Black Country Living Museum

Black Country Living Museum

Exploration of life in an 1850s iron-working town, with a coal seam, forge, steam engine and shops. See history brought to life and discover the story of the Black Country at our open-air living museum. Meet our historic characters who’ll show you what it was like to live and work in one of the first industrialised landscapes in Britain as you explore 26 acres of reconstructed shops, pubs and houses.

There’s plenty for all the family to see and do here. From watching live demonstrations, taking part in old fashioned street games, to visiting our vintage cinema and enjoying our traditional fish and chips, there’s something for everyone at Black Country Living Museum.

Try your hand at a new heritage skill with this hands-on blacksmithing session, under the specialist guidance of our heritage demonstrator. Set in the atmospheric Edwardian house and lockmaking workshop of the Hodson family – experience life in one of the many family businesses that helped to make Willenhall the heart of lockmaking in the Industrial Revolution. Our Locksmith will introduce you to the forge, some basic forging tools and how they are used. Experience lockmaking and learn how to forge a point, a flat and a bend into a piece of metal – some of the key elements to forging a padlock. Enjoy some light refreshments as we serve up lunch and, as a souvenir of your session, take home a bar from a bar padlock and nails.

VVIP Guide CWG Birmingham  © Simon Monika Newbound 2022 All Rights Reserved