The Black Country & Arboretum
Wonderful green spaces, canals, heritage buildings and waterways are the legacy of former industrial activity in and round the west of Birmingham - a fascinating area to explore!
Wonderful green spaces, canals, heritage buildings and waterways are the legacy of former industrial activity in and round the west of Birmingham - a fascinating area to explore!
They are a friendly bunch around here with a story to tell and love of pork scratchings and pint of real ale. Visit the beating heart of The Black Country, an area just west of Birmingham that was one of the Industrial Revolution’s birthplaces. So named because of the underlying coal seam and proliferation of heavy industry – which in turn produced high levels of soot in the mid-1800s. Now thankfully cleaned up it offers wonderful green spaces, canals and amazing architectural treasures. History is still littered around and famous visitor attractions, heritage buildings and waterways provide a wealth of interest. We take the opportunity to visit The National Memorial Arboretum whose peaceful forested grounds provide a contrast to the industrial landscapes.
ITINERARY
Saturday - Morning departure from Dorset and calling into Oxford with time for lunch. Later continue to Coventry and check-in to our hotel where dinner awaits.
Sunday - Visit the Black Country Living Museum near Dudley. Set across 29 acres, you'll explore reconstructed shops, houses, and industries from the 1800s to 1960s. Learn how steam power and human ingenuity transformed the region into a powerhouse. Meet historic characters and hear their stories - fascinating! This afternoon drive to nearby Stourbridge and take a short (0.6 miles) walk along a stretch of the picturesque Stourbridge Canal - expect the sounds of running water, occasional honk of a goose, bird chatter and history singing from every twist of architecture.
Monday - To the National Memorial Arboretum near Lichfield - we shall arrive in time for the 11:00 Daily Act of Remembrance which includes a 2 minute silence. Later we shall board the Land Train for a guided tour of the site with commentary. Afterwards there will be free time for personal visits. Return to the hotel later that afternoon.
Tuesday - Homewards bound we shall call at the Wythall Transport Museum - just south of Birmingham - home to 90 buses dating from the very early days of public transport up to more modern times. There is a gallery of company art, models, memorabilia and more. It may be possible to fire up one of the old girls and take a short nostalgic ride. Resume via motorways to arrive back in Dorset late afternoon.
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner
Holiday Inn Coventry
A modern high quality hotel venue ideally situated just outside of Coventry and convenient for our chosen itinerary visits. All the bright and spacious bedrooms provide private bathroom with free toiletries and hairdryer, big comfy beds, large digital TV with satellite channels, telephone, tea tray, iron/press, air-conditioning and free wifi. A lift serves all three floors and room service is available. The restaurant is stylish and relaxed offering a buffet dinner and full English breakfast There is a lounge/bar in which to socialise.
TOUR PRICE: £299.00 Per Person
Single Room Supplement: £70.00
Price Includes: All coach travel, 3 nights hotel accommodation, Half board meals, Entry to Black Country Museum, Arboretum Land Train, Entry to Wythall Bus Museum.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Beaminster Area | Convenient local point in Beaminster to be advised |
| Blandford Area | Convenient local point in Blandford to be advised |
| Bournemouth Area | Convenient point in Bournemouth to be advised |
| Branksome Area | Convenient point in Branksome to be advised |
| Bridport Area | Convenient local point in Bridport to be advised |
| Britannia Inn | Britannia Inn, Fortuneswell, Portland |
| Charlestown | The Alexandra Inn, Chickerell Road, Charlestown |
| Chickerell | Bluebird Garage, Chickerell Road |
| Corfe Castle | Convenient point in Corfe Castle to be advised |
| Courtlands | Portland, Courtlands bus stop |
| Dorchester South Station | Dorchester South Station bus stop |
| Dorchester TOT | Top O'Town Car Park (by cafe), Dorchester |
| Easton | Easton Square, Portland |
| Ferndown Area | Convenient local point in Ferndown to be advised |
| Foords Corner | Foords Corner bus stop, Wyke Regis |
| Jestys Avenue | Bus stop end of Jestys Avenue on Littlemoor Road |
| Littlemead | Broadwey, Littlemead bus stop (Swan Inn) |
| Lodmoor Hill | Lodmoor Hill Bus Stop (near Post Office) |
| Lyme Regis | Convenient local point in Lyme Regis to be advised |
| Lyndale bus stop | Wyke Regis, Lyndale Bus Stop |
| Nottington | Broadwey, Nottington Corner bus stop |
| Poole Area | Convenient local point in Poole to be advised |
| Poundbury QMSE | Poundbury Queen Mother Square bus stop (Coach heading into Dorchester) |
| Radipole | Spa Hotel bus stop, Radipole |
| Redlands | Redlands, Opposite Garage |
| Ringwood Area | Convenient local point in Ringwood to be advised |
| Rodwell | Rodwell Traffic Lights, Rodwell Rd/Rodwell Ave |
| Sgt Bunn | St Bunn Bakery, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| Sherborne Area | Convenient local point in Sherborne to be advised |
| Southwell | Portland, Southwell, Opposite Eight Kings Inn |
| St Edmunds Church | St Edmunds Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road |
| St Johns Church | Weymouth, St Johns Church, outside Dentist |
| St Nicholas Church | Southlands Road bus stop on Buxton Road, Weymouth (former St Nicholas Church) |
| Sturminster Newton Area | Convenient point in Stur. Newton to be advised |
| Swanage Area | Convenient local point in Swanage to be advised |
| To be advised | To be advised - Approx. 2 weeks before travel |
| Upton Area | Convenient local point in Upton to be advised |
| Value House | Value House Car Park |
| Victoria Square | Victoria Square bus stop, Portland |
| Wareham Area | Convenient local point in Wareham to be advised |
| Westwey Road | Westwey Rd, Magistrates Court, Weymouth |
| Weymouth Bluebird | Weymouth, Outside Bluebird Office, K1 bus stop |
| Wimborne Area | Convenient local point in Wimborne to be advised |
| Wool Area | Convenient local point in Wool to be advised |
| Wyke Smuggler | Smugglers Inn, Wyke Regis |
| Yeovil Area | Convenient local point in Yeovil to be advised |
