Black Country glass museum shortlisted for international tourism award

A Black Country museum has been shortlisted for a global tourism award after welcoming visitors from across the world.

Stourbridge Glass Museum, at the former White House glass works in Wordsley, has been nominated for the International Tourism Award at the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2027.

Museum director Alexander Goodger said the nomination reflected its expanding worldwide presence, shaped by a year of ambitious exhibitions, international partnerships and worldwide media attention.

He said that over the past year the museum had welcomed glass artists from across the world, hosted international residencies and delivered tours in multiple languages.

It had ensured visitors from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond were able to experience the area’s glass heritage in a way that fels personal and accessible,” he said.

Highlights of the year included the Contemporary Glass Society exhibition, and the eco‑themed exhibition The Other Glass curated by Norwegian Tone Ørvik.

A project to reimagine the museum’s underground tunnels also attracted interest as far afield as Saudi Arabia, he added.

Mr Goodger said this month members of the museum’s staff and volunteer team were invited to an art exhibition at the Belgian embassy, where they met High Commissioner of Sri Lanka Nimal Senadheera, and his deputy Nanduni Hasintha Govinnage.

“After sharing their enthusiasm for Ceylon tea, our volunteers mentioned the Sri Lankan restaurant opposite the museum, Ceylon Spoon,” he said.

“In a moment of warm cultural exchange, the High Commissioner and deputy High Commissioner invited the entire volunteer team to the Sri Lankan Embassy to sample Ceylon tea from different regions of Sri Lanka,” he said.

They gave the glass museum team boxes of tea and hand‑crafted artworks depicting Sri Lankan elephants, and in return, the museum presented them with Black Country flags, celebrating the region’s glassmaking identity and strengthening this unexpected diplomatic friendship.

The High Commissioner also accepted an invitation to visit Stourbridge Glass Museum and Ceylon Spoon during his next visit.

Mr Goodger said: “From Wordsley to the world. We can’t wait to show the High Commissioner the best of Wordsley, from our world‑class glass collection to The Ceylon Spoon Sri Lankan restaurant, and the brilliant independent businesses that make the glass quarter such a special place.”.