Heritage Open Day: Heritage Meets Innovation - Dudley College Inspired Campus
2025-09-20 10:00 - 15:00 UTC | Dudley College – Inspired – Brierley Hill, Venture Way, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 1RG, United Kingdom
For the first time ever, Dudley College’s Inspired Campus on Venture Way opens its doors for Heritage Open Day, offering a rare glimpse inside one of the town’s most modern learning environments. This is a unique opportunity to explore how heritage can be interpreted through innovation.
Tour the campus — including its TV studio, creative spaces, and digital workshops — and learn how today’s students engage with the past using the tools of tomorrow. Expect a fresh and exciting take on heritage, with activities, displays, and possibly live demonstrations (programme to be confirmed closer to the day).
As a key part of Brierley Hill’s ongoing regeneration, the Inspired Campus offers a different kind of heritage story — one rooted in learning, aspiration, and community transformation.
Just a short walk from Harry’s Café, Albion Street Church, and the bustling Market, the campus adds a new dimension to your Heritage Open Day route. After soaking in the high-tech spaces, why not contrast your experience with the historic architecture of St Michael’s or St Mary’s Church, or take in the storytelling magic of the Graves at Nightwalk?
It’s the perfect stop for those curious about the future as well as the past.

Heritage Open Day: St Michael's Church
2025-09-20 10:00 - 15:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
St Michael’s Church invites you to experience a rich tapestry of local history, architecture, and wartime remembrance. Explore the early 19th-century building through guided tours, revealing how the Oxford Movement influenced its spiritual and architectural development.
Try your hand at ringing the 150-year-old Whitechapel handbells, or climb up to the ringing chamber for a rare look behind the scenes. Children and adults alike are welcome to take part in interactive activities, including colouring and crafts.
The acclaimed WWII exhibition returns with compelling local content: Luftwaffe maps showing Brierley Hill as a target, documentation on civil defence, the story of the “Brierley Hill Spitfire,” and tributes to local war casualties. This moving tribute captures the town’s resilience and sacrifice.
Visitors last year praised the “uplifting” church atmosphere, “excellent exhibitions,” and “amazing stories about local heroes.” One person wrote: “Being in the church is uplifting. The amazing glass windows and the Brierley Hill Crystal.” Another said, “We had a lovely blessing celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary. We were married in this church in 1959.”
Part of the wider town celebration, it’s a short walk to Brierley Hill Library, St Mary’s Church, and the “Graves at Night” walk.

Heritage Open Day: St Mary's Church
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:30 | St Mary’s RC Church, 26 High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3AE, United Kingdom
Step inside one of Brierley Hill’s finest architectural treasures: St Mary’s Church, designed by celebrated Gothic Revival architect E. W. Pugin. This 19th-century masterpiece opens for special guided tours, offering insights into its unique design, heritage, and spiritual history.
Admire intricate wall paintings and stained glass, and enjoy a live organ recital in the church’s serene setting. Learn about the influence of Pugin’s vision and how it helped shape Victorian religious architecture across the country.
In the absence of our dear Helen Barley, with her harps, this year, organist Richard James has kindly agreed to hold two organ “demonstrations” between 10.30-11am and 11.30-12noon.

Visitors are encouraged to join him in the choir loft, during these sessions. Children to be accompanied by an adult, due to the steep steps to the loft.
The church’s friendly community offers light refreshments and a warm welcome.
The popular Mouse Trail will be back this year, along with stained glass effect colouring activities for visitors and refreshments will be available throughout.
This event forms part of the wider Brierley Hill Heritage Open Day. Visitors are encouraged to explore nearby venues such as St Michael’s Church with its wartime tributes, Brierley Hill Library’s historic artefacts, and the bustling market with its themed performances.
One past visitor shared: “Visitors appreciated the organ and harp performances – some even received impromptu harp lessons.” Another said, “A very enjoyable and worthwhile event.”

