Heritage Open Days: Free events taking place across the Black Country, Staffordshire and the Wyre Forest

They will be welcoming visitors of all ages for the annual celebration of the country’s architecture and culture.

Hundreds of years of history will be proudly on display with dozens of heritage sites in the Black Country, Staffordshire and Wyre Forest getting involved to showcase hidden gems from Thursday, September 7 to Sunday, September 10.

Here is our guide to some of the events taking place:

WOLVERHAMPTON

The first event in the city will give visitors a glimpse inside St Andrew’s Church in Whitmore Reans.

It as was built in the 1960s to a striking modern design by Richard Twentyman and houses an abstract stained glass window designed by John Piper and made by Patrick Reyntiens.

The church is open to visitor s between 10am and 6pm on Friday, September 8.

If you’ve ever wondering what happens to the water you pour down the sink then a visit to Barnhurst Sewage Treatment Works to Oxley Moor Road will be up your street.

There are scheduled site tours where visitors be able to see the journey the sewage takes once it enters the site.

It is open 10am until 3pm on Friday, September 8 and on Saturday, September 9.

For just 70 hours in 1651 Moseley Old Hall in Fordhouses protected the future King of England, Charles Stuart, from discovery by Parliament soldiers. Fearing for his life the young man hid in an apparently ordinary home, helped by a family and their friends.

Visitors be thrown into the adventure for just one day, with members of the Sealed Knot and costumed characters bringing the story to life between 10.30am and 4pm on Saturday, September 9.

St Peter and St Paul Roman Catholic Church in North Street is open for tours between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, September 9.

Visitors can explore the gardens or step inside the The Mander family’s home at Wightwick Manor.

It will be open from 10.30am until 5pm on Saturday, September 9.

While there is a chance to experience to experience life as a Victorian schoolchild at Newhampton Arts Centre.

There will be guided tours of the site, which was previously the Municipal Grammar School, a family treasure hunt and the opportunity to share memories and mementoes. Refreshments will also be available.

It will be open from 12pm until 5pm on Sunday, September 10.

DUDLEY

Between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, September 9, visitors will have a rare opportunity to see inside the Grade II* listed Coroner’s Court, in St James’s Road, Dudley.

It was designed by Harvey and Wicks and built between 1924 and 1928 as part of a group of civic buildings which also includes the Town Hall and the Memorial Tower. The courtroom has remained largely unchanged and retains its original fittings and furnishings. Also freely available on the day will be printed material showing town trails which can guide visitors to other places of interest around the town.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for planning and economic development said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for anyone interested in history, architecture or the law to come in and view this lovely building, which is normally closed to the general public.

“Dudley borough has a very proud heritage and many historically important buildings, and it is important the council opens its doors to visitors so people can come and look around. We should all celebrate our heritage.”

St Edmund King and Martyr, known locally as Bottom Church, because it is at the bottom of hill near Dudley Castle, will be welcoming visitors between 10am and 4pm on Saturday, September 9.

It contains a great deal of the social history of the town in the early days of its development as a centre of the industrial revolution.

There is a chance to join curators at the Black Country Museum to find out about their work behind the scenes and see some of the hidden treasures and curiosities.

The Hidden Objects Tour will include a rare opportunity to tour our collection stores and get up close to some of our hidden treasures and curiosities.

The event will run from 2.30pm until 4.30pm on Saturday, September 9. Places need to be booked on 0121 520 8054.

Also opening its doors on Saturday, September 9 will be Dudley’s Top Church.

The interior of of St Thomas with St Luke is said to be remarkable because the Grade 2* building was one of the first churches to be constructed using cast iron. It opened in 1818 when Dudley was the boom town of the Industrial revolution.

People can visit between 10am and 4pm.

SANDWELL

People can go behind closed doors at Haden Hill House, Haden Hill House Museum, off Barrs Road, Cradley Heath.

Visitors between 11am and 3pm on Thursday, September 7, can unlock and discover some of the secrets of the attic and store rooms at this Victorian gentleman’s residence.

