Dozens of historic sites in Black Country to fling open doors for Heritage Open Days

Established in 1994, Heritage Open Days is England's contribution to the European Heritage Days and has since grown into the country's largest community heritage festival.

To celebrate the country's largest festival of culture and history, dozens of museums and historic properties in the region are throwing open their doors to visitors.

Running from September 6 to 15, it's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences, all of which are completely free to explore.

Some events do require booking through their organisers, with contact information provided online at: heritageopendays.org.uk

Without further ado, here's what's going on in Wolverhampton and the Black Country for Heritage Open Days 2024:

Wolverhampton

Moseley Old Hall

When: Saturday, September 7

Where: Moseley Old Hall Ln, Featherstone, Wolverhampton WV10 7HY

The National Trust site is offering free entry to all for one day only. There will be traditional lawn games to take part in, arts and crafts all weekend and 17th century characters roaming the grounds.

More information can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Wightwick Manor

When: September 14 -15, 11am - 5pm

Where: Wightwick Bank, Wolverhampton WV6 8EE

The manor and gardens will be offering free admission for the weekend with special exhibitions, music, and games.

More information can be found at www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sandwell

Oak House Museum

When: September 8, 11am - 2pm, September 10, 12pm - 2pm

Where: Oak House Museum, 190 Oak Road, West Bromwich, West Midlands, B70 8HJ

The museum will be holding guided tours and a step back in time to the 1600s.

Pre-booking not required.

Bromwich Hall

When: September 14 - 15, 11am - 4pm

Where: Bromwich Hall Museum, West Bromwich Manor House, Hall Green Road, West Bromwich, B71 2EA

Bromwich Hall Museum will be hosting two days of free events including comedy shows, quizzes, crafts, trails and demonstrations by Buckingham's Retinue Living History Group.

Pre-booking not required

Sandwell Archives

When: September 11, 10am - 4pm

Where: Smethwick Library, 100 High St, Smethwick B66 1AA

Sandwell Archives are throwing their doors open for a day full of discovery, demonstrations and activities.

Booking not required.

Walsall

Aldridge Transport Museum

When: September 14 - 15, 10.30am - 4.30pm

Where: Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Shenstone Drive, Aldridge, West Midlands, WS9 8TP

Visitors to the transport museum can climb aboard the buses which may even be running short trips around Aldridge.

Pre-booking not required.

St Matthew's Church

When: September 6, 6pm - 9pm, September 7, 10am - 4pm

Where: St Matthew's Church, St Matthew's Cl, Walsall WS1 3DG

Visit the church for a tour around the grounds. There will also be a concert on Saturday evening at 7pm.

Dudley

Dudley Zoo and Castle

When: September 12 - 13, 5pm - 7.30pm

Where: Discovery Way, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 4AL

Visitors will get free admission to the 11th century castle in Dudley Zoo. Access will include the Castle Courtyard, Castle Keep, Undercroft and Castle Visitor Centre (Castle Creatures).

Pre-booking is required at dudleyzoo.org.uk.

Stourbridge Glass Museum

When: September 14, 10.30am - 4.30pm

Where: Stourbridge Glass Museum, Stuart Works, High Street, Wordsley, West Midlands, DY8 4FB

A live auction will be hosted by Simon Cottle, Chair of the Glass Society, as well as live glass making.

Pre-booking is not required.

Kinver Edge & the Rock Houses

When: September 6, 7, 9, 12, 13

Where: Holy Austin Rock House, Compton Road, Kinver, Stourbridge, Staffordshire, DY7 6DL

Visit the quirky and unique Rock Houses with tales around the fire and walks through the wilderness.

Pre-booking not required.

Stafford

Stafford Railway Station

When: September 11 from 6.30pm

Where: Stafford Railway Station, Station Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST16 2AA

The station will host an illustrated, engaging talk on the history of railway art poster advertising to explore social and technological development over 180 years. The talk will feature artwork from a glittering array of artists and poster designers.

Pre-booking is required at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-history-of-rail-travel-poster-art-tickets-980264667007

All Saints’ Church Sandon

When: September 14, 10am - 4.30pm

Where: All Saints Church, Church Lane, Sandon, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0DB

A family friendly ‘Walk Through History’ - a unique behind the scenes tour of the Grade 1 listed church building and ancient graveyard (self-guided or with a volunteer guide), will take visitors from Norman origins to the present day.

Pre-booking not applicable.

Museum Stores

When: September 10

Where: Museum Stores, Beacon Business Park, Weston Road, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST18 0WL

Go behind the scenes and discover the treasures in the museum stores.

Families (and the young at heart) can pick up a mini trail sheet to help you explore, get hands-on with object handling and make a badge to take home.

Pre-booking is required. Visit eventbrite.co.uk/o/staffordshire-archives-and-heritage-service-44717948693

Shugborough Estate

When: September 13 -14, 9am - 5pm

Where: Shugborough Estate, Shugborough, Stafford, Staffordshire, ST17 0XB

Home to the Anson family since 1624, it was once described as ‘a perfect paradise’. Visit this important piece of Staffordshire's heritage for a full day of discovery.

Pre-booking is not required.

Lichfield

Wall Roman Site (Letocetum)

When: September 6 - 9, 11am

Where: Wall Roman Museum, Watling Street, Wall, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS14 0AN

A team of knowledgeable English Heritage Volunteers will be offering guided tours of Wall Roman Site (Letocetum) in Staffordshire.

Pre-booking is required. Visit english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/wall-roman-site/.

Birmingham

Grand Hotel

When: September 15, 3pm-6.30pm

Where: Church St, Birmingham B3 2FE

The hotel is hosting a Birmingham Heritage Afternoon Tea event in the Louis XIV-style Grand Ballroom with a live string quartet.

Booking is required at thegrandhotelbirmingham.co.uk