Local Area

The area around Gornal has a long and interesting history and there is still lots to see & do along with other attractions in the surrounding area and wider Black Country area.

The Gornals and surrounding area

Gornal is made up of Lower Gornal, Upper Gornal, Gornalwood, The Straits, Straits Green and Ruiton The area is surrounded by Wombourne, Himley, Wall Heath, Kingswinford, Pensnett, Dudley, Tipton, Coseley & Sedgely.

Local Area

• Abraham Darby & Wren’s Nest Wren's Nest, Former limestone quarry and important geological site, rich in fossils, wild flowers and birthplace of Abraham Darby - one of the pivotal pioneers of the start of the Industrial Revolution. Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve of exceptional importance. It is one of the most notable geological locations in the British Isles and visited and studied by geologists from all over the world. Over 400 million years ago, the area where Dudley now stands was covered by coral reefs and tropical seas providing an environment for the famous fossils we find there today. Over 700 types of fossil are known to have come from Wren's Nest. 186 of which were first discovered and described here and 86 are found nowhere else on Earth.

• Baggeridge Country Park Redeveloped mining land with woodland trails, an aerial ropes course, sensory garden and play area. Baggeridge Country Park is a beautiful area of countryside on the doorstep of the Black Country, with a great range of facilities on offer. The park has been a Green Flag winner every year since 1998 which is an international mark of quality for parks and green spaces. The park is ideal for walkers and dog walkers, families with young children, bird watchers and nature enthusiasts.

• Black Country Living Museum Exploration of life in an 1850s iron-working town, with a coal seam, forge, steam engine and shops. The Museum site covers 26 acres and opened to the public in 1978. It has since added over 50 shops, houses and other industrial buildings from around the area, carefully dismantled and rebuilt in the grounds of the museum. It even has a working pub!

• Himley Colliery Himley Colliery was a vast series of coal pits extending from Himley to Brierley Hill. The South Staffordshire coal seam stretched from Brereton near Rugeley covering Willenhall, Wednesbury, Dudley, Pensnett and Halesowen before running out at Wychbury Hill near Hagley. Back in 1851, Cochrane and Co, Woodside Iron Works, in Dudley had supplied most of the ironwork required for the Great Exhibition building at Crystal Palace although Dudley was known to be the most unhealthy place to live in England. Little is left of the mines in the area, bar the underground workings but there is a mining section at the Dudley museum at the archives.

• Cobb's Engine House And Chimney Bumble Hole Local Nature Reserve, Former industrial landscape, now protected & home to a peaceful canal area reverting to nature. Cobb’s Engine House (also known as Windmill End Pumping Station) housed a stationary Watt-type steam engine, which pumped water out of nearby mines for 97 years. Cobb’s Engine House and Chimney is the earliest surviving example of its type and one of the few engine houses left in the Black Country.

• Cotwall End Local Nature Reserve Tranquil nature reserve and Site of Importance for Nature Conservation, comprising a variety of habitats including rich grassland, ancient and semi- natural woodland and lowland heath. The nature reserve walk passes through picturesque wooded valleys with pools, brooks and natural springs. The site has some important wildlife with nationally rare flora and fauna including several species of orchid and the endangered Great Crested Newt. Brockswood Animal Sanctuary is based in the reserve giving home to a variety of injured, abused or abandoned animals.

• Dudley Canal and Caverns Popular attraction featuring boat tours through the region's canal & tunnel network. Work began in 1775 on Lord Dudley and Ward’s branch canal from the Birmingham Canal to his Tipton Colliery and a 250-yard tunnel to his limestone mines under Castle Hill. The British Transport Commission proposed to close the tunnel in 1959 before a protest group was formed. The tunnels were restored and re-opened to the public in 1973.

• Dudley Museum at the Archives Follow Dudley’s story from pre-history to the present day in accessible premises and refreshed displays. Discover a world class geology collection, learn about Dudley Castle finds, Dudley local heroes and the famous glass collection. Art work includes Dudley landscapes and in focus display.

• Dudley Zoo and Castle Walkthrough zoo in grounds with exotic mammals and reptiles, plus a farmyard area and face painting. The zoo which opened in May 1937, covers an area of approximately 40 acres. This unique site includes two scheduled monuments – an 11th century castle and limestone caverns – and 12 Grade 2 listed Tecton buildings (four Grade 2*). The idea to convert Dudley Castle's grounds into zoological gardens came from its then owner, the third Earl of Dudley, who chose a team of Modernist architects to design the zoo. Using reinforced concrete they created a revolutionary new design of building: Tectons.

• Gornal Coal & Bricks Much of Gornal and surrounding areas was rich in both coal and clay and was owned by a family that owned most of the coal fields in Staffordshire. That family was the Ward family. The 1st Earl of Dudley William Ward was born in Suffolk, the son of William Ward, 10th Baron Ward. Between 1859 and 1877 Ward paid for the entire refacing and restoration of Worcester Cathedral, there is a monument to him in the cathedral and his statue stands at the top of Castle Hill in Dudley.

