20 Attractions to Explore Near Dudley Zoo and Castle

Dudley Castle is a ruined medieval castle contained within Dudley Zoological Gardens. The castle was begun shortly after the Norman Conquest, destroyed by Henry II, rebuilt in the late 13th century, slighted by Parliament after the Civil War, and finally destroyed by fire in 1750.In the nineteenth and early twentieth century the site was used for fêtes and pageants. Today Dudley Zoo is located on its grounds. It is also a Grade I listed building. Localised structural problems lead to it being pl

Dudley Museum and Art Gallery was a public museum and art gallery located in the town centre of Dudley in the West Midlands, England. It was opened in 1883, situated within buildings on St James's Road, and remained at that site until its closure in 2016. Some of the museum collections have since been relocated to the Dudley Archives centre on Tipton Road. Local heroes like football legend Duncan Edwards can be seen alongside the Museum's geological collection, which includes over 15,000 fossil,

Priory Park is a public park located in Dudley, West Midlands, England, just north of the town centre. It is in the historic grounds of Dudley Priory. The park covers an area of 7.7 hectares . It has a wooded area, playing fields and a lily pond. It also has tennis and basketball courts, a bowling green, a cricket area a five-a-side football pitch and an orienteering course.

Black Country Living Museum is a remarkable place to explore, enjoy and spend time. Set in a landscape of 26 acres, it is one of the most extraordinary open-air museums in the UK; offering a glimpse into 300 years of history like no other. The museum occupies 105,000 square metres (26 acres) of former industrial land partly reclaimed from a former railway goods yard, disused lime kilns, canal arm and former coal pits.

The Dudley Canal is a canal passing through Dudley in the West Midlands of England. The canal is part of the English and Welsh connected network of navigable inland waterways, and in particular forms part of the popular Stourport Ring narrowboat cruising route. The canal tunnels under the limestone hills in the area are some of the longest in the country.

The Wren's Nest is a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Dudley Metropolitan Borough, north west of the town centre of Dudley, in the West Midlands of England. It is one of the most important geological locations in Britain. The site is home to a number of species of birds and locally rare flora, such as Scabiosa columbaria, milkwort and quaking grass. The caverns are also a nationally important hibernation site for seven different species of bat.

The Shri Venkateswara Temple is one of the largest temple for the deity Shri Venkateswara in Europe. It is on Dudley Road East, A457 behind the Meadows School in Tividale, West Midlands,England, on the border between Tipton and Oldbury; it was designed in the style of the Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati, India, which is the second busiest and richest religious centre in the world after the Vatican. On site facilities include a large community centre, a gatehouse and a Gandhi Peace Cent

Saltwells Nature Reserve is one of the largest urban nature reserves in the UK. It is home to ancient bluebell woods, dragonfly filled wetlands and orchid covered grasslands making it well worth exploring. The reserve, created in 1981, covers 247 acres and includes Saltwells Wood and part of Netherton Hill within its boundaries. The reserve encloses two Sites of Special Scientific Interest and one scheduled ancient monument.

Oak House in West Bromwich is a delightful half-timbered yeoman farmer's house built about 1620 with brick additions at the rear built in the 1650s as the family wealth and status grew. The Oak House Museum boasts some fine panelling and is furnished with 17th century furniture. The house is set in its own grounds with a children’s playground on site which is available to visitors during opening hours.

Haden Hill House Museum in Cradley Heath is a late Victorian gentleman's residence furnished in period style, surrounded by 55 acres of award-winning parkland. Although the Victorian house is furnished as a museum with Victorian objects, Haden Old Hall is now largely a shell with some furniture and interpretation after it was damaged by fire and partly restored. It is now a perfect setting for the small and intimate wedding ceremonies.

Baggeridge Country Park is a beautiful area of countryside on the doorstep of the Black Country, with a great range of facilities on offer. The park has been a Green Flag winner every year since 1998 which is an international mark of quality for parks and green spaces. The main feature is a large hill of Pit Mounds which has plenty of paths to its summit and a lake named Bag Pool located between the parking grounds and the hill.

A commanding 18th Century building set amongst 180 acres of ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland. Once the family home to the Earls of Dudley and host to royalty and high society. Its park and garden, which were extended in the 1770s by Lancelot "Capability" Brown, are Grade II listed with the National Register of Historic Parks and Gardens. Today it is a glamorous setting for civil wedding ceremonies and receptions and other special occasions as well as Indulgent Afternoon Teas, prestigious

The Red House Glass Cone lies in the heart of the Glass Quarter, Stourbridge, West Midlands. It was built at the end of the 18th century and used for the manufacture of glass until 1936. It was used by the Stuart Crystal firm till 1936, when the company moved to a new facility at Vine Street It is now one of only four left in the United Kingdom and is currently maintained as a museum by Dudley Council.

Sandwell Valley Country Park is in the heart of the West Midlands and just one mile from West Bromwich town centre. Its leisure facilities include an adventure centre with cycle hire, access routes for walking, cycling and horse riding, pitch and putt, crazy golf, tennis courts, football pitches, tractor and trailer rides and open top bus rides.

The Leasowes is a historic landscape, listed as Grade I on the English Heritage list of parks and Gardens of historic interest in England. The land consists of steeply wooded hillsides, scenic rolling grasslands, small clear lakes and streams intersecting 2 narrow valleys. This cherished public space is a little bit of wilderness in a heavily industrialised area, a much used and loved place for family recreation.

Sandwell Park Farm is a historical restored working farm. Grazing meadows, a traditional farmyard, walled kitchen gardens, Grade II listed buildings, a small museum and award-winning tea rooms provide a perfect day out. It is a venue for rare breed animals and is a member of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Warley Woods is a 100-acre public park in the Warley district of Smethwick, in Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England. It was a a mix of woodland, open meadow and a nine hole golf course. The small stream which once ran through the site is now filled in. The park holds a Green Flag Award. The site has been managed since 2004 by Warley Woods Community Trust which is committed to its long term improvement and maintenance.

Forge Mill Farm is one of two farm visitor centres within Sandwell Valley Country Park. It is a working dairy farm where the main attraction is the dairy and other things. Here you can meet the animals, the kids can enjoy the sand pit and they can join in with craft activities. The farm is open most days throughout the year. There is a small charge to enter.

Lightwoods Park is a public park in Bearwood in the West Midlands, England. It lies on the northwest side of Hagley Road, which here forms the boundary between Birmingham and the borough of Sandwell. As well as being a great place for children and families to explore – with a skate park, play area and more – Lightwoods House is also a fantastic wedding venue.

Mary Stevens Park is a public park located in Norton, Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK. Opened to the public in 1931, it attracts 1.3 million visitors per year and is approximately 13.65 hectares. It is one of four of Dudley’s Healthy hubs, which aim to provide the community with outdoor venues where people of all ages and abilities can come along to get active and have fun in a safe, pleasant outdoor environment. The park has a number of architectural features including the War Memorial and the