Heart of England What's On

Top ten activities at BCLM

You don’t need to imagine how the past looked, smelled, or tasted; you can experience it for yourself here at the Museum. 

Your ticket includes so much more than just exploring the Museum’s buildings and gardens. You can take part in ten live demonstrations, tours, and immersive activities that will transport you directly back in time.

And what's better, purchase a full-priced general admission ticket and unlock unlimited daytime visits for an entire year! 

1. Go down the mine

You’ve probably heard about the challenges of working down the mines: long shifts in darkness, the physical strain, the danger. But would you be brave enough to see what it was really like?  See it for yourself as you head down into the drift mine. Follow one of our miners into the thick and discover the realities of life underground.  

2. Witness the satisfying craft of brick making

Brickworks were at the heart of the Black Country’s industry throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Watch a live demonstration at Cricket Field Brickworks and learn about the key role women played in the trade.  

3. Av' a peek at aluminium casting

Founded in 1917 and still going strong, J.H. Lavender is a West Bromwich die-casting foundry. See aluminium casting in action during our live demonstrations.

Learn about the industrial history of the late 1950s and 1960s and hear stories of migration from across the Commonwealth, as workers made new lives in the Black Country and helped shape its industries and communities.

4. Attend a 1960s mothercraft class

Pop in to Lea Road Infant Welfare Centre and you'll be stepping into the 1960s, to learn all about the skills you need as a new parent to take care of baby in our mothercraft classes. The dispensary holds all kinds of helpful things too - who remembers concentrated orange juice?

5. Do The Workers' Institute tour

The Workers’ Institute tells the story of the women chainmakers of Cradley Heath, who in 1910 went on strike for a living wage. Join a guided tour and learn about their struggle and success in the fight for workers’ rights.  

6. Attend an Edwardian school lesson

Take a seat at St James’s School and go through the “three Rs” of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Think you’d make it through a 1910s school day? Corporal punishment was common; even a little dirt in your hands might earn you the cane!

7. Watch a 1920s silent film

Sit back and get ready for a 1920s silent movie screening featuring classics like Laurel and Hardy or Charlie Chaplin. All you needed back then was tuppence-ha’penny for the benches or 5p for the luxurious seats at the back – for you, it’s all included in your ticket – all you need to bring is your sweets!

8. See the nailmaker in action!

Av' a peek at the nailmakers at work in their workshop. Nailmaking is one of the Black Country’s oldest trades. Dudley was already famous for its nails back in the 1500s. Come and see how they were made by hand.  

9. Witness the old ways of chain making 

The making of heavy chains and cables in the Black Country has been a symbol of the region’s identity for a long time. See the chain maker at work and witness the entire process of this traditional craft with your own eyes. Learn about the working conditions of Black Country folk in the industry, and discover the story of the female chain makers’ strike. Careful with the sparks!  

10. Join the Boat Dock walking tour

Explore our reconstructed Boat Dock and discover the skill and resourcefulness of traditional boatbuilding. The buildings here are made from recycled boat timbers – a real nod to the ingenuity of the past. Learn about life on the canals and how they powered the Black Country’s industrial success. 

To find out more go to www.bclm.com