• Gornal Volcano Barrow Hill Local Nature Reserve, 28 acre nature reserve since 2005 with the remains of an extinct volcano & hiking/biking trails. Barrow Hill itself was once a part of an active volcano, and is the only proven example of surface volcanic activity in the Black Country area. The earliest evidence of human presence at the site were two burial chambers (barrows) found on the northern slopes of Barrow Hill, believed to date back to the Bronze Age, 2000BC to 700BC.

• Greensforge Fort A Measuring an area of about 4½ acres, Greensforge Fort A was the first of the two forts to be built on the east bank of the Smestow near the confluence with the Dawley, and lies at the extreme southern end of the low ridge between the two streams, immediately south of the modern road junction. Not much remains of the fort and it is believed that it was the Romans that dismantled it.

• Himley Hall and Park A commanding 18th Century Grade II* listed building set amongst 180 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. Once the family home to the Earls of Dudley and host to royalty and high society, today it is a glamorous setting for civil wedding ceremonies and receptions and other special occasions as well as Indulgent Afternoon Teas, prestigious conference facilities and guided tours, angling & golf.

• Netherton Titanic Replica Anchor - In August 1910, N. Hingley & Sons completed an anchor for the White Star liner, Olympic. It was claimed that the anchor was the biggest ever produced, weighing 15 tons 5¼cwt, with length 19ft and width 10ft. In 1911, the company manufactured the anchors and chain for the ocean liner RMS Titanic. A replica of the anchor, made in 2010 sits in the middle of Netherton close to the fabulous and famous ‘Ma Padoes’ pub.

• Penn Golf Club Founded in 1908, Penn Golf Club is a high quality heathland golf course of much character set in the picturesque surroundings of Penn Common, where the city border meets the rural countryside of South Staffordshire. With views extending over the Clee Hills.

• Sedgley Beacon Historical landmark - Formerly a site of intensive quarrying from 17th century to around the time of the First World War, Beacon Hill has an industrial legacy which has created a series of parallel steep-sided ridges and gullies colonised by wildlife. The site is popular with local residents on account of the panoramic views of the industrial Black Country and contrasting Staffordshire countryside.

• Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Bratch Locks - The Bratch is the perfect spot for a family afternoon of exploring the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal's history and local wildlife. Take a walk along the towpath and admire the historic bridge and Bratch pumping station, or spot the locks, originally built as a staircase.

Surrounding Area

• Ashwood Nurseries - 5 miles Independent nursery and garden centre with a world-wide reputation for specialist plants, notably hellebores, hepaticas, cyclamen, hydrangeas, salvias, lewisias and Primula auricula. Garden Shop, Gift Shop & Tea Room

• Coffin Works - 12 miles The shelves and workbenches at The Coffin Works are full of original stock and tools of the trade. With the original machinery working again, you can truly experience how this old Jewellery Quarter firm once operated on a day-to-day basis, producing some of the world’s finest coffin furniture, including the fittings for the funerals of Churchill, Chamberlain and the Queen Mother. Travel back in time a few decades to experience how Newman Brothers operated during its heyday.

• Glasshouse Arts Centre - 7 miles Glasshouse Arts Centre is an artistic and cultural hub for local groups, hosting theatre performances as well as conferencing and hospitality events. There is a 400 capacity auditorium and a 100 capacity studio theatre.

• Glasshouse Heritage Centre - 6 miles The Glasshouse Heritage Centre (formerly the Webb Corbett Visitor Centre) is a heritage attraction presenting 400 years of glass history on the site and in the Stourbridge Area. An interactive and interesting centre for all ages.

• Halfpenny Green Vinyard - 6 miles It was the vision of farmer Martin Vickers 30 years ago to plant a vineyard that would one day match continental sites. Today, 30 acres of vines are managed by Martin and produce award-winning wines crafted by his son Clive. A family business, the acclaimed shop, restaurant and tea rooms are run by Clive’s wife Lisa, and offer a great day out for visitors.

• Hartlebury Castle - 17 miles With fascinating exhibitions and displays, peaceful surroundings, an excellent café and a well-stocked gift shop Hartlebury Castle is the ideal place to visit. The Castle has been home to the Bishops of Worcester for over 1000 years. In recent years the Hartlebury Castle Preservation Trust has re-developed the site, opening new areas to visitors, thanks to a generous grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

• Harvington Hall - 15 miles A house of near untouched beauty hidden deep in the Worcestershire countryside. Harvington’s history-rich interior holds enthralling tales of devotion and Catholic persecution. There are no less than seven priest hides here (more than any other house in England), as well as an impressive collection of rare Elizabethan wall paintings and many more historical tales.

• The Lace Guild - 5 miles The Lace Guild is the largest organisation for lacemakers in the British Isles and has probably the most comprehensive lace library in the world, providing information about the craft of lacemaking, its history and use.

