Black Country Museum

The bank holiday weekend meant a day out for me and Luke. We decided to go to the black country museum to learn a bit more about our culture.

The "Black Country" is an area south of Birmingham. During the industrial revolution, it became one of the most heavily industrialized parts of Britain with coal and steel mining producing a high level of air pollution. The name, therefore, comes from the black soot which clouded over the area.

The museum boasts fascinating insights into life in the area during Victorian times. There's the opportunity to have a guided tour around a former working mine and a lesson in the old school. All the buildings in the museum were once lived in, worked in or used somewhere in the Black Country. 

All the shops and buildings have actors or visitors to explain the history of the same. The bakery sells fresh traditional cakes and the sweet shop has an abundance of old fashioned sweets in glass jars.  

The fish and chips on their own are enough to make you want to go there. Cooked in beef dripping, they melt in your mouth. Downside? The queue is always 20 minutes long. 110% worth it though. 

After years at uni of being knocked for my accent and dialect, it's so easy to forget your heritage and roots. But this day out taught me a lot and made me value where I come from.

If anyone is ever in and around the area I would highly recommend a visit here. Plenty to do for all ages - the adults can enjoy a pint in the old fashioned pub whilst watching their little ones try their hand at hoop and stick or cup and ball. There's also a big skipping rope in the street which I was so tempted to show them how it's done ;)