Discover West Bromwich

West Bromwich offers a range of ways to spend your stay: historic buildings, parkland and hands-on activities. Which of these you focus on can shape your travel plans. The places below range from architectural history and art to nature experiences, tours and practical demonstrations.

Churches, halls and houses from different centuries

Different historical reference points come together at the Church of St Peter. The church was built in 1857–1858 to designs by Thomas Johnson of Lichfield. It is listed as a Grade II building and is considered an example of the Decorated style of the early 14th century. The construction date and stylistic reference describe different aspects. The church also features high-quality stained-glass windows by A. E. Lemmon, including the east window, “Te Deum.”

The Central Public Library is a public library, built in 1907 by Stephen J Holliday of West Bromwich. It adds an early 20th-century building to the history of churches and houses. If you are interested in the chronology, you can compare the construction dates of the different buildings and their distinct architectural references.

Oak House is a timber-framed house belonging to a yeoman farmer, built around 1620. Oak House Museum is furnished with 17th-century furniture. The house and its furnishings therefore share a historical setting. The grounds also have a children’s playground, which is available to visitors during the museum’s opening hours. Check the latest visitor information in advance.

Bromwich Hall was built in the 1270s by Richard de Marnham. The Great Hall is considered to be the earliest construction of its kind in a surviving building in the country. The Hall and Oak House therefore offer different points of interest: one highlights 13th-century building history and a particularly noteworthy construction, while the other is a timber-framed house dating from around 1620, with 17th-century furnishings.

Parks and woodland

Dartmouth Park was laid out in 1876 by John Maclean to offer views across the Sandwell Valley. The park includes ornamental ponds. Its design and landscape views provide a different focus from the architectural history of the halls and houses. Sot's Hole Local Nature Reserve, meanwhile, covers more than five hectares of one of Sandwell’s oldest woodland areas. A surfaced path through the nature reserve connects with other paths leading to Sandwell Valley Country Park. As path conditions can change, check the latest information before your visit.

Demonstrations, animals and a stadium tour

The Blacksmithing Experience offers live demonstrations and hands-on “Have a go” blacksmithing sessions. Dates and participation requirements may change; check the latest information in advance. Forge Mill Farm is home to many animals, including rare breeds. An interactive educational tour covers animal welfare and where our food comes from. Programme details and the animals on site may change.

The Hawthorns has been the home stadium of West Bromwich Albion F.C. since 1900. A behind-the-scenes tour is also available. Tour availability and conditions may change; check the latest information if this is important to your plans. These hands-on activities offer distinct experiences: blacksmithing demonstrations and sessions focus on the craft, the tour at Forge Mill Farm combines animals with educational content, and The Hawthorns offers a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium.

If you are mainly interested in architectural history, you will plan differently from someone whose focus is parkland or a practical demonstration. First decide which of these themes matter to you, then compare hotel options based on your personal requirements.

Discover more destinations: Oldbury

Back to the main travel overview: Sandwell.