I visited the West Midlands' most famous museum for the first time - it wasn't what I expected

The open-air museum brings 250 years of history to life and as I wandered around I was very surprised as it really wasn't what I thought it would be.

In truth, I thought the museum would be like most - a lot of information plastered on walls and artefacts dotted about. Instead, I was treated to a museum where you can walk around outside and are subsequently transported back to what the Black Country looked like decades and centuries ago.

I was very surprised and I thought it was great. It was interactive, interesting, and there was so much to explore.

You are truly transported back in time as the museum features restored buildings from the 1800s to the 1940s/50s, including a bustling high street, a school, and a canal-side village. 

There is even an underground mine tour, a 1920s cinema, and traditionally cooked beef-dripping chips - to which there was a long queue snaking outside full of people ready to order and devour.

There are talented and amazing historical characters around the site bursting with information on the Black Country, fully-equipped to tell you the most interesting and quirky facts. 

There were different talks in the various buildings, and you can ask the historical characters anything. It really makes it a more fun way of learning new information, and I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect.

It was also fascinating to see and learn about how the museum had constructed historic buildings and structures on the site brick by brick. The Canal Street bridge was one of the first structures to be put in place in the museum - and it features in the Peaky Blinders film and series!

The bridge was transferred to the museum in 1976 from its original home in Canal Street after it was initially placed in storage.

It had to be carefully dismantled before being transferred to the museum as one of there first structures. It's amazing!

I also visited Charlie's Yard which also features heavily in Peaky Blinders, and it was so interesting to see the filming areas of the series (and now film!). 

I discovered that the museum is currently reconstructing the historic Woodside Library as part of its new 1940s–1960s high street, and that will be opening very soon. 

The library was moved brick-by-brick from Dudley and is being meticulously restored to its 1961 appearance. Another great addition to the museum.

Aside from the structures, there is also a fairground with rides including the Ghost Train for children to enjoy, and there are also two working horses in the middle of the site which are often dressed up depending on the theme of the museum. 

For example last October one of the horses dressed up in funeral attired and pulled a carriage around the museum. There are many extra touches that the museum delivers to make the experience even more fantastic. 

I actually visited on free entry day as the region's heritage museum was offering free entry to holders of National Lottery tickets as a thank you for years of funding.

Thousands of people had turned up of all ages and everywhere I looked I could see everyone was truly enjoying their day out. One woman from Great Barr told me she was having a "smashing day" after not having been for years.

In the heart of the Black Country, located in the market town of Dudley, the Black Country Living Museum offers a truly unique and fantastic experience.

I can see why those in the Black Country would be proud of this museum showcasing their history as it is truly special and offers something not many museums do. 

It is more of a museum in my eyes. It is an interactive experience, transporting you back in time. You can learn about the past of the Black Country by truly seeing and feeling what it would be like - and you can even top off the day by visiting one of the pubs on site for a tipple, a bite to eat or head to the bakery for a sweet treat.

The fish and chip shop at the Black Country Living Museum, Hobbs & Sons Fish & Chip Shop, is actually consistently recognised for its traditional, high-quality offering. Like I say, it's not just a museum!

It's truly a great day out and it surpassed my expectations. It was a bit of a journey down the M6 from Coventry - but it was very much worth it.