Industrial Heritage Of The Black Country

Further to the success of our James Watt tour in 2019, we have commissioned a new tour to be led by Dr Malcolm Dick, an expert in the history of the Industrial Revolution in the Midlands. This fascinating new tour, which also features a talk from the Antique Roadshow’s Paul Atterbury, looks at the industrial and transport history of the Black Country region at a critical time in England’s economic and social development.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive independently at the Ramada Resort Park Hall Wolverhampton, from 15.00. This evening there will be a welcome reception, dinner with wine and a talk by Dr Malcolm Dick, “The emergence of the Black Country in the Industrial Revolution.’

Day 2 Stourbridge Red Cone Glass House Museum, Leather Museum Walsall and Bantock House Museum, Wolverhampton
A varied day looks at different aspects of the Industrial Revolution as we head first to Stourbridge, the centre of the glass industry and visit the impressive Red House Glass Cone, built at the end of the 18^th century and operational until 1936  to see how glass was made and its role in the industrial might of the country. After lunch (included) we visit the fascinating Leather Museum in Walsall, which looks at the history of the leather industry and where some of the world’s best saddles and leather goods have been made for more than 200 years. Our final visit is to the Bantock House Museum in Wolverhampton that was home in the late 19^th century to Thomas Bantock, a successful railway and canal agent. This evening enjoy a talk from Paul Atterbury: ‘At the Heart of Industry: the canals of Birmingham and the Black Country’ and dinner at the hotel.

Day 3 Black Country Living Museum and Canal Cruise
Most of the day is allocated to the superb Black Country Living Museum, an immersive award-winning open-air museum that tells the story of one of the very first industrialised landscapes in Britain. Set across 26 acres, you'll explore over forty carefully reconstructed shops, houses and industrial areas that represent the Black Country's story. It tells the story of how steam power, human ingenuity and an increasingly connected world transformed the region into a manufacturing powerhouse. Here, history is brought to life before your eyes – and you'll hear the clang of hammers and smell the smoke billowing from red brick chimneys. The museum may well be familiar to you as the setting for a host of TV series and films, including Peaky Blinders, Stan & Ollie and the Antiques Roadshow. A canal cruise from the Dudley Canal Trust into the abandoned limestone mines and tunnels completes the day’s journey into our industrial past.  Return to the hotel for approximately 17.30.

NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion

Please note: Post tour extra nights are available at a supplement.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 48 passengers. 

INCLUDED

• Two nights’ bed and breakfast at the four-star Ramada Park Hall, Wolverhampton, based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
•  Welcome reception
• Three-course dinner with wine
• Second dinner in the hotel restaurant
• One light lunch
• All talks, guided tours and admissions
• Coach touring itinerary and tour manager throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Transport to the hotel is not included
• Double for Sole Use supplement
• Extra nights on half board basis
• Holiday insurance
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTEL

Ramada Park Hall, Wolverhampton

Set in a Grade II listed mansion the four-star Ramada Park Hall Wolverhampton merges traditional style with modern comforts.  Faciltieis include a health club and spa with indoor pool, bar, restaurant and well-appointed bedrooms with all modern amenities.  Parking: complimentary.

Hotel Website

MORE INFO 

Please note that all our UK tours start and finish at the relevant hotel.  

You can normally check in from 3pm onwards but hotels will always be happy to store your luggage if you arrive earlier in the day. 

For full details of how to get to the hotel, directions and the nearest train station, please click on the hotel website or call our office for details. These will also be sent automatically with your confirmation. 

The welcome reception and first evening dinner / talk will commence at about 7pm - full details will be sent with your joining instructions about 10 days prior to the arrival date.