Visitors to the Stourbridge Glass Quarter can learn about the area’s history and heritage, thanks to two updated trails celebrating the area’s heritage.

Stourbridge has been associated with the glass industry for more than 400 years and is famous for its high quality products, which can be found globally. 

The self-guided Stourbridge canal and glass quarter heritage trails take visitors around highlights from the past, including the Red House Glass Cone, The Bonded Warehouse and Ruskin Glass Centre.  They also look towards the industry’s future, by including the new state-of-the-art White House Cone Museum, which is due to be fully opened in 2019. Cllr Ian Kettle, cabinet member responsible for tourism said:

“These trails give us a glimpse into the proud historic past of the glass industry.  They explain our important heritage, for example the importance of the area’s rich geological make-up, the evolution of the canals and the origin of many local landmarks.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ian Dury, Glass Heritage Specialist, who kindly gave his time and knowledge to help us to produce this trail and the associated video.”

For ease of use, two leaflets have been produced to guide and inform walkers enjoying the walk.  An abbreviated version is available at key locations around the tour, a full booklet can be downloaded from discoverdudley.org.uk. A video, called ‘Crystal Mile Walk’ is also available available to view above, and online.

The shorter walk is approximately one and a half miles long and the longer three and a half miles; the trail leaflets include guided maps.