From what I hear they make a big effort to keep things authentic- for instance the shops don't have modern tills which would look out of place.

I hope you enjoy your visit to the UK =]

[Miranda.T]

Thanks to all for the info. I've been to living history sites that range from " I want my money & time back!" to "I can't wait to go back", so when I get to the U.K. this will definitely be on my must-see list. 

'Red by Night' is great but just once a year - if that did not fit with your timings there are many other events thoughout the year, so it's worth keeping an eye on http://www.bclm.co.uk/. Once in the area, you might also wish to have a look at the Dudley Canal Trust http://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/, Red House Glass Cone http://www.dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/museums/red-house-glass-cone/, the Stourbridge Bonded Warehouse http://www.thebondedwarehousestourbridge.co.uk/ and possibly Avoncroft Museum http://www.avoncroft.org.uk/.

Yours,
Miranda.

P.S. no, I'm not on a retainer from West Midlands tourist authority 

[keithjones]

Thanks to all for the info. I've been to living history sites that range from " I want my money & time back!" to "I can't wait to go back", so when I get to the U.K. this will definitely be on my must-see list. 

'Red by Night' is great but just once a year - if that did not fit with your timings there are many other events thoughout the year, so it's worth keeping an eye on http://www.bclm.co.uk/. Once in the area, you might also wish to have a look at the Dudley Canal Trust http://dudleycanaltrust.org.uk/, Red House Glass Cone http://www.dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/museums/red-house-glass-cone/, the Stourbridge Bonded Warehouse http://www.thebondedwarehousestourbridge.co.uk/ and possibly Avoncroft Museumhttp://www.avoncroft.org.uk/.

Yours,
Miranda.

Hmm, looks like an extended stay in the Western Midlands is in order!
YOS

P.S. no, I'm not on a retainer from West Midlands tourist authority 

[Major Wolfram Quicksilver]

Well worth it, if only for the chips cooked in beef dripping. Food of the Gods!

[Miranda.T]

Well worth it, if only for the chips cooked in beef dripping. Food of the Gods!

Seconded!

Yours,
Miranda.

[Aubreay Fallowfield]

Well worth it, if only for the chips cooked in beef dripping. Food of the Gods!

Thankfully they don't do Bacon and grey peas (Baycon n Gray Pays)

[Miranda.T]

I'm hoping, now that it seems Blists Hill is having a dedicated Steampunk event, that BCLM will follow suit.

Yours,
Miranda.

[Aubreay Fallowfield]

I doubt it they're too busy cashing in on Peaky Blinders

[Kevin C Cooper Esq]

Well worth it, if only for the chips cooked in beef dripping. Food of the Gods!

Thankfully they don't do Bacon and grey peas (Baycon n Gray Pays)

It ay baycon it's bearcon!

[Madam Takara]

I'm actually a volunteer there, it's a nice place if you're looking into local history, especially if you catch it on it's quieter days. Most of the staff and volunteers are really friendly and knowledgeable

Also a bunch of the West Midlands Steampunk Assembly hang out near Dudley. You could always say hello while you're down here!

[Miranda.T]

I doubt it they're too busy cashing in on Peaky Blinders

I see what you mean We've just had an e-mail from them and it seems that they have tickets for this year's events on sale already, going all the way though to Halloween, and some of the Peaky Blinders nights (in September) are already fully booked...

Yours,
Miranda.

[Aubreay Fallowfield]

I've got my ticket for Red by night already. There's going to be a few of us turning up

[keithjones]

This is probably off topic; if so please reply by PM.  Any recommendations on where to stay (or avoid) while visiting the Black Country Museum?  My wife & I have an upcoming visit planned for the Dudley/Kingswinford area.

[Miranda.T]

This is probably off topic; if so please reply by PM.  Any recommendations on where to stay (or avoid) while visiting the Black Country Museum?  My wife & I have an upcoming visit planned for the Dudley/Kingswinford area.

Not so much about where to stay (we live here so of course we never have to consider that  ) but there are lots of Steampunk events happening in and around the West Midlands this year; if you can give an indication of when you will be visiting I could post a link to any get-together at that time.

Yours,
Miranda.