the building of the . “Canal Mania” swept swept Mania” “Canal Canal. Stourbridge the of building the

Ruskin Glass Centre Glass Ruskin Warehouse Bonded The Courtesy of Archives & Local History Service History Local & Archives Dudley of Courtesy

packhorses was not ideal and in 1779 saw the completion of of completion the saw 1779 in and ideal not was packhorses

The Agenoria The

fragile product such as window glass on rough tracks by by tracks rough on glass window as such product fragile

which dates back over 400 years. The transportation of a a of transportation The years. 400 over back dates which

internationally renowned for its glassmaking heritage heritage glassmaking its for renowned internationally

Stourbridge, located in the borough of Dudley is is Dudley of borough the in located Stourbridge,

industry

Brief history of the Stourbridge glass glass Stourbridge the of history Brief

Road to ‘Doulton Brook’. ‘Doulton to Road

towpath, or continue past ahead a little further up Wollaston Wollaston up further little a ahead past continue or towpath,

North West along the canal. the along West North At this point, you can retrace your steps and rejoin the canal canal the rejoin and steps your retrace can you point, this At

Bonded Warehouse. Bonded

in 1873 by John Bradley & Co. Continue to head head to Continue Co. & Bradley John by 1873 in

www.ruskinglasscentre.co.uk for more details. details. more for Visit

Cone, with an option of a public bus service returning to the the to returning service bus public a of option an with Cone,

across the Neville Garratt Bridge which was cast cast was which Bridge Garratt Neville the across

You can stop here for refreshments. refreshments. for here stop can You and ends at the Glasshouse Bridge, Red House Glass Glass House Red Bridge, Glasshouse the at ends and

works, Foster, Rastrick & Co. You will come come will You Co. & Rastrick Foster, works,

and a 400-seat theatre known as Glasshouse Arts Centre. Centre. Arts Glasshouse as known theatre 400-seat a and The short walking route is just over a mile and a half long long half a and mile a over just is route walking short The

which once belonged to the Stourbridge iron iron Stourbridge the to belonged once which

engravers, glass repairers, plus many more craft workshops workshops craft more many plus repairers, glass engravers,

Cone Museum of Glass of Museum Cone

SAT NAV DY8 4LU DY8 NAV SAT Bonded Warehouse. Warehouse. Bonded

You will see former buildings alongside the canal canal the alongside buildings former see will You

The Ruskin Glass Centre is now home to glass blowers, blowers, glass to home now is Centre Glass Ruskin The glassblower, White House House White glassblower,

past the Bonded Warehouse. Please do not park outside the the outside park not do Please Warehouse. Bonded the past

Point 2 Point - Former Stourbridge iron works iron Stourbridge Former - Allister Malcolm, resident resident Malcolm, Allister

based curriculum. curriculum. based

Stourbridge. Please park in one of the side parking bays just just bays parking side the of one in park Please Stourbridge.

people with learning disabilities through a craft and land land and craft a through disabilities learning with people

Continue your walk along the Stourbridge Arm canal. Arm Stourbridge the along walk your Continue Start of the trail trail the of Start Both begin at the Bonded Warehouse, Warehouse, Bonded the at begin Both www.discoverdudley.org.uk

by Ruskin Mill Land Trust who specialise in educating young young educating in specialise who Trust Land Mill Ruskin by

www.glassquarter.org.uk or or

(insert Old View black and white image) white and black View Old Wordsley (insert

crystal production ceased. In 2000 the site was purchased purchased was site the 2000 In ceased. production crystal

Wordsley c.1900 Wordsley

Blackcountryman boat trip boat Blackcountryman Glass Quarter heritage trail please download a copy from from copy a download please trail heritage Quarter Glass

Webb Corbett Crystal/Royal Doulton Crystal until 1999 when when 1999 until Crystal Doulton Crystal/Royal Corbett Webb

walk. For a detailed version of the Stourbridge Canal and and Canal Stourbridge the of version detailed a For walk.