The museum is also open Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10.

While There will also be Proms in the Park at the museum from 2pm until 6pm on Sunday, September 10.

There is also a rare chance to visit Haden Old Hall, which is next to Haden Hill House and not often open to the public. The hall, which will be open between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, September 9, and Sunday, September 10, was probably built in the late 1600s as the Haden family grew in wealth and status.

Families can also get a closer look at the impressive belvedere or tower which is undergoing restoration at Oak House in Oak Road, West Bromwich. This 17th century Yeoman farmer’s house was extended and developed in the 1650s as the owners became wealthier.

Visitors can learn about the belvedere and its restoration, enjoy an introductory talk and take a peep behind doors not normally open to the public at 2.30pm and 3.45pm on Thursday, September 7 and Sunday, September 10.

Also throwing open its doors will be Galton Valley Pumping Station, Old Mainline Canal Towpath, off Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick.

Situated on the Birmingham Main Line Canal, Galton Valley Pumping Station first opened in 1892 to pump water from the lower Birmingham New Main Line to the high Old Main Line Canal.

This was to replace the water from the higher level when boats went through the Smethwick Locks. It will be open 10am until 3pm on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10.

At 10am and noon each day there will be a guided walk.

There will be ‘medieval mayhem’ at the Manor House Museum, Hall Green Road, West Bromwich on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10 from 11am until 3pm.

The Manor House will be welcoming the Buckinghams Retinue, who will be putting up their medieval encampment in the grounds of the 13th century house.

They will be recreating the time we now call The Wars of the Roses, displaying an encampment with visitor activities – military and civilian.

Visitors can see the arms, armour and firepower available to a medieval army and try on a helmet or hold a sword.

Those interested in more gentle activities can try out medieval dancing. Historian Ian Bott is giving an illustrated talk on the Manor House during the last 800 years. There will be free guided tours and medieval food tastings too. It will be open from 11am until 3pm on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10. Between 2pm and 5pm on Sunday, September 10, people can visit the childhood home of Francis Asbury; the first Methodist Bishop of the USA.

Although his story is little known in Britain he is considered one of the founding fathers of America.

His writings about his travels during the American War of Independence are fascinating historical resources on show at Bishop Asbury Cottage in Newton Road, West Bromwich.

Councillor Richard Marshall, Sandwell’s cabinet member for leisure, said: “It’s fantastic for Sandwell’s heritage to be showcased alongside the heritage of other areas around the county – we have some amazing places to be proud of which are as fascinating.

“And they are as important as historic buildings and sites anywhere in the country and we really want people to appreciate their own local history and the importance of these sites.

“What is great about all these activities is they’re free to explore.” Visitors can also learn about the belvedere and its restoration, enjoy an introductory talk and take a peep behind doors not normally open to the public at 2.30pm and 3.45pm on Thursday, September 7 and Sunday, September 10.

Also throwing open its doors to history buffs will be Galton Valley Pumping Station, Old Mainline Canal Towpath, off Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick.

Situated on the Birmingham Main Line Canal, Galton Valley Pumping Station first opened in 1892 to pump water from the lower Birmingham New Main Line to the high Old Main Line Canal during its period of use.

This was to replace the water from the higher level when boats went through the Smethwick Locks.

It will be taking place between 10am until 3pm on Saturday, September 9 and Sunday, September 10.

At 10am and noon each day there will be a guided walk for anyone wishing to take part.

WALSALL

St Matthew’s Parish Church is ready to welcome people between 7pm and 9pm on Friday, September 8 and from 9.30am until 1.30pm on Saturday, September 9.

Visitors will be able to learn more about its past including the 12th century crypt, including parts of the old east wall of the medieval church and the 15th century chancel, with a set of 18 finely carved misericords, or choir stalls.

On the Saturday visitors can climb the steps to visit the ringing chamber for a talk about bells and ringing. There will be a demonstration of ringing and an opportunity for some to have a go – with support from an instructor.