Heritage Open Day: Free BBQ, Family Fun, Exhibition at Albion Street Church
2025-09-20 10:00 - 14:00 | West Midlands
Join us at Albion Street Church for a joyful mix of heritage, hospitality, and hands-on family fun. This welcoming venue opens its doors with a free BBQ, children’s activities, and a chance to learn more about the church’s role in Brierley Hill’s spiritual and social life.
The church will be hosting the activities and BBQ in their community building The Storehouse, and the event features badge making, face painting, bouncy castle, and creative play — perfect for children and families. Last year, over 400 people attended and described the day as “full of life and community spirit.”
Inside, you’ll find a display of the church’s longstanding local history, documenting its mission, architectural features, and connections with generations of residents. Volunteers are on hand to guide visitors and share stories.
This vibrant stop is part of the wider Heritage Open Day programme. Combine your visit with nearby venues like Harry’s Café with its crafts and food, or Brierley Hill Market’s Peaky Blinders day, both just a short walk away. Round off your day with the Graves at Night walk or a reflective moment at St Mary’s Church.
Whether you’re here for the sausages, the stories, or the smiles — Albion Street offers a little something for everyone.

Heritage Open Week: Graves at Night - Tue 16th, Wed 17th, Thu 18th September
2025-09-16 19:50 - 2025-09-18 21:30 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
As dusk falls, step into the shadows of St Michael’s Churchyard and uncover the fascinating lives behind the headstones. The Graves at Night guided walk brings local history vividly to life, with carefully researched stories of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives.
You’ll hear about war heroes, industrial pioneers, tragic losses, and curious mysteries — all told with warmth and humour in true Brierley Hill fashion. Subtle lighting adds to the atmosphere, and the peaceful setting becomes a stage for voices from the past to be heard.
The walk has become a favourite in the town’s Heritage Open Day programme. Comments from past participants include:
“Such a fabulous day. The graveyard tour was amazing!”
“Wonderful weaving of stories and histories.”
“Thoroughly enjoyed the walk — informative and moving.”
“Great to see the community engagement.”
“The lighting of the graves really added to the experience. The story of the nun was especially appreciated – would love a women’s history walk one day.”
Ideal for those interested in genealogy, local history, or simply hearing a good story told well. Not to be missed — and perfectly timed to allow visits to other nearby venues during the day, including St Michael’s Church, Brierley Hill Library, and St Mary’s Church.

Heritage Open Week: Visit the Ringing Chamber for Sunday Ringing (14th Sept) or Come to a Ringing Practice (Fri 19th Sept)
2025-09-14 08:00 - 2025-09-19 21:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
For a truly rare Heritage Open Day experience, climb into the historic ringing chamber at St Michael’s Church and discover the powerful, rhythmic world of English change ringing.
The church’s eight bells, cast by the renowned Taylor Bellfoundry in 1899, were the first in the Black Country to be tuned using the Simpson Five-Tone principle — an innovation that shaped modern bellringing acoustics. Brierley Hill once boasted one of the region’s most outstanding peal bands, and now you have the chance to follow in their footsteps.
Visitors will:
Tour the ringing chamber, rarely open to the public.
Hear the bells in action during a live ringing session.
Try ringing a bell themselves, guided by experienced ringers.
Learn about the fascinating techniques and mathematical patterns known as “methods.”
Discover the unique heritage and dedication behind the art of tower bell ringing.
📅 Two opportunities are available:
Sunday Ringing Session
Date: Sunday, 14th September
Arrival: 09:50 | Ringing: 10:00–10:30
Max: 8 participants
Friday Practice Sessions
Date: Friday, 19th September
Two time slots: 7:30 PM and 8:15 PM (Max 8 per slot)
👉 Booking is essential at www.brierleyhill.net – these sessions fill quickly and are not available throughout the year.