In more recent times it was the manufacturing home of of home manufacturing the was it times recent more In

It has been necessary to produce a summary of this circular circular this of summary a produce to necessary been has It

There has been glass working on this site for over 325 years. years. 325 over for site this on working glass been has There

use the return bus service back to the Bonded Warehouse. Bonded the to back service bus return the use

Glasshouse Heritage Centre. Heritage Glasshouse

Cone and Sainsbury’s in . If you prefer, you can can you prefer, you If Amblecote. in Sainsbury’s and Cone

17th century. The artefacts from the dig can be seen in the the in seen be can dig the from artefacts The century. 17th

the route at Ruskin Glass Centre, the Red House Glass Glass House Red the Centre, Glass Ruskin at route the found the remains of two glasshouses dating back to the the to back dating glasshouses two of remains the found

bays just past Stourbridge’s Bonded Warehouse and around around and Warehouse Bonded Stourbridge’s past just bays An archaeological dig took place on this site in 2014 which which 2014 in site this on place took dig archaeological An

Free car parking is available at the start of the walk in parking parking in walk the of start the at available is parking car Free

Stourbridge glass industry. industry. glass Stourbridge

along the trail(s). the along College - a site of major significance in the heritage of the the of heritage the in significance major of site a - College

There are refreshment and toilet facilities available at points points at available facilities toilet and refreshment are There Road, on your right you will see the moorings of Glasshouse Glasshouse of moorings the see will you right your on Road,

www.thebondedwarehousestourbridge.co.uk Visit Visit

As you approach the Coalbournbrook Bridge at Wollaston Wollaston at Bridge Coalbournbrook the approach you As their companies on the canalside. canalside. the on companies their Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge, DY8 4LU DY8 Stourbridge, Warehouse, Bonded at: Finish

the year. year. the

financially to the building of the canal and most established established most and canal the of building the to financially Long trail Long hours 3 approximately duration miles, 3.5

Coalbourbrook Bridge Coalbourbrook

Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal take place throughout throughout place take Canal Worcestershire & Staffordshire

for the fragile glass. Many crystal manufacturers contributed contributed manufacturers crystal Many glass. fragile the for

Red House Glass Cone, Wordsley Cone, Glass House Red at: Finish

Boat trips and special events along the Stourbridge Canal and and Canal Stourbridge the along events special and trips Boat

other. The calm waters of the canal ensured a safe passage passage safe a ensured canal the of waters calm The other.

(longer if you walk back to the beginning) the to back walk you if (longer

find the canal and main road are in close proximity to each each to proximity close in are road main and canal the find owned by the Stourbridge Navigation Trust. Trust. Navigation Stourbridge the by owned

Short trail Short hours 1.5 approximately duration miles, 1.5

which is now referred to as the Crystal Mile. Here you will will you Here Mile. Crystal the as to referred now is which held in secure or ‘Bonded’ warehouses. The building is now now is building The warehouses. ‘Bonded’ or secure in held

(park in parking bays just past the Bonded Warehouse) Bonded the past just bays parking in (park

emerged along the main Stourbridge to road, road, Kingswinford to Stourbridge main the along emerged tobacco and spirits. High value goods were taxable and and taxable were goods value High spirits. and tobacco

Both start at the Bonded Warehouse, Stourbridge, DY8 4LU 4LU DY8 Stourbridge, Warehouse, Bonded the at start Both

chain of 16 glasshouses glasshouses 16 of chain Built in 1799 its original use was to hold goods such as tea, tea, as such goods hold to was use original its 1799 in Built

Over the next 150 years a a years 150 next the Over Stourbridge over the last 400 years 400 last the over Stourbridge Point 1 Point - The Bonded Warehouse Bonded The -

Discover the glass making history and heritage of of heritage and history making glass the Discover canal mileage than Venice. Venice. than mileage canal

Stourbridge bus station and Stourbridge Town train station. train Town Stourbridge and station bus Stourbridge Two self-guided walking tours tours walking self-guided Two the has more more has Country Black the

The Bonded Warehouse is a short walking distance from from distance walking short a is Warehouse Bonded The

1790’s. It is often reported reported often is It 1790’s.

Heritage Trail Heritage

Glasshouse Heritage Centre Heritage Glasshouse

1760’s and peaking in the the in peaking and 1760’s half miles and also returns to the Bonded Warehouse. Bonded the to returns also and miles half

Stourbridge Canal & Glass Quarter Quarter Glass & Canal Stourbridge Point 3 Point - Ruskin Glass Centre and and Centre Glass Ruskin -

across the UK, starting in the the in starting UK, the across The longer walking route option is approximately three and and three approximately is option route walking longer The

Stourbridge Canal & Glass Quarter heritage trail Stourbridge Canal Visitors are requested to remain on designated footpaths and not to enter any safety fenced areas. The heritage trail & Glass Quarter provides good access to the main features of interest. Many of the paths are surfaced but may be muddy when wet. HERITAGE TRAIL Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

