The Mayor of Dudley has called for people across the borough to keep on supporting their local attractions, as the country prepares for English Tourism Week.

Running from 14 to 23 March, the week celebrates the many attractions people can enjoy in their locality and across the wider country.

Dudley borough has a host of attractions including Dudley Zoo and Castle, Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Canal & Caverns.

The borough also boasts a host of parks and green spaces including two National Nature Reserves in Wren’s Nest and Saltwells, canals and community parks, Dudley Museum at the Archives and the Red House Glass Cone.

As part of English Tourism Week, Dudley Council is celebrating the completion of works at the cone, which underwent a £1.5 million restoration last year. The cone has recently launched a song and a Crystal Mile video which showcase the attractions and features some local places to eat and drink in the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. The song describes the history of glassmaking in the area from its beginning to the present day and will soon be broadcast in the Stuart Gallery at the cone.

The council led attraction, which is situated at the heart of the historic Stourbridge Glass Quarter and is one of only four cone’s left in the UK, was built at the end of the 18th century and was used as a glasshouse, manufacturing glass, up until 1936. 

Work has seen a repoint to the entire structure, install new cast iron windows and provide access to the tunnels beneath the cone.

Hilary Bills, Mayor of Dudley, said: “I was delighted to visit the Red House Glass Cone today as our borough attractions prepare to mark English Tourism Week.

“People in Dudley borough are wonderful at getting behind and supporting their local visitor economy, and I would encourage people to continue to do this as it has such a positive impact for everyone who lives and works here.”

To find out more about visitor attractions and activities in Dudley borough, visit the Discover Dudley website or to find out more about the Stourbridge Glass Quarter visit glassquarter.org.uk.