EAT the STREET
2025-08-23 12:00 - 16:30 | Brierley Hill High Street, High Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3ET, United Kingdom
EAT the STREET 23rd August 12 to 4pm – An inside-out festival of food. Come and try our High Streets great food outlets, cafes, bakeries, butchers, delis and stalls. All participating food vendors will have ‘Secret Eats’ and ‘Off the Menu’ items for your taste buds to try. Just look for a poster and pop inside to ask what’s cooking. Did you know there are specials and secret snacks, burgers, shakes, cakes, tripple decker pork sandwiches and many other hiidden gems available here, all year round?
We are also working with Taste from India to create the YAMOSA! An EAST meets WEST MIDS – BLACK COUNTRY FUSION street food that will blow your freakin mind. The only way to try it is buy it, so get yours while you can. Big ingredients reveal on BBC Radio WM Thursday Breakfast show. All proceeds from YAMOSA sales will go to the Sands United FC Dudley baby loss charity.
There is entertainment too…
On Saturday 23rd of August from 12 to 4pm.
12pm to 1pm Slick 6 Choir at Brierley Hill Market Hall Café, singing all your favorite tunes, but nicely…
1pm to 2pm Kasperia – Classic rock with a fresh modern twist will be playing in the new Lion’s Way walkthrough next to the Brier Rose public house.
2pm to 3.30pm Food Fun at the library for all. Fun family workshop to create your fantasy plate of food. Brierley Hill library will also be showcasing all of their cookery and recipe books for all ages during the event. Badgemaking iis also available with special EAT the STREET templates, or create your own one-off badge.
Feel free to come along and enjoy your food with the entertainment. Or just find a nice bench near by. There is also a large CIVIIC GREEN park right in front of the police station, where you can have a more horizontal picnic.
If you are a food retailer in Brierley Hill High Street and we have not managed to sign you up yet please contact us at culture@brierleyhill.net. We have tried to get to as many as possible, but some of you were busy with a lot of cuustomers when we came around. We will continue to try and get to you between now and the event.
Look out for stewards in PINK HI-VIZ on the day. These Brierley Hill Pointers will help you find your way around and guide you to the activities.
Brierley Hill Community Forum – Cultural Consortium

Cake Not Hate - Treasure Hunt Picnic
2025-06-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Brierley Hill Town Centre
Fun for all the family! Do you like cake, samosas and freshly baked crusty cobs? Discover our town’s treasured foods and share in musical entertainment and activities at our community picnic. We have 25 free places available for this event.
Simply click RSVP at the bottom of this page to reserve your place. Please note maximum of 5 per booking. Note start times vary from 11am to 11.30am. You will be sent your arrival time and town centre start venue a few days after you RSVP.
Come to Brierley Hill town centre on Saturday 21st June to collect your picnic bag and begin the treasure hunt. Follow the map to a secret location, picking up goodies along the way, ready to join our community picnic with your fellow treasure hunters!
The treasure hunt involves a walk around the high street shopping areas followed by a short walk to the picnic venue. The route is wheelchair accessible and step-free, and there’s an accessible toilet at the venue.
The event will run from your start time to 2pm.

Brierley Hill at War - guided walk
2025-03-23 11:00 - 13:00 | The Swan, Brettell Lane, Brierley Hill, 10 Brettell Lane, Amblecote, West Midlands, DY8 4Bn, United Kingdom
YOUR PUB NEEDS YOU!

FREE guided walk through our war time history in aid of the Royal British Legion

The walk will set off from The Swan, Brettell Lane on Sunday the 23rd of March at 11am, with the aim of looking at and walking through the shared war time history along Brettell Lane and into Brierley Hill.

The tour will take in the industrial past as a base for ways in which the local people served their country in the 1st and 2nd world wars. Observing an industrial landscape that fed the war effort and discovering stories of the people who fought here and overseas during both wars.

