Outdoors and Attractions

Please note: The details on this page are correct at the time of publishing. The Museum reserves the right to vary the programme of activities and special events - so we would encourage you to check details before travelling.

For more information, telephone 0121-557-9643 or visit the website: www.bclm.co.uk. Address: Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4SQ

Various characters at the museum

Prices: All daytime activities are included in the admission charge unless otherwise stated. There are special admission charges for evening events.

RECURRING EVENTS

Historic vehicles

On the first Saturday of every month between March and October historic vehicles from the Marston collection will take a spin of the Museum's circuit. Motoring marvels from the early 1900s up to the 1930s take centre stage and these rare gems are
sure to be the torque of the town! The Marston group are often on site carrying out vital restoration work.

Colliery steam winder

It's full steam ahead on every 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month from the 1st March to December inclusive when the colliery steam winder and fan engine are in steam. 

Gas engines

It's a Gas! On the first Saturday of every month volunteers bring the gas engines to life in the Cinema Power House and the Trap Shop. Visitors can learn how they work and hear the belt driven machinery hum into life.

Bobbys

Electric powered buses

Each Sunday at the Black Country Living Museum the Transport Group will be going 'off their trolley' over the electric powered buses. Visitors can hop aboard the 'Whispering Giants' for an environmentally-friendly trip down memory lane.

Replica of the world's first steam engine

Every 3rd weekend the Newcomen Engine billows to life from February to November inclusive. The only full sized working replica of the world's first steam engine can be seen in action on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd June, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July, Saturday 16th an Sunday 17th August, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st September, Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th November.
Due to the unpredictable nature of the Newcomen please check running details with the Museum prior to travelling to avoid disappointment.

EVENTS BY MONTH

JUNE 2008

Father's Day - Sunday 15th June

Celebrate Father's Day at the Black Country Living Museum where dad's of all ages can enjoy a day to remember. Father's come in free when accompanied by a paying child.

Policeman and a horse and cart

Trolley 21 - Saturday 7th June - Sunday 22nd June

Trolley buses from all over the world gather at the Black Country Living Museum to celebrate the 21st anniversary of the trolley bus service at the Museum.

Steam Weekend - Saturday 21st June and Sunday 22nd June

The Museum celebrates steam power in its widest sense with a range of different steam engines around the site. Large traction engines to miniature Mammod models, will be in action around the Museum. The colliery steam winder and fan engine will be in operation and it's full steam ahead when the only full sized working replica of the world's first Newcomen steam engine billows into life. Enthusiasts will enjoy watching the model steam engines and traction engines. This rare event is a must for enthusiasts and the public alike. President, the Museums steam powered canal boat will be in steam.

JULY 2008

1920s Night with Jazz - Saturday 12th July 

An evening of jazz music in and around the Museum's canalside village. Gates open at 6.00pm and close at 10.00pm. This is a pre-book only event and tickets can be booked on 0121 520 8054. 

Sunday School Anniversary - Sunday 13th July - 11.00 am and 2.30pm

Friends of the Museum throw open the doors to the 1837 Darby Hand Chapel and invite visitors to join them as they re-enact a traditional Sunday School Anniversary Service. Children in traditional costume head a procession along the village street to
the Chapel where they will lead the congregation in hymns. Services take place at 11am and 2.30pm; the afternoon service will, in keeping with tradition, be presided over by a woman. (Limited seat availability)*

School Holiday Activities - Saturday 19th July - Monday 1st September

Youngsters are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment over the school holidays. Visitors can re-live their youth and show their children and grandchildren how it's done as they hop, skip and jump back in time to the Museum's period
village. The young and the young at heart can roll hoops along the cobbled street, play hopscotch on the pavement and test their skill with whip and top and skittles. A variety of parlour games are played in Station Road cottages and craft-making
projects, including writing with old fashioned pen and ink and paper crafts take place in the old-fashioned school-room. 

Boaters at the museum

Black Country Vehicle Rally - Sunday 27th July

This annual gathering of cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles built in the Black Country sees over one hundred vehicles parade around the Museum site. Well-known marques may include AJS, Bean, Star, Sunbeam and Jensen. The Black Country was a
major centre for vehicle manufacturing with cycles, motorcycles, cars, lorries and buses all built in the region.

AUGUST 2008

Bank Holiday Activities - Monday 25th August and Tuesday 26th August

Visitors can enjoy a day out to a Museum and theatre rolled into one as Fizzog Theatre Company add a touch of drama to the Museum's streets when they perform a social play set in the Black Country. Children can hop, skip and jump back in time to
the Museum's period village where the young and the young at heart can roll hoops along the cobbled street, play hopscotch on the pavement and test their skill with whip and top and skittles. A variety of parlour games are played in Station Road
cottages and craft-making projects, including writing with old fashioned pen and ink and paper crafts take place in the old-fashioned school-room. 

