'We're having a smashing day': Thousands travel to the renowned Black Country Living Museum for free entry day

The open week is a way for National Lottery to say thank you for the millions raised for good causes each week, with hundreds of venues across the UK opening up with free and low-cost days out.

All visitors had to do to enter the Dudley-based museum was use their valid lottery ticket to book a slot on the Black Country Living Museum website.

Thousands turned up to the popular West Midlands attraction today. There were crowds of children, families and people of all ages enjoying their day out, exploring the museum, and learning about the Black Country's interesting history.

Lourda O'Rourke, from Great Barr, said the initiative of the free day from both the National Lottery and the Black Country Living Museum is "amazing".

She said: "It's a really good idea and especially for kids. They don't really realise sometimes do they - we were in one of the shops and they didn't know about the rationing. So it's amazing".

She added: "We are having a smashing day. It's lovely, we haven't been here for years and it's so changed".

Charlene Pullen, from Bristol, and her partner Daniel George, from Black Heath, were enjoying their day out today for Mr George's birthday. Ms Pullen, who had never visited the museum before, said the attraction is "really good" as it "brings it back to the olden days".

She added: "I think it's a good idea. It's nice because it brings more people in, so it kind of feels like you're actually living the old life, we saw loads of children crossing the crossroads earlier."

Mr George, who had visited the museum many a time over the years, said the free day offering is "really good value".

You can explore shops, houses, and industrial workshops at the museum. There is plenty to explore and historical actors are all around the site, engaging with visitors and providing interesting, insightful information on the history of the Black Country.

Projects filmed at Black Country Living Museum include the award-winning Peaky Blinders, Stan & Ollies, The Colour Room and Three Little Birds.

For Peaky Blinders fans you can go and visit the set of Charlie's Yard at the museum. The Anchor Forge, Rolling Mill, and Canal Street Bridge, at the museum also make appearances in the series and the new film The Immortal Man.

There is so much to explore and learn at the museum, and thousands made the most of being able to enter the popular attraction for free today.