Britain’s regional museums & galleries – Heart of England
Ten award-winning museums
There are ten award-winning museums spread along the valley beside the wild River Severn – still spanned by the world's first Iron Bridge. See the products that set industry on its path and the machines that made them. Watch and talk to the museums' craftsmen and costumed demonstrators as they work iron, fashion china and glass, and bring alive the people who lived and worked here.
Black Country Living Museum
Made up of 26 acres of land, the Black Country Living Museum (www.bclm.co.uk) is a recreated historic village that pays tribute to the traditional skills and enterprise of the people that once lived in the heart of industrial Britain. Take a tramcar ride back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canal-side village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life.
The Wolverhampton Art Gallery
The multi award-winning Wolverhampton Art Gallery (www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/wolves) houses the finest contemporary art collection in the region with a collection of American pop art, along with traditional 18th and 19th century paintings by artists including Turner and Gainsborough. New triangular galleries, allowing the gallery to extend its collections are due to open in 2007.
Warwick Heritage Motor Centre
While in the Heart of England make a point of visiting the Heritage Motor Centre (www.heritage-motor-centre.co.uk/) in Warwickshire. In the Centre's exhibition halls you will find more than 150 motorcars on display. They cover 100 years of motor manufacturing in Britain from the many companies that have been part of the great industry in Britain.
New Art Gallery Walsall
The New Art Gallery Walsall (www.artatwalsall.org.uk/), home of the celebrated Garman Ryan Collection, exhibits 365 artworks, many of which are from different cultures and periods. Sir Jacob Epstein is featured here as well and many significant works by European artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, Corot, Renoir and Constable including prints, sketches and drawings as well as paintings and sculptures.