SEPTEMBER 2008

Heritage Open Day - Friday 12th, Sunday 14th September

Discover hidden gems behind the scenes of the Museum when it opens its stores to the public as part of the Heritage Open Days Programme 2008. Rare and unusual objects, many never seen before, will be on display and reveal a wealth of Black Country
social and industrial history.

Women Chainmaker's Festival - Saturday 13th September 

The Museum's major Labour History event recalls the fight of the Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers, who in 1910 went on strike for ten weeks and were successful in winning the first ever minimum wage. The TUC organised event, hosted by the Black Country Living Museum, will celebrate the importance of Trade Union History and women at work. The day of entertainment, music and theatre from local performers along with stirring speeches and a famous union supporting group will ensure the legacy of the Cradley Heath Women Chainmakers lives on.

Autumn Living History Weekend - Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th September 

Time travel is on the agenda at the Black Country Living Museum. The Friends of the Museum spend the weekend living in 1920's conditions. Visitors can witness their attempts to cook, clean, eat, sleep, entertain and take part in autumn seasonal activities without the modern luxuries that we take for granted today such as central heating and hot and cold running water.

OCTOBER 2008

World War I Weekend - Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of the end of World War 1, uniformed re-enactors will be staging a Great War recruitment drive in the Museum's traditional village this weekend. 

Harvest Festival - Sunday 5th October

Visitors are invited to join the Friends of the Museum as they bring the 1837 Darby Hand Chapel to life when they re-enact a traditional Harvest Festival Service. The historic chapel, built as Providence Church at Darby Hand in Netherton, Dudley is
decorated with garden produce and traditional harvest festival offerings. The Friends of the Museum recreate this important aspect of Black Country life when they re-enact a traditional Harvest Festival Service. (Limited seat availability)*. Service starts at 2.30pm.

Half Term Halloween Activities - Saturday 25th October - Sunday 2nd November

Visitors can join in the spirit of Halloween and enjoy hair-raising thrills and spine-tingling chills when they listen to ghostly tales of yesteryear.

Halloween Trick or Treat Night - Friday 31st October
PRE-BOOK ONLY ON 0121 520 8054

Trick or treat? Little devils and mini ghosts and ghouls can trick or treat in SAFETY at Britain's 'Most Haunted' Museum. The Museum's eerie gas-lit village is the perfect venue for safe thrills and chills on Halloween. Visitors can take a ghoulish guided walk and listen to tales of yesteryear amidst the The Museum's mysterious guides tell tales of Black Country bumps in the night!

NOVEMBER 2008

Traditional Bonfire Night - Wednesday 5th November
PRE-BOOK ONLY ON 0121-520-8054

The Museum's biggest evening event of the year is its traditional bonfire night with the ADDED SAFETY OF NO FIREWORKS. A family-orientated Bonfire Night celebrates November 5th with roaring bonfires, traditional entertainment, hot roast chestnuts
and a fairground in full swing. The Museum's atmospheric canal-side village will be lit up with candle and gas-light and visitors can enjoy chatting to characters from yesteryear as they step back in time for a memorable taste of the past.

Santa Hunt - Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th Nov, 6th/7th/13th/14th/20th/21st/22nd/23rd/24th Dec
PRE-BOOK ONLY ON 0121-520-8054

The highly popular Santa Hunts are a big hit with children and parents alike. Costumed guides and Christmas clues point the way to Santa's workshop and children embark upon a fun-filled search for Santa, culminating in a surprise gift.

DECEMBER 2008

Traditional Christmas Evenings - Thursday 18th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th December 
PRE-BOOK ONLY ON 0121-520-8054

The Museum's village takes on a festive flavour as cottages and buildings, illuminated by gas and candlelight, give off a distinctly magical glow. Carol singing, street entertainers, stalls, musical entertainment and brass bands infuse the evening with the spirit of Christmas.

Carols by Candlelight - Sunday 21st December

Visitors are invited to join the Friends of the Museum as they bring the 1837 Darby Hand Chapel to life for a traditional candlelit carol service, conjuring up all the atmosphere of Christmas' past. Starting at 2.30pm the service takes place in
the Museum's historic Darby Hand Chapel and includes 5 lessons and 10 carols within the service. (Limited seat availability)*

*Tickets for all chapel events are available in advance by contacting Alan Carter on 01902 670402 (Limited availability). 

More information

For further information please contact the Museum on 0121-557-9643
or visit the website at www.bclm.co.uk. 
Address: Black Country Living Museum, Tipton Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4SQ 

Please note that although details are correct at the time of going to print we would encourage you to check details before travelling to avoid disappointment. The Museum reserves the right to vary the programme of activities and special events.