People can also visit the clock chamber. There is also an opportunity to step back into the past at the Locksmith’s House in Willenhall. The property celebrates the efforts of the small family-run lock-making businesses which thrived over a century ago.

The house is recreated with the actual belongings and furniture of the Hodson family of lock makers, the last inhabitants of 54 New Road, Willenhall. The working class family home is accompanied by a two-storey workshop building and a working forge and machinery.

People can pop in to see the blacksmith in action and see the lock display gallery. They can see demonstrations in the gas lit rooms, hear the clatter of belt driven machinery in the workshop and find out more about the trade that made Willenhall famous. It will be open from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, September 9.

Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Aldridge is also joining in the festival. Normally open for a small entry charge, for the weekend only admission will be free with an opportunity to look at examples of locally built and operated buses, small commercials, bikes and other exhibits including large engines and axles. There are also many other smaller displays of transport related artefacts.

It may also be possible to have a short ride on one of the buses. The museum is open from 10.30am until 4pm on Saturday, September 9 and on Sunday, September 10.

STAFFORD

Ringers at Stafford St Mary’s Collegiate Church will be demonstrating their talents from 12pm until 3pm on Saturday, September 9.

Visitors can ascend the spiral staircase to see the history and heritage of the 10 bells. They can watch ringing take place in the unique English style and try holding a bell rope.

On the walls are boards recording the past performances of ringers celebrating many events and people can also see the Stafford leather jack, a very unusual vessel. It carries the names of the bell ringers between 1750 and 1798.

St Chad’s Church in Stafford will also be welcoming people to tour the Norman building which is known for its fine 12th century Romanesque/Norman stone carvings including beaked heads and Green men.

A children’s activity trail will also be available and there will be a talk at 2.30pm on Saturday, September 9 by Andrew Baker titled St Chad’s, Green men and Rediscovering Nature in the 12th Century.

The church will be open from 11am until 3pm on Friday, September 8, from 10am until 6pm on Saturday, September 9 and from 12.30pm until 2.30pm on Sunday, September 10.

There is a chance to learn more about Stafford’s William Salt Library with behind the scene tours which explore the collection, its key features and the unique history of the library that houses it.

It’s also an opportunity to learn about some of the more weird and wonderful items in the collection, with special pieces out on display together for the first time.

There will be a family craft activity in the courtyard for creative fingers exploring hidden stories and secret messages.

The event runs from 10am until 2.30pm on Saturday, September 9 with tours at 10.30am, noon and 1.30pm.

Stafford’s County Buildings in Martin Street will also be open from 10am until 4pm on Saturday, September 9.

They were first brought into use more than100 years ago in October 1895.

Designed by an emerging young architect, Henry Hare, who in 1892 won a competition for the design of a new council hall in which county councillors could meet to conduct their business, and which would provide accommodation for the council’s officials.

Constructed by a builder from Wolverhampton, Henry Lovatt, the work took over two years to complete and a second campaign of building in 1900 and 1902 saw the addition of the Members Library.

Members of Stafford Historic and Civic Society will provide full guided tours.

While visitors to Stafford Castle on Sunday, September 10 can try on armour and costumes from the medieval period.

There will also be guided tours of the castle keep between 11am and 4pm.

WYRE FOREST

On Sunday, September 10, there is a chance to was one of the last working water powered forge mills in Britain.

Located in the village of Churchill between Stourbridge and Kidderminster, it was used to produce iron hand tools such as spades, shovels and ladles, and has changed little in character since 1900. The forge’s two waterwheels will be turning during the open day, driving the crocodile shears and the workshop line shafting.

It will be open between 2pm and 5pm.

A sound and light show will take place by the riverside between 8pm and 9.30pm on Sunday, September 10.

The Son et Lumiere performance in Bewdley will tell the story of the town since the 13th century.

It will be told through narration, music and song, lighting effects will change the colour of the river.