Open-cast mining c.1960’s Other publications There are other publications on the Stourbridge Glass Approach the Seven Dwellings Bridge and turn right down a Withymoor Village on the site of the former open-cast mine Quarter. For further historical and heritage information path towards Sainsbury’s, Amblecote. This area is known as throughout this walk in more detail download a copy of the Withymoor and latterly was an open cast colliery. Nowadays, roundabout. Turn right onto Vicarage Road and walk down heritage trail at www.glassquarter.org.uk or it is a large residential housing estate built in the 1980’s. This past Corbett Hospital on your right hand side. At the www.discoverdudley.org.uk area, all around the Delph across Withymoor and down to traffic lights at the bottom of the road turn left past Holy Wordsley, was the prime fireclay mining area of the Black Trinity Church Amblecote (built in 1842). The church was Further visitor information Country. Where Sainsbury’s and the housing estate now constructed from firebrick which gives it the distinctive old Dudley Council Plus stand was all part of a large mining area of more than 50 pits gold colour. 259 Castle Street, Dudley DY1 1LQ and collieries at various times over the last few centuries. Tel: 0300 555 2345 Point 11 - Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote Open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm As a slight detour, take a Saturday 9am to 12 noon look inside the graveyard of the church and you will For further information on the Stourbridge Glass see the headstones of Quarter visit www.glassquarter.org.uk some famous glassmakers There’s lots to see and do in the borough of Dudley. including Joseph Webb To find out more visitwww.discoverdudley.org.uk - glass manufacturer of Holloway End and Coalbourn Hill, Adolph Zinke Disclaimer - glass engraver, William Every effort has been made to check the accuracy of Seven Dwellings Bridge Fritsche - glass engraver. information included in this leaflet. Dudley Council and the places featured cannot guarantee the accuracy of the details Both originally from Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote included and therefore accept no responsibility. Visitors Point 10 - Refreshment opportunity Bohemia circa 1860’s. should check details with attractions before travelling. As you approach Seven Dwellings Bridge you will see a Point 12 - Journey’s end, Bonded Should you have any comments about this guide, please signpost and a path on your right leading downhill towards Warehouse email [email protected] Sainsbury’s. Follow this path. You can catch a bus from Correct at time of print - August 2017 Retrace your steps and continue to walk towards outside the Withymoor Health Centre opposite Sainsbury’s Stourbridge Ring Road until you reach a pelican crossing. Many thanks to Ian Dury, Glass Heritage Specialist for to return to the Bonded Warehouse. assistance in the production of this leaflet Cross and walk towards the Bonded Warehouse in Canal If you stop for refreshments inside Sainsbury’s, to continue Street, back to where you started the walk. to the Bonded Warehouse cross over the zebra crossing outside the supermarket entrance opposite Withymoor Accompanying this leaflet is a short film Health Centre, turn left and continue along Kirkstone Way. showing some of the highlights from this Continue to walk straight ahead along Kirkstone Way walk. To view go to youtube.com/user/ through the housing estate until you come to a mini dudleymbc or follow the QR code. Point 4 - Doulton Brook Crossing over the main road you will see the magnificent structure of the Red House Glass Cone, a Grade II listed You will see a new housing estate building built circa 1790’s. Today the Red House Glass Cone called ‘Doulton Brook’ which has has a gift shop, a variety of artists studios, glassblowing transformed an industrial brownfield demonstrations at weekends and during school holidays. site into a beacon of regeneration There is a programme of events and activities throughout the for the local borough. During the year including adult and children’s craft sessions. You can excavation of the site they unearthed a stop here for refreshments. quantity of sandstone grinding wheels, which can now be seen incorporated Visit www.dudley.gov.uk/see-and-do/museums/ or call into the flower bed at the entrance of 01384 812750. the estate. Retrace your steps and rejoin the canal towpath The Samson & Lion at the Coalbournbrook Bridge. Eventually you will pass Swan Lane Bridge as you approach Point 5 - Site of the old Dial Glass Cone the Samson & Lion Public House, which is adjacent to 5 and lock 4. Here you will see the rope marks along the coping stones of the wall (left) where the horse drawn once worked the towpath. Continue to walk straight ahead crossing underneath Brierley Point 9 (optional) Historic brickworks Hill Road Bridge and you will come to a sign for Buckpool office made of firebricks Nature Reserve on your left. A colliery stood here in the 1800’s which claimed the death by fire-damp (suffocation If you choose to continue a little further along the canal, after and explosion) of several men. 200 metres you will pass beneath a railway bridge. This was the railway which ran to Round Oak Steelworks and then to Red House Glass Cone Tudor Crystal glassworks the freightliner depot in Dudley. After another 200 metres you will come to Brettell Lane road In 1788 a glasshouse cone was rebuilt on the side of the Point 8 - Climbing the Stourbridge Sixteen bridge. Go under the road bridge and walk up the ramp to canal known as the New Dial Glassworks. the roadside. Turn right and walk for 50 yards - the Harris Since 1922 the site has been occupied by Plowden and and Pearson building is on the opposite side of the road. Thompson who for many years have supplied mostly This building was constructed from bricks made from clays industrial glassware, with a speciality of making glass tubing extracted from the local mines. The clay from this area was and other known products such as Bullseye window glass also used to make crucibles or pots for melting the raw and cat’s eyes for road safety. They now specialise in military materials for glass making. products and use old craft skills to produce products for Retrace your steps and rejoin the canal towpath. As you new 21st century cutting edge technology. Top Lock Bridge continue you will come across the old Silver End railway Their site is also the home of the Tudor Crystal. The factory bridge on to Bowen’s Bridge where the new Lion Court shop is open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4.30pm. A few hundred metres beyond here there is a canal junction. Homes development is on the site of the former Delph Continue to walk straight ahead and eventually turn right Bottleworks. In 1893, two men were killed while working You will pass a row of canal cottages The Stourbridge Sixteen over Top Lock Bridge between lock 1 and lock 2. You will underneath the furnace and were engulfed by molten glass. on the approach to Longboat Lane now find yourself on the opposite side of the canal as you The Delph Bottleworks was a major producer of a wide Bridge and continue to walk along the Continuing the walk, just beyond the Red House Glass cross over the bridge. range of glass bottles during this period. towpath. Cone, along the Stourbridge Sixteen locks canal and In the distance you will see the view of a very tall white At the Wordsley Canal Junction the Dadford’s Bridge, you will be heading towards an attractive industrial chimney and just around the corner you will come The mineral wealth beneath your feet canal widens considerably. Turn lock cottage. The canal has changed considerably in to Leys Bridge. Follow the canal towpath eventually passing As you continue to walk along the towpath opposite the Lion right here and follow northeast and character because of its route uphill. If you stand over a small underneath Farmer’s Bridge and continue along the towpath. Court homes housing development, on the left hand side onwards into the heart of the industrial bridge and look back down the flight of locks you will see a Continue to walk along the towpath underneath Brierley you will see Chapel Street and the flats of in the Black Country. spectacular view overlooking the Red House Glass Cone. Bridge and then Bull Street Bridge. distance.