Expect to see historic buildings and spaces including the canals, parks, graveyards, war memorials, churches, a pig tunnel and a recently excavated WW2 ROC lookout towers foundations. There will be stories of bombings & blackouts, crashing air crews, the Home Guard, POWs and American G.I.’s.

It will be a circular route with some steep paths taking approximately two hours, following which the Swan will generously be serving hot cobs on the return to the pub.

All are welcome but there are limited places for this walk. Please only sign up if you can definitely come on the day. Click the RSVP link to reserve your place. All collections and donations on the day will go to the Royal British Legion.

St Michael's Church - Free to Explore!
2024-09-14 10:00 - 15:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
See inside the Brierley Hill’s oldest building (1765). Now grade 2 listed. Look around the church – the inside will surprise you – visit the historic graveyard (self guided tour available). Learn about the memorials in the church and admire the stained glass windows. At the same venue there will be Stained Glass based activities, Craft Book making, handbell ringing and the rare opportunity to visit the bell tower and ringing room.

Albion Street Church - Free to explore
2024-09-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Albion Street Church, Albion Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EE, United Kingdom
Built in 1882 this building served initially as a Congregationalist Church. During the Second World War, Brierley Hill’s Air Raid Patrol centre was located here. The inside of the building has been extensively refurbished in the last few years and this is an opportunity to see a fine example of what can be done to adapt an old building for modern use. A chance to explore and a historic exhibition available.

Former Library and Technical Institute
2024-09-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Technical Insitute and Library, Moor Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, United Kingdom
Work is ongoing on this fabulous building. Opened in 1904 as a Technical Institute, Art School and college, the building has some fine examples of Terracotta figures, designed by Mart Masters Gibbons and Oaken. Inside are tiles donated by the famous Gibbons and Hinton tile factory and admirable stained glass. The outside of the building is being renovated as part of the council’s Heritage Action Zone project, funded by Historic England. Inside work is being done to convert the building to residential uses. This is a super opportunity to visit the building part way through the conversion.

Graves at Night - the original
2024-09-12 19:45 - 21:30 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Explore the history of Brierley Hill through the stories of the people who, literally, made the town. This guided walk is delivered after dusk to give added atmosphere as we walk around the graveyard. This walk has “sold out” (there’s no fee for the walk) in previous years and has received rave reviews (blushes!). Bring your own torch – some are available to borrow, but your own may be better and dress appropriately for an evening walk. Remember there may be rainy weather too. Good footwear essential. RSVP to book your place.

Graves at Night 2 – Commonwealth Graves and the War Memorial
2024-09-10 19:45 - 21:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Building on the popular Heritage Open Days Graves at Night walks held in the last two years, this successor walk looks at some the most significant graves in the churchyard: The Commonwealth War Graves. The walk will look at some of the 21 CWGC graves in the churchyard and tell the stories behind them. We will also visit the town War Memorial to learn of the fight to get it funded and erected, plus details of the more than 300 names on it. As a special added bonus, participants will receive a copy of the 36 page War Memorial Centenary Booklet.

Graves at Night 2 - Commonwealth Graves and the War Memorial
2024-09-09 19:45 - 21:00 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Building on the popular Heritage Open Days Graves at Night walks held in the last two years, this successor walk looks at some the most significant graves in the churchyard: The Commonwealth War Graves. The walk will look at some of the 21 CWGC graves in the churchyard and tell the stories behind them. We will also visit the town War Memorial to learn of the fight to get it funded and erected, plus details of the more than 300 names on it. As a special added bonus, participants will receive a copy of the 36 page War Memorial Centenary Booklet. Please note: YOU MUST RSVP to register for this walk – there are limited spaces.

Walk of Remembrance
2023-09-16 14:00 - 15:30 | St Michael’s Church, Bell Street South, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 3EX, United Kingdom
Learn the story of Brierley Hill’s war memorial and the men commemorated on it. Visit the Commonwealth War Graves and family memorials in St Michael’s Churchyard. Visit the memorials inside the church too in this wonderful, emotional and moving walk. Sensible footwear needed, and be prepared for all weathers. Booking required for safety reasons as there is a little bit of road walking to the memorial.

