FROM museums and churches to iconic attractions that help shape the national identity of towns and cities, for the next nine days, more than 5,000 places are opening their doors to the public for free, including several in Dudley.
From today (September 12) until Sunday, September 21, England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days, will be giving people the chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences that champion our heritage completely free of charge.
Ran by the National Trust, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and powered by thousands of local organisations and volunteers, the festival invites everyone to explore and connect with their local area.
This year sees the biggest programme yet in the festival’s 31-year history, with more than 5,800 events - including a wide range of places that usually charge entry fees, free sites that put on extra special events for the festival, and access to many places that aren't usually open to the public.
So, where in the Dudley Borough can you enjoy a fascinating day out, without having to reach into your pocket?
Stourbridge Glass Museum
High Street, Wordsley, DY8 4FB
In celebration of Heritage Open Days, entry to the Museum will be free for all visitors on Saturday, September 13.
Explore the stunning collection of historic and contemporary glass, watch live glassmaking and enjoy the opportunity to meet and talk with Graham Fisher MBE himself.
Whether you're a local history enthusiast, a glass art lover, or simply curious to learn more about this unique cultural institution, this is a wonderful chance to discover the story behind one of the Black Country’s most significant heritage sites.
At 2pm, Graham will share the fascinating story behind the creation of the Museum, offering personal insights into its development and the people who made it possible.
Pre booking is not required for this activity.
Stourbridge Quaker Meeting House
Scotts Road, Stourbridge, DY8 1UR
The Stourbridge Quaker Meeting House, built in 1689 is one of the oldest buildings in Stourbridge and was purpose built on a plot of land Quakers paid 300 Pepper Corns for.
Visitors will be shown round on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 2, being told about the history of the Grade II-listed building, its architecture and how Stourbridge is linked to many places across the world, ranging from Uganda to Russia, Nepal and the Americas, through the concerns and activities of its members.
Pre booking s not required for this event.
St Peter’s Church, Kinver
Church Hill, Kinver, DY7 6HX
With an early Norman beam roof 15 metres high, a stained glass lantern over the font and a spiral staircase now going nowhere, the beautiful church has many unique historic features to explore.
The 800-year-old church will be open to visitors every day from Friday, September 12 until Sunday, September 21, open 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 4pm until 5pm on Sundays.
Pre booking is not required for this event.
The Red House Glass Cone
High Street, Wordsley, DY8 4AZ
The iconic attraction will be offering guided restoration tours, offering visitors the opportunity to learn how the structure was lovingly restored between 2023 and 2025, using careful craftsmanship and specialist techniques to repair and protect the Cone’s historic fabric.
Tours will be taking place on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14 form 11.30am until 2pm.
Pre booking is not required for this event.
St Peter’s Church, Pedmore
Pedmore Lane, Stourbridge, DY9 0SW
St Peter's Pedmore was rebuilt in 1869, but there are architectural features from the 1250 church that stood before on the same land.
The church and churchyard will be open to visitors on Sunday, September 14, with a forest church for children at 3pm.
Pre booking is not required for this event.
Dudley Castle
The Broadway, Dudley, DY1 3AS
The 11th century castle in the heart of Dudley Zoo will be opening its doors to history enthusiasts from near and far on Thursday, September 18 and Friday, September 19 from 5pm until 7pm.
Pre booking is required for these events and can be found on the Dudley Zoo and Castle website.
St Edmund, King & Martyr
Castle Street, Dudley, DY1 1LQ
The church is over 1,000 years old and was partly destroyed in the civil war, bursting with history and cultures.
The church will be open to explore on Saturday, September 13 from 11am until 2pm.
Pre booking is not required for this event.
Top Church, Dudley
High Street, Dudley, DY1 1QD
Top Church is known for its amazing architecture and intricate design.
Through an informative poster display, visitors can discover how its striking features reflect the rich cultural and historical backdrop of the community.
Kids can embark on an engaging trail to uncover secrets of the building while enjoying fun facts and clues along the way, as well as a LEGO architecture challenge.
The church will be open from Saturday, September 13 from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.
Pre booking s not required for this event.
Dudley 2 Canal (Black Country Boating Festival)
Bumble Hole Nature Reserve, Windmill End, Dudley, DY2 9HS
A guided walk along the Dudley 2 canal will celebrate the launch of a new trail map of this section of the canal, containing artwork of key points along the canal by West Midlands Heritage Trustee Philip Adams.
Phillip will accompany the group and explore how he created the images.
The walk will begin at 3pm at the site of the Black Country Boating Festival, and participants will be transported to the start of the walk via minibus. The walk will terminate back at the Festival.
During the day the West Midlands Heritage Team will be at Black Country Boating Festival on Saturday, September 13.
Pre booking is required for this event and can be found on the West Midlands Heritage website.
Weddings through the years at St Peter’s Church, Cradley
Church Road, Cradley, B63 2UL
View wedding dresses from the last 100 years, trace your Cradley ancestors with experts, see a Black Country Blacksmith in action making chain and climb the tower to learn about the bells as the church opens its doors to visitors on Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14.
At 2.30pm on the Saturday, there will be a free concert with Victoria Barlow playing favourite wedding music on organ and piano. A live video feed of Victoria at the organ console will be projected onto a big screen.
Please note the tower tours and the blacksmith demonstration are only available on the Saturday.
Pre booking is not required to enter the church but it is required for the tower tours on the day of arrival.
As well as all of these incredible in person events, there are a number of virtual tours available of some historic places across the borough, including the Town Hall, the Coroner’s Court, the Council House, the borough’s old police buildings, Priory House, Dudley Central Mosque (former St Edmund’s School) and the old Dudley Police Station – information about these can be found on the Heritage Open Days website.
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