The Black Country places where amazing things happened
The Black Country is certainly a unique place – and that’s not just because of the accent. It’s the birthplace of megastars[1], boasts some of the best parks[2] and is home to a TikTok famous museum[3]. Queen Victoria was said to have closed her carriage curtains[4] when travelling through the region, as she was offended by the sight of the industrial landscape.
But the streets all have a story to tell, despite many being long forgotten. Below you’ll find a selection of places where incredible things happened but to look at them today, you’d never know. You may even pass some of them regularly and have no idea of the significance.
Holbeche House, Wall Heath
Holbeche House (Image: Gail Middleton)
This boarded-up former care home is where the Gunpowder Plotters fled in 1605 after hearing Guy Fawkes had been arrested. Several were injured in the mansion when an explosion occurred as they dried their powder in front of an open fire. Many were captured or killed within the Grade II listed building as the King’s men stormed the house, with some walls believed to have bullet holes still visible from muskets used.
Stephenson Avenue, Walsall
Twelve two-bedroom homes have been built on the site of the former Three Men in a Boat pub in Beechdale, where rock history was once made.
Noddy Holder was a regular performer there with the N’Betweens, then as Ambrose Slade, where they had their first paid booking before becoming Slade.
Guest Hospital, Dudley
The site was one of the locations used for the zombie movie starring Glenn Close and Gemma Arterton (Image: Birmingham Mail)
Parts of the site, located off Tipton Road, are still used as an outpatients centre, but some abandoned buildings have welcomed Hollywood stars. It was used as a key location for The Girl with All the Gifts[6], starring Glenn Close, Gemma Arterton[7] and Paddy Condisine. Producer Camille Gatin said she came across the location on an urban explorer website, adding: “It wasn’t depressing and horrible.
It was just a place that overnight stopped being useful but there were lots of things that showed the life that happened there. We were told it had been demolished so we ruled it out. “It wasn’t until we came to Dudley[8] that our location manager said it was very much still standing and no one had ever shot here.”
Douglas Road, Dudley
This was the home Sir Lenny Henry grew up in.
The road holds a special place in the actor’s heart as he named his own production company after it. He even had his MOBO Awards ‘Paving The Way’ stone laid in nearby Buffery Park, where he has fond memories of playing as a child.
Bilston Street, Wolverhampton
The city centre street was awash with thousands of adoring fans of the Royal family[9] back in July 31, 1992. Crowds lined the street eager to get a glimpse of Princess Diana as she visited to open the new GBP5million police headquarters.
Diana smiled as she greeted people – many of whom were waving Union Jack flags.
Potters Lane, Wednesbury
A Guinness World Record was set in Wednesbury (Image: Adam Rogers of Midland Photo Services)
A Guinness World Record was broken in this street back in August 2012. Around 2,300 people helped smash the record for the most Bhangra dancers performing at one time. The previous record was 2,100 people.
We know there are loads more Black Country stories that fly under the radar.
Feel free to share any you know in the comments below.
References
- ^ birthplace of megastars (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ best parks (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ TikTok famous museum (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ closed her carriage curtains (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ From faggots and ‘pays’ to Yam Yams – The complete A-Z of the Black Country (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ The Girl with All the Gifts (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Gemma Arterton (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Dudley (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
- ^ Royal family (www.birminghammail.co.uk)