Summary of Attractions in Stourbridge
Located at the fringes of the West Midlands Green Belt, Stourbridge is a historic market town with deep connections to the glassmaking industry.
Glass production in this area dates back to the 1600s; however, the industry experienced significant growth in the 18th century with the establishment of the Stourbridge Canal and the striking Red House Glass Cone.
This impressive kiln is still intact and operates as a museum, while the former Ruskin Glassworks has transitioned into a center for crafts, focusing on glassmaking and a variety of trades.
Positioned in the southernmost part of the West Midlands conurbation, Stourbridge offers ample opportunities to engage with nature, whether by venturing west to the sandstone ridge of Kinver Edge or south towards the scenic Clent Hills.
Let us delve into the foremost attractions in Stourbridge:
1. Kinver Edge
Located just west of Stourbridge, Kinver Edge is a National Trust site characterized by its sandstone escarpment running north to south.
Prior to the Roman invasion, this ridge was home to two significant hillforts.
The most prominent, the Kinver Edge Hillfort to the north, utilized the ridge’s natural topography for defense, complemented by a singular massive rampart to the south.
Kinver Edge presents numerous miles of walking paths that meander through the hillfort setting or traverse its wooded areas, heathland, and pasture to discover natural features such as Nanny’s Rock.
From the windswept pinnacle of Kinver Edge, one can behold views extending across the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire, and Worcestershire.
2. Kinver Edge Rock Houses
The National Trust also manages the historic Rock Houses, carved from the sandstone further down the slope.
These houses were among the last troglodyte dwellings to be inhabited in England, with occupancy continuing until the 1960s.
One of the cavities, Holy Austin, served as a hermitage until the Reformation in the 16th century.
The National Trust has preserved some of the houses with period furnishings, showcasing domestic life in the Victorian era and 1930s, while another features a tearoom.
Other dwellings have been left unadorned, affording visitors a view of the unique texture of the sandstone and an opportunity to encounter historical graffiti.
Surrounding the houses are working allotments, a heritage orchard, and numerous tranquil spots ideal for picnics.
3. Mary Stevens Park
Mary Stevens Park is the central urban park of Stourbridge and a significant asset to the community.
Having opened in 1931, the park recently underwent a £3.1 million revitalization, ensuring it remains an essential part of daily life in Stourbridge.
The park features an activity center/café, an expansive play area for younger children, a new water play feature, tennis courts, an outdoor gym, a bowling green, and even a croquet lawn.
One of the highlights for the youngest visitors is the Heath Pool, frequented by geese and ducks, where bird feed can be purchased for £0.50 from the café.
4. Clent Hills
Though Stourbridge is nestled within the bustling West Midlands conurbation, it is effortless to access the unspoiled countryside by traversing this picturesque hill range.
The Clent Hills, just across the border in Worcestershire, are a popular destination for walkers from surrounding Midlands towns.
The two highest peaks, Clent Hill (315m) and Walton Hill (316m), are overseen by the National Trust, with a network of well-marked walks winding through the lush woods adorned with bluebells during spring.
On a clear day, a climb up Walton Hill rewards visitors with sweeping views that include the Black Mountains of Wales, the Peak District, Charnwood Forest in Leicestershire, and the Cotswolds.
The hills are adorned with 18th-century monuments, reflections of a time when the land formed part of the Lyttelton Estate.
Among these is the Four Stones atop Clent Hill, which resembles prehistoric standing stones but was in fact constructed by the eccentric George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton in 1768.
5. Red House Glass Cone
Erected in 1790, the 30-meter Red House Glass Cone stands as the best-preserved of the four remaining glass cones in the United Kingdom.
The Stuart Crystal factory operated from this site until 1936, when production was relocated to a new facility.
Currently, the Red House Glass Cone serves as a museum managed by Dudley Council, inviting visitors to discover the glassworks’ underground tunnels and ascend a platform to gain insights into the cone’s inner workings.
The cone hosts a vibrant schedule of activities, including glass fusing sessions every Saturday, as well as craft workshops in disciplines such as copper foiling, quilling, and decoupage on Fridays.
Visitors may browse exhibitions showcasing Stourbridge’s glass heritage and visit various craft studios on-site, where they can observe artists, ceramicists, textile creators, and others at work, as well as acquire unique artisanal products.
6. Ruskin Glass Centre
The glassworks formerly associated with the renowned Royal Doulton Crystal and Webb Corbett have recently undergone a £1.4 million renovation, transforming it into a center for contemporary glassmaking.
Within this facility, a glassmaking school, a performing arts venue, a café, and multiple studios have been established.
These studios house acclaimed glass artists, stained glass artisans, engravers, glass decorators, glass repair specialists, and craftsmen from various disciplines, including textiles, printmaking, and woodwork.
A resident glass-blower conducts demonstrations, while visitors are welcome to explore the studios to discover the artists’ creations and learn about their techniques, potentially taking home a special keepsake.
7. Hagley Hall
Situated in the Clent Hills on the southern edge of Stourbridge is the 18th-century neo-Palladian Hagley Hall, which has continued to serve as the residence of the Lyttelton family since its construction.
This grand estate, designed by Sanderson Miller, is set within expansive parkland landscaped in the Picturesque style and currently welcomes the public.
Hagley Hall remains a family home for Christopher Lyttelton, 12th Viscount Cobham, but it is also available for event rentals and hosts guided tours for groups lasting an hour.
