These locations boast character and history, with attractions, beautiful sights, and strong community spirit.
Himley
Himley boasts a number of fantastic attractions for all the family – and an intriguing historic association with Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.
Many of the Gunpowder Plot conspirators fled to Himley on the night of November 5th, after their plans were rumbled.
They took refuge in Holbeach House on the border with nearby Kingswinford, which was owned by one of the conspirators.
They were surrounded by the King’s men and several of them escaped by a tunnel from the house into Himley woods.
They were pursued through the woods to what is now the Dudley Arms on the A449, before they met a grisly death.
Himley woods are now part of Himley plantation, which has been owned and managed by the Woodland Trust since 1962. The woods are dissected by a disused railway some five miles in length which is popular with walkers.
The plantation is open to the public and dogs can roam free. There is shady cover from oak, sycamore and lime trees and volunteers have sited bat boxes throughout.
A short walk away is Himley Hall, a commanding 18th century mansion set in 180 acres of Capability Brown landscaped parklands open to the public.
The hall itself is open for conferences, weddings and more, and is a popular venue for afternoon tea. Near its waterfall is another food outlet offering snacks and drinks.
The grounds themselves play host to a variety of events throughout the year, culminating in a spectacular annual firework display set to music. Street entertainers, a funfair, night market and food vendors make this a lively family evening.
Footpaths wind through miles of lakes and woodland to the stunning Baggeridge Country Park, one of the district’s top beauty spots.
This former colliery employed 3,000 men and produced 12,000 tonnes of coal a week in its heyday. Since its closure in 1968, the site has been transformed into one of the region’s best-known wildlife and recreation areas.
The Green Flag award-winning site of biological importance offer something to those of all ages - from aerial high ropes, a climbing wall, mountain bike trails, dog walking trails, a miniature railway, camping, fishing, a community room for hire, and a tearoom.
The 125-acre site also offers a free outdoor play area for children of all ages which includes a fort, sand digger, and zipwires.
Find out more about Baggeridge Country Park via this link
Swindon
Nearby Swindon developed from a tiny hamlet into a thriving village in the 19th century with the development of the Baldwin iron works next to the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
The works have since been demolished but are remembered in modern housing development Baldwin Way on its former site.
The canal and railway which used to serve the works run almost parallel through the village and offer a variety of routes for walkers and cyclists.
It has remained a robust village with a strong neighbourhood spirit demonstrated in its community centre and cricket club, which play a vital role in village.