Once the centre of British glass making, Stourbridge lies on the banks of the River Stour west of Birmingham. Glass was produced here from the early 17th century following the arrival of Huguenot coal miners and by 1861, more than 1,000 local residents were employed in the industry.
Things to do in Stourbridge
On the southern edge of the town centre is Mary Stevens Park, a popular green space with an outdoor gym, a children’s playground and a croquet lawn. Centred around the duck-filled waters of the Heath Pool, it has been open to the public since 1931. In the heart of the park is a historic bandstand where live music concerts are occasionally held.
If you’re interested in the area’s glass-making traditions, visit the Red House Glass Cone, a 27-metre-high brick structure that was raised in 1790. Together with its underground tunnels, it’s open to the public as a museum and functions as a studio workshop for ceramicists and textile artists. You can peer into the cone’s interior before purchasing locally-made handicrafts at the on-site store.
A short drive west of Stourbridge is Kinver Edge, a high sandstone escarpment with two historic hill forts. Managed by the National Trust, it’s also home to the last troglodyte dwellings to be occupied in England. In the restored rock house of “Holy Austin”, you can see how residents lived here until the 1960s. After soaking up the magnificent views across the West Midlands, you can enjoy cake and coffee in the tea room.
Getting around Stourbridge
Stourbridge is around 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of Birmingham and 45 minutes from Birmingham Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Regular trains connect to the Stourbridge Town railway station and buses travel throughout the area.