The short trail ends at Glasshouse Bridge and you have the option to walk back to the Bonded Warehouse along the Dell Sports Fens Pool main A491 road towards Stourbridge (approximately 1.5 Stadium Local Nature miles) or catch a local bus service into Stourbridge. Trail Reserve

Point 6 (optional) 491 Holy Trinity Church, Wordsley Canal Buckpool Dudley No.1 Canal Local Nature Road Reserve P River Samson & Lion 6 Holy Trinity public house P Merry Hill Railway Church Centre Wordsley Freight line Just a short walk from Glasshouse Bridge, walk up the 8 ramp and bear left. You will see the church tower of the Locks Holy Trinity Church, Wordsley. It is known as the Church of the Glassmakers, as many of the famous names of the Museum The Delph glassmaking fraternity are buried here - Northwood, Stuarts, Bottleworks Carder, Richardson, Webbs, to name but a few. Harris & Pearson 9 Stourbridge Canal To continue the trail return to the canal towpath, passing 7 Red House Black Delph beneath the Henderson Bridge with lock 14 just afterwards. Glass Cone Bridge Point 7 - The ‘heart of the Crystal Mile’ White House Cone Museum of Glass The biggest concentration of glasshouse cones once stood 10 Sainsbury’s here. 5 Tudor Crystal White House Cone Stourbridge Canal Arm Museum of Glass 4 3 Ruskin Glass Centre and 4012 11 Holy Trinity Glasshouse Heritage Centre 4036 Church Amblecote Stourbridge Town Corbett Hospital As we approach the Glasshouse bridge, immediately behind Football Ground the roadside wall on the right-hand side would have stood 458 the White House Glass Cone c.1780. 2 The site of the Old White House Cone is 1 & 12 River being developed into a new state of the Bonded Warehouse art glass museum to hold the Dudley P Stour Council glass collection. The White House Cone museum will be managed P by the British Glass Foundation and will Stourbridge Town open to the public in summer 2019. Bus & rail interchange Visit Hungary Hill www.britishglassfoundation.org.uk

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