This year’s Heritage Open Day will take place from Saturday 12th September to Sunday 20th September. Due to Covid-19 most of our tours this year will be online. But there are walks you can download to follow, a sketching competing and a ‘hidden nature’ competition for you to have a go at too.
Check back to this page for updates on events or to take part from Saturday 12th – Sunday 20th September. Follow us on our BrierleyHillHOD facebook page and @brierleyhillhod instagram site.
2020 Events
Share the magical moment of dawn. Listen to music from Brierley Hill’s historic buildings. Share your pictures using #BrierleyHillDawn
Brought to you in partnership with Black Country Radio, and inspired by the Dawns project run by the National Trust and arts group ‘non zero one’, Brierley Hill Dawn invites you to share those magic moments at dawn on Saturday 12th September. Listen to music performed in local buildings; watch dawn; share your photos on line using #BrierleyHillDawn.
Historic Building and Sketch Making Tour (click her to go to the audio and visual guide)
Either download the izi.travel@NT app (free) and follow this tour or print out a paper copy. Starting at the library the tour takes in many of the historical buildings in Brierley Hill: including the water fountain, the market, St Mary’s Catholic Church, Marsh Park, the war memorial, St Michael’s Church, the former technical school and library and the Civic Hall. Learn more about the buildings – why not use the opportunity to take part in our sketching competition and post your efforts online with the chance for your drawing to be used in the forthcoming ‘town trail’ leaflet. Use the hashtag #BrierleyHillSketch to post your pictures.
Brierley Hill Nature Walks
Download two Brierley Hill walks produced by botanical expert Pamela Smith. Both walks start in Marsh Park and they tell the story of 30 plants, one for each foot of the thirty foot coal seam which defines the Black Country.
The walks each take about an hour at an easy pace. What you see will change throughout the season so well worth repeating regularly. During the walks look out for the 30 different plants – the leaflet provides details of the folklore associated with them.
Stained Glass Safari
An elephant? Dragons? Lions? You will be amazed what you can find in the stained glass and art of Brierley Hill churches. Join us for an online safari.
Visiting some of the religious buildings in Brierley Hill this online tour focuses on the stained glass windows and paintings. Many of them contain pictures of animals and flowers. One might think that they are placed there for decoration alone. But there is more to it. This safari visits the buildings and looks at the folklore and stories associated with the images.
Hidden Nature Photo Competition (ongoing so get going!)
Get you camera’s out and get clicking. Take part in our ‘Hidden Nature’ photo competition. Post your photos on social media using #BrierleyHillHOD. Celebrate the hidden beauty of our town. No prizes. Just for fun.
St John’s Church, Brockmoor Virtual Tour (now live)
We will be holding a virtual tour of this Grade II listed building, also highlighting some of the items of interest inside and outside of the building. There will also be a presentation detailing some of the history of the church and the area.
Brierley Hill Methodist Church Online Tour (now live)
Tour the Methodist Church in Brierley Hill looking at some notable burials and fantastic stained glass windows
A methodist church has stood on this site since 1829. in the 1960s the local methodist churches agreed to merge and the present church was opened in 1971. This online tour looks at some of those buried in the churchyard – including the missionary who converted Tonga to Christianity and a famous Brierley Hill footballer who played for England. Inside the church viewers will be able to see the chapel with its fine stained glass windows – rescued from its predecessor.
Brierley Hill Mosque Online Tour (now live)
Look inside Brierley Hill’s mosque.
Local residents will remember the Brierley Hill Health Centre in Albion Street. In 2010 this moved to the new Health and Social Care Centre on Venture Way. After standing empty for a few years the building was purchased by the local muslim community. Extensive improvements works have taken place and the inside of the building has been remodelled. This online tour gives you the opportunity to see inside the building and to learn more about the islamic faith.
St Mary’s Catholic Church Online Tour (now live)
Take a virtual online tour of Brierley Hill’s Roman Catholic Church, designed by Edward Welby Pugin and opened in 1873.
First time visitors often gasp as the beauty of this church. Carvings, paintings and stained glass provide a visual delight. This online tour tells the history of the church, discusses the symbolism of its art and looks at a virtual tour produced well before the age of the internet! Visitors will also find out what connects the church with the Mouth of the Nile and Marsh and Baxters bacon processing factory.
Behind the Scenes at the Civic Hall – Online Tour (now live)
Look behind the scenes of Brierley Hill’s largest performance venue.
One of the last buildings to be constructed by the former Brierley Hill Urban District Council, the Civic Hall was once the pride of the town. This online tour gives you the opportunity to look behind the scenes. Visit the dressing rooms, dwell in the green room, look down from the heights of the stage gantry. The foyer contains references to the former council and gives the opportunity to learn about the town’s coat of arms.
Brierley Hill Library Online Tour with Historic Artefacts (now live)
An online tour featuring the historic artefacts held at Brierley Hill library.
Brierley Hill library has a fine collection of artefacts, old images and maps illuminating the town’s history. Building on the success of last year’s Heritage Open Day display, this year’s display moves online and gives you the chance to view the exhibition from the comfort of your own home.
St Michael’s Virtual Tour (now live)
View the beautiful stained glass windows of St Michael’s, the oldest building in Brierley Hill (1765) and grade 2 listed. Learn about its history and view the normally out of bounds ringing room!