St Michael's Church - Explore, take part, enjoy!
2023-09-16 10:00 - 15:00 | West Midlands
Visit Brierley Hill’s oldest building. Built in 1765 almost all historic events have passed through this church. There’s lots of things to do for all ages:
1000-1200 Teddy bear parachute jumps from the top of the tower (weather permitting)
Handbells 1030, 1130 and 1230
1000-1200 Visit the ringing room and chime one of the 125 year old church bells
Badge making with the library – all day
Rattle and Rhyme 1000
Heritage Poetry at noon

Brierley Hill Technical Institute and Library, Moor Street
2023-09-16 10:00 - 14:00 | Technical Insitute and Library, Moor Street, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, United Kingdom
An extraordinary opportunity to view the inside of this landmark building in Brierley Hill. The building served for 70 years as the town’s library and also housed Brierley Hill Technical Institute and Art School. Recent social media posts illustrate the many happy memories this building holds. This may be the last opportunity to see the inside of the building before a new use is found.
1904 tour
To whet your appetite here is a transcription of a 1904 newspaper article which describes the building at its opening. The rooms and features are still recognisable today:
The new buildings are imposing block, and constitute the finest erection in the urban district.
The only regret felt is that the structure is not erected in High Street, but, as was stated at the time the negotiations for a site were in progress, it was impossible to obtain land in the main street at anything like the cost which it was proposed to spend in this direction. In one instance a sum of £3,000 for an acceptable site was mentioned, but this, as well as one or two other offers, were deemed to be far beyond the means at dispose, and eventually the Bell Street and Moor Street site was adopted.
The buildings give the appearance of great strength and durability, and are rich in ornamentation and most pleasing to the eye.
They have an elevation to Moor Street, on the technical side, of 95 feet, whilst the free library elevation to Bell Street extends for a length of 54 feet.
The whole of the exterior walls are of best red Ketley bricks and terra cotta, also supplied by the Ketley Brick Company.
The entrance to the technical school is in Moor Street and that to the free library in Bell Street.
The richly-ornamented terra-cotta around the respective doorways constitutes one of the striking features of the structure.
There are heavy semi-circular arches supported by ornate buildings, and surmounting each entrance is an ornamental niche, that over the free library containing a shield upon which is described “Libri,” and over the technical institute is a similar figure grasping a shield with the inscription “Art.” These figures were modelled by Mr. A. Gibbons, master of the art classes, and Mr. A. Oakden, his assistant.
The corner of the building is nicely rounded off by a circular window in each of the two storeys, and above rises a fine terra-cotta dome of imposing proportions.
The roof of slate is bounded by an ornamental parapet wall, and a turret of oak springs from the centre. The foul air from all the rooms is carried to the turret by shafts.
Inside the main entrance in Moor Street is a vestibule spanned by an elliptical arch leading into the corridor from which access is gain to the rooms on the ground floor.
The first of these – a small one – is directly on the left, and is set apart for the private use of the master for interviews with intending pupils, and other purposes.
The floors of the corridors are of Terasso paving, and the sides from the vestibule, also up the staircase and upper corridors are lined with a dado of fancy glazed tiles of green tints, manufactured by Messrs Gibbons, Hinton and Co., by who part were given as a contribution to the building. A special feature, too, has been made of the plastering, to which reference has previously been made in our columns as the work has proceeded.
The ceilings and cornices are finished with beautiful mouldings, this work being most commendably done by Mr. V. Lydiatt, Dudley.
The room directly in front of the Moor Street entrance was originally intended as a cloak room for students, but has now been devoted to clay-moulding, for which no other room was available, and cloak room accommodation will be made elsewhere.
