The Manor House
Hall Green Road, West Bromwich

This Grade1 listed building is a complete and original medieval Manor House complex with a moat and parkland. The site is regarded as one of the best of its type in the country and it is believed that the moat dates from the time of the original Great Hall, circa 1300, which was once the central focus of this medieval house and now, appropriately, a pub and restaurant.

Tel: 0121 588 2035

Oak House is a delightful half-timbered yeoman farmer's house dating from the late 16th century. It is furnished with a fine collection of Tudor and Jacobean furniture, as well as replica items that visitors are encouraged to handle. The house was the family home of the Turton family from the early 1600's, and was given to the town of West Bromwich by the first Mayor, Alderman Reuben Farley, in 1894. There is a lively programme of events and educational activities all year round, and tours are available. The house is surrounded by well-kept and peaceful grounds.

Oak House is open to the public throughout the year from 10am to 5pm Tuesday - Friday. It also opens on Sunday 2 -5pm from April to September. Admission is free, although there is a small charge for educational visits, tours, and some events.

Tel: 0121 553 0759

Sandwell Valley Country Park
Salter Lane, West Bromwich

The Sandwell Valley Country Park and Park Farm covers 2,000 acres of woods, lakes, farms and recreational land with spectacular views. The Country Park contains the ruins of a 12th Century Benedictine Priory which was founded near to the spring of Sandwell, which give its name to the present borough.

The Country Park contains a rare breed farm and modern dairy farm where visitors can watch the milking. It has acres of woodland, nature reserves, lakes and parks for walking, cycling and being in touch with nature.

The Country Park staff provide guided walks and educational visits throughout the year. The valley is also the venue for most of Sandwell Borough’s major events, including the Sandwell Show and historical vehicle show.

Tel: 0121 553 2147 
Web: www.sandwellvalley.com

West Bromwich Albion FC.
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, B71 4LF

West Bromwich Albion, nicknamed the 'Baggies', have a proud tradition as befitting one of the founder members of the Football League; including League Champions in 1920 and FA Cup winners five times. Albion have played at The Hawthorns since 1900, which is the highest ground above sea level in the UK.

Tel: 08700 66 8888  
Web: www.wba.co.uk

Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre
Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick

The Galton Valley offers visitors fine examples of industrial architecture including the Galton Bridge, constructed by Telford in 1829 as the longest single span bridge in the world. It also contains the Smethwick Pumping Station with its mighty steam engine and pump that kept the waterways flowing.

The Valley also includes many historic locks, aqueducts, bridges and other canal features and the Heritage Centre is open from 10.00am to 3.00pm Sunday to Thursday with free admission.

Staff are available to give guided walks, talks and National Curriculum activity sessions. The area's wildlife also makes it an ideal venue for Environmental Education.

Tel: 0121 558 8195

Situated in Victoria Park, the Lodge was opened as a Heritage Centre in 2003 by the Smethwick Heritage Centre Trust. Since its opening the Centre has received full Accreditation from the Museums, Libraries & Archives Council. On display are examples of products manufactured in Smethwick by many of it’s famous companies which have now closed. Also displayed are various tems from numerous Smethwick Schools, Churches, Sporting and Leisure organisations and other aspects of past Smethwick
life, together with many photographs of Old Smethwick.

The Centre is open March to December, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am - 3pm and admission is free.

Telephone: 0121 555 7278
Web: /www.smethwick-heritage.co.uk

Warley Woods is 100 acres in size and is comprised of a meadow, large woodlands and a public golf course Warley Woods is listed as a grade II on the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

Web: www.warleywoods.org.uk

This superb Victorian building is home to the Richards Collection of nineteenth century English and Dutch masters and the world-class Ruskin pottery collection.

John Ruskin was a famous Victorian artist and writer and this much prized pottery was produced in Smethwick. It is admired by collectors around the world for its distinctive mottled lustre.

Permanent exhibitions include the world famous Ruskin pottery, old toys and games, Victorian paintings, and a local history gallery. There is also a varied programme of temporary exhibitions which include work by local artists and national touring exhibitions.

The family room and toy gallery also has toys and activites for families to play and interact with and is guaranteed to make all the adults say 'I had one of those!'

There are activities and events throughout school holidays and throughout the year.

Tel: 0121 556 0683  
Web: Wednesbury Art Gallery & Museum

Haden Hill House is a Victorian Gentleman's residence, furnished in period style, surrounded by 55 acres of beautiful parkland and licensed for civil weddings.

Talks, tours and Victorian Living History Sessions are available for schools and there is a regularly changing exhibition programme. Holiday and weekend workshops and events are held throughout the year.

There is ample car parking. Disabled access to the first floor is by a lift.

Tel: 01384 569444

An eighteenth century cottage which was the boyhood home of Francis Asbury, the first American Methodist Bishop. Furnished in period style, and with memorabilia and information relating to Asbury's life both in West Bromwich and in America. Also information relating to the rise of Methodism in the Black Country, and links to John Wesley's life and times, and visits to the local area.

The cottage is believed to date from the early 18th century. It is a simple artisans dwelling, constructed of brick, tile and timber. When built, it was part of a short terrace, but the other cottages were demolished to make way for the widening of the Newton Road.

The cottage is very small, and has no visitor facilities. Parking is limited to the Malt Shovel public house next door. Access to the cottage is up a flight of steep steps into the garden. There is no disabled access at present.

Visits are by appointment only.

For further information contact The Oak House on 0121 553 0759