Coach firm to launch Black Country holidays

A national coach company is launching package holidays for tourists from across the land to check out the delights of the Black Country – from faggots and paes to trips along the canals.

Dunwood Travel is laying on 24 coaches – each carrying between 49 and 51 passengers – from as far a field as London, Scotland, Devon and Cornwall, the east coast and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The trips will begin in April next year and run through until November.

The 1,200 holiday-makers will stay at the Station Hotel in Castle Hill, Dudley, opposite Dudley Zoo, where they will enjoy a carvery meal, with a "faggots and paes" option, a Black Country comedian and visit to the Black Country Living Museum.

There will also be trips out to other local attractions, which could include Walsall's arboretum and leather museum, Dudley's Merry Hill shopping centre, Stourport and Bridgnorth.

Eight of the £79-a-head two-day trips – on Sundays and Mondays – have already sold out and staff from Dunwood Travel aim to fill more of the coaches when they dress up in Black Country garb to promote the trip at a group leisure and travel show at the NEC later this month.

"We carry 40,000 people a year on UK based holidays and traditionally they have been to seaside places but city breaks are becoming more popular," said Colin Duncan, aged 50, who co-founded Dunwood Travel.

"And Dudley, although it is not a city, has a theme to offer of years gone by."