• Moseley Old Hall - 9 miles The home that saved a king - In 1650, eighteen months after his father’s execution, Charles II returned from Scotland to reclaim the crown. He hid out at White Ladies Priory and Boscobel House before fleeing to Moseley Old Hall, the home of Thomas Whitgreave where he hid in a priest hole. Charles eventually made his way to Shoreham in Sussex where he managed to find a boat to France before returning to England in 1660.

• Museum of Carpet - 14 miles Once a thriving carpet factory, the Stour Vale Mill is now home to the only Museum of Carpet in the country. A centre of heritage, art and industry, the Museum of Carpet has four galleries that celebrate the history of carpet design, the evolution of carpet manufacture and the heritage of those who worked in local industry.

• Shugborough Estate - 22 miles 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 discoveries. You can explore sweeping parkland, ancient woodland and a landscape peppered with monuments. See seasonal blooms in the formal gardens, or produce in the walled garden. Head over to Park Farm to see the Dorking chickens, Longhorn cows and Southdown sheep that roam around in the fields. In the Georgian mansion, unearth unusual treasures and experience life 'below stairs' in the servant's quarters, then enter a world of glamour and royalty in the apartments of Patrick Lichfield, 5th Earl and fashion photographer.

• Netherton Arts Centre - 4 miles Netherton Arts Centre is a 322 seat Victorian theatre and is available for rehearsal and performance hire by professional and amateur drama/dance etc. groups as well as for private hire for conferences and meetings, celebrations and special events.

• Pen Museum - 11 miles Making steel pen nibs in Birmingham during the Victorian era was a major industry with 129 companies employing circa 8,000 workers (mainly women). By visiting the Pen Museum, you will discover a wide range of fascinating objects and details that help tell the story of Birmingham’s pen trade and its important legacy including the link between a prominent pen manufacturer (Josiah Mason) and the establishment of the University of Birmingham.

• Rays Farm and Woodland Walks - 22 miles Guinea Pigs, reindeer, rabbits, horses, chickens, owls and pygmy goat paddock. Alongside the farm animals, explore Mythical Woods and Fairytale Forest. Follow the Myth and Magic Wood Sculpture Trail through the ancient woodland paths. Coffee Shop & Gift Shop.

• Red House Glass Cone - 5 miles Red House Glass Cone lies in the heart of the Glass Quarter, Stourbridge. It was built around 1790 and used for the manufacture of glass until 1936. It is now one of only four cones left in the UK and one of the most complete glass cone sites in Europe. The cone itself is huge, reaching 100ft into the sky. In its 200 year old history the site has remained virtually unaltered and therefore provides a fascinating insight into the history and tradition of glassmaking.

• Sandwell Valley Country Park - 8 miles 660 acres of lakes, woodland and farms with hidden pools, wildlife refuges and the remains of an old Benedictine monastery. Sandwell Park Farm and Forge Mill Farm have cafés and Forge Mill is home to Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve.

• Severn Valley Country Park - 14 miles Severn valley country park is nestled in the delightful Severn valley and is a green flag award winning park of 126 acres with a request stop at the Country Park Halt on the Severn Valley Steam Railway. Visitor centre and café, picnic areas, marked trails & bird hide.

• Stourbridge Bonded Warehouse - 6 miles Grade II Listed building in canal side conservation area and home to the Stourbridge Navigation Trust. Boat trips from the Bonded warehouse onboard 'The Blackcountry Man Trip Boat'. Music nights, day trips & rooms for hire.

• West Midland Safari Park - 14 miles West Midland Safari Park is home to a variety of all-weather attractions, including four miles of drive-through safari, the largest animatronic dinosaur exhibit in the UK and a theme park. Indian rhino, cheetah, tigers, lions, giraffe, elephants and white rhino. The walk-around Discovery Trail showcases Penguin Cove, Aquarium, Creepy Crawlies, Sea Lion Theatre, Twilight Cave, Reptile House, friendly animal encounters and Lorikeet Landing. Meerkat Mayhem, the largest lemur walk- through in the UK and plenty of shops and eateries.

• Whitlenge Gardens - 16 miles Explore three acres of inspiring gardens, turf labyrinth and moongate showcased on TV by Alan Titchmarsh. There are water features, twisted brick pergolas and a living hornbeam gazebo. Tearoom, play area, Gift shop, plant nursery and crafty shop.

• Wightwick Manor - 6 miles Wightwick was built by Theodore Mander, of the Mander family, who were successful 19th-century industrialists in the Wolverhampton area, and his wife Flora, daughter of Henry Nicholas Paint, member of Parliament in Canada. It was designed by Edward Ould of Liverpool and completed in 1887 with the house was extended with the Great Parlour wing in 1893. In 1937 Geoffrey Mander, a radical Liberal MP and local paint manufacturer who had been left the timber-framed house by his father Theodore, persuaded the National Trust to accept a house that was just 50 years old, under the Country Houses Scheme Act.

Local Area

The Gornals and surrounding area

Local Area

The Gornals and surrounding

area

Ruiton Mill

Ruiton Mill