To the right is the laboratory, 41ft by 25ft, which will be fitted up by Messrs W. and J. George, Ltd., Birmingham with the latest and most approved apparatus for chemical, physical and metallurgical experiments.
Adjoining is the lecture theatre, where class instruction in science, languages, etc, will be given. Returning along the corridor and beyond the vestibule, there is on the left a dark room, which is let to the Brierley Hill Camera Club.
The other portions of the technical side are upstairs, reached by two wide flights of stone steps, bounded by an artistic iron balustrade.
At the top of the first flight of steps is a semi circular topped window with coloured glass, 17ft high by 9ft wide, the large centre panel bearing the emblem of painting.
On reaching the upper storey there is a ladies’ retiring room, two art rooms run along the portion of the structure facing Moor Street, and there is a third spacious room above the lecture theatre.
At the junction of the two streets is the committee room, 30ft by 25ft, where in the future the monthly meetings of the Urban Council and Free Library Committee will be held. It is intended to have this room elaborately fitted as a Council Chamber.
Descending the stairs, a door to the right admits to the reading room of the free library, and from this by way of the vestibule inside the entrance doors the lending library is reached, both rooms being spacious and light, and, like those of the technical school, lofty and richly-ornated in cornicing and mouldings.
The entrance doors to the Free Library and Technical Insitute are of Spanish mahogany.
Messrs. Skelding and Co., Dudley, have laid the electric light fittings throughout and a gas service is also laid on. Under the lecture theatre is a chamber containing a low pressure heating apparatus supplied by Messrs. Jones and Attwood, Stourbridge.
Commemorative Tablets
Three brass commemorative tablets were erected in the building, one in the Technical Institute and two in the Free Library.
That in the Institute was inscribed as follows:-
“This tablet commemorates the opening on the 15th day of February, 1904, of the Brierley Hill Technical Institute by County Alderman John Addison, who was chairman of the Technical Instruction Committee from its foundation in 1891 to 1903.”
In the vestibule of the free library the tablet bears the following:-
“This public library was erected by the munificence of Andrew Carnegie, Esq., L.L.D., of Skibo Castle, N.B. ; opened 15th February, 1904.”
The third tablet, which is in the reading room of the library contains an inscription as appended:-
“This tablet commemorates the opening on the 15th day of February, 1904, of this Public Library and Reading Room by Mark Rollinson, Esquire, Chairman of the Free Library Committee.”
The key which was presented to Mr. Mark Rollinson contained the following inscription:-
“Presented to Mark Rollinson, Esq., by J. L. Harpur, architect, February 15th, 10904, on the occasion of the opening of the new Free Library, Brierley Hill.”
The inscription on the key presented to Mr Addison, who opened the Technical Institute, was in similar terms.
The Cost
It is not possible to give more than an approximate estimate of the cost which the buildings will entail, but roughly the round figure of £7,000 will not be far from the sum involved.
The principal contributions are: Mr Carnegie’s munificent gift of £2,000, the executors of John Hall (from whom the site was acquired) £130, the Earl of Dudley, £100, Mr W. H. Foster £100, Mr. E. E. Cooper £50, the Ketley Brick Company £50, Messrs Gibbons, Hinton and Co., tiles to value of £20, Mr Alfred Marsh, £20, Messrs John Hall’s Glazed Brick Works Limited, materials valued at £20 etc.
The Staffordshire Country Council gave a building grant of £800, and in addition a sum of £300 to the provision of furniture, apparatus, etc, in the Technical Institute. Both these grants are, however, subject to alteration, and in the event of the ultimate cost being an increase on the original estimate, these amounts will, it is believed, be raised to one-third each of the actual expenditure on the technical instate building. The bazaar which was held last year with the primary object of raising the money required for the site yielded, with donations, a sum of nearly £600, and these items, together with subscriptions of small value to those above enumerated, provide a sum of about £4,000. The balance required for the outlay will be the subject of a public load.
County Express 20 Feb 1914