These tours include visits to the opulent state rooms, rich in intricate Rococo plasterwork and adorned with various objects, including busts of Roman emperors, a salvaged Elizabethan fireplace, exquisite 18th-century tapestries, Meissen porcelain, and Louis XV furnishings.
8. Wychbury Hill
The nearest peak of the Clent Hills, Wychbury Hill stands at 224 meters, located a mere couple of miles south of Stourbridge town center.
This destination offers several attractions, including a summit that provides an excellent viewpoint overlooking the Severn Valley and the Malverns on clear days.
The summit is also crowned by the Hagley Obelisk, a memorial commemorating the Lyttelton family, established in 1758. Occasional inscriptions have appeared on the obelisk, referencing the enigma, “Who put Bella in the Wych Elm?” This refers to a mystery involving a decomposed body found on the Lyttelton Estate during the Second World War.
In addition, a mysterious grove of ancient yew trees, consisting of 28 trees, and the earthen double ramparts of an Iron Age hillfort known as Wychbury Ring can also be found here.
9. Stourbridge Canal
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, the Stourbridge Canal played a vital role in supporting the town’s glassmaking industry, as well as brick manufacturers, ironworks, and tinplate producers.
Stretching just over five miles, the canal is still operational today, connecting the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal with the Dudley Canal, thereby linking the River Severn with Birmingham and the broader Black Country.
It is possible to traverse the entirety of the five-mile length along the recently renovated towpath.
Near the Red House Glass Cone, visitors may encounter one of the canal’s highlights, a picturesque flight of 16 locks, complemented by an iron split bridge, a lock cottage, and a timber warehouse at the canal basin.
10. Stambermill Viaduct
Stourbridge is also home to another significant industrial relic, where the former Oxford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway spans the Stour River and the A458. From the main road, the true scale of the Stambermill Viaduct may not be easily appreciated; however, if one ventures to Stamford Road a short distance to the west, they can walk into the river valley and examine this striking structure up close.
Constructed in 1850, the viaduct features ten arches.
Although passenger services have not operated across it since 1964 (with the South Staffordshire Line anticipated to reopen in the 2020s), freight trains continue to utilize the viaduct for connectivity to and from Brierley Hill.
11. Sadler’s Brewery
Lye, neighboring Stourbridge, is home to Sadler’s Brewery, an establishment with a rich history dating back to 1861. Following an 80-year hiatus, brewing resumed in 2004, offering a selection of signature craft beers along with seasonal specialties.
Due to its success, Sadler’s Brewery expanded into larger facilities in 2015, which feature a visitor center and bar.
On Saturdays, guided tours explain the brewing process in detail, highlighting how Sadler’s produces ales and beers such as its Mellow Yellow honey lager, the golden ale Worcester Sorcerer, and the Hoppers Hut IPA, among others.
Every step of the brewing process is elucidated, from mashing and fermentation to packaging.
Visitors even have the opportunity to participate by measuring and mixing malts, hops, and yeast.
Guests receive four tokens (one for each half pint) to sample nearly every beer in the range on draught.
12. Bonded Warehouse
The cobbled Canal Street at the beginning of the Town Arm of the Stourbridge Canal exhibits a rugged historical charm, with gaslights and a collection of brick industrial landmarks, including the three-story Bonded Warehouse.
This edifice was constructed around the time the canal was inaugurated in 1779 and is notable for its semi-circular eastern end, which greets visitors along Canal Street.
Preserved from demolition in the 1980s, it is currently available for functions and serves as a departure point for narrowboat excursions along the canal.
From April to September, Black Country Man Boat Trips operates 2.5-hour cruises to Stourton Locks and hosts various fairs and markets on weekends.
13. Stourbridge Town Hall
The neo-Renaissance Town Hall, a remarkable structure in the heart of Stourbridge, was completed in 1887 in celebration of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, prominently featuring a tower embellished with pediments, friezes, and a cupola that commands the skyline.
In the 1960s, the Town Hall served as a vibrant live music venue, showcasing some of the era’s most celebrated acts, such as The Who, The Walker Brothers, Cream, The Small Faces, The Hollies, and The Moody Blues.
Today, it still offers an engaging array of theatrical productions, performances by leading comedians in the UK, classical and contemporary music events, along with Monday matinee screenings for critically acclaimed new releases.
14. The Falconry Centre
Located in Hagley, The Falconry Centre is dedicated to the conservation and education of birds of prey, showcasing over 80 individual birds from more than 30 species.
The diverse collection encompasses various species of buzzards, owls, kites, and falcons, including an American Kestrel, a bald eagle, a griffon vulture, and a golden eagle.
Visitors are invited to partake in memorable encounters with these magnificent birds, holding and flying them during experiences ranging from one hour to half a day, with options suitable for children.
The facility also operates as a conventional zoo, where guests can explore aviaries, engage with birds up close, and witness captivating flying demonstrations scheduled daily at 1:00 PM.
15. Stourbridge Golf Club
Situated amidst rolling parkland at the southern edge of Stourbridge, Stourbridge Golf Club has a history dating back to 1892 and is recognized as one of the top clubs in the West Midlands.
The standout hole on this 18-hole par 69 course is the challenging 2nd, a par 4 dog-leg left that features a green shielded by bunkers on the front and sides.
The course is meticulously maintained and offers modern facilities alongside a well-stocked pro shop.
Green fees are reasonably priced at £32, and the clubhouse is noted for its hospitable atmosphere and menu.
.jpg){kind=link}