Blists Hill or Black Country Living Museum?

forgotmyname

Cooked in beef dripping it says on the sign..

All the walking should balance that out though

Been a while since ive been to the Black Country Museum. May have to have a looky again.

xmas09

Great offer

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/august-bank-holiday-2-nights-ironbridge-with-passes-for-10-attractions-including-1974934

ripplyuk

Are both these museums still worth going to if the weather is bad? We've only got a week and I'm starting to wonder what would be best if it rains the entire time. Any suggestions for places within driving distance of Lichfield?

p00hsticks

Personally I'd avoid BCLM on a really rainy day, although you should be able to comfortably work round a few showers (we did). The site is pretty compact and most of what you want to see is under cover but you still have to walk outside from place to place, so you will get wet if it's raining continually.

Pixie24

We (me and DH) had a holiday in Shropshire and one of the reasons being that we wanted to go to Blists Hill. The day before we were due to go we came across a 2 for 1 voucher for the BCM so thought we would give that a try. We had a great time there and loved all the different things to look round especially the old cottages with the characters in situ! We felt we learnt something new but were entertained, all which for us makes a good day out

We had high hopes for BH and were left slightly underwhelmed. It was ok but we much preferred BCM. BH seemed to want to keep selling you something which took the edge off it a bit and it was expensive for what it was. I would go to Ironbridge itself again but probably not bother with BH. I would definitely go to the BCM again.

ripplyuk

Thanks Pixie24. I've also got a 2 for 1 voucher for BCLM. The voucher for Blists hill runs out at the end of August so we can't use that. So BCLM would be a much cheaper day out for us. Also, I've been reading about Dudley Canal Tours and maybe we could do both on the same day.

I had never heard of BCLM before researching this holiday but I've known about Blists Hill for ages, since 'Victorian Pharmacy'. So I've been wanting to go there and I've also had my hopes up about it and really don't want to be disappointed, especially when we've only got a week. It does seem that Blists Hill is more money orientated but I'm thinking that since we don't have children, there won't be too many extras we need to buy.

We've also been to the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum in Cultra, which was a great day out. We both loved it.

p00hsticks

ripplyuk wrote: »

Thanks Pixie24. I've also got a 2 for 1 voucher for BCLM. The voucher for Blists hill runs out at the end of August so we can't use that. So BCLM would be a much cheaper day out for us. Also, I've been reading about Dudley Canal Tours and maybe we could do both on the same day.

From within the BCLM (just round the corner behind the pub) you can access the Dudley Canal trust tours and have a 45 minute canal boat trip through the tunnels - fascinating ! (think the cost was about £6 per adult)

ripplyuk

I didn't realise that. I thought we'd be driving to each of them. Thanks pOOhsticks. It'd be lovely to get the canal trip straight from the museum. It would add to the whole 'olden days' experience too!

Is there certain days that are better for visiting either of these museums? I've heard some people complaining that some buildings/attractions were closed when they were there. I'm wondering whether we should go on a weekend, when hopefully everything will be open, or a weekday, to avoid crowds.

p00hsticks

ripplyuk wrote: »

Is there certain days that are better for visiting either of these museums? I've heard some people complaining that some buildings/attractions were closed when they were there. I'm wondering whether we should go on a weekend, when hopefully everything will be open, or a weekday, to avoid crowds.

We went to BCLM on a Monday earlier this year (in school term time) and everything seemed to be open apart from the trams, which I think they were having work done on, even at the weekends (they had vintage buses instead).

It was pretty quiet although there were at least three school parties there.

Although there's a lot to see just on the off chance, one tip would be to try to find out asap in the day when the various demonstrations etc are on so that you can work around them (e.g. the canal trips, cinema showing, chain making demonstration, mining tour) -I didn't notice anything at the entrance to tell you what was on when.

liney

BCM is more turn of the century up to war time whilst BH is Victorian. You can get a family passport for Blists Hill so that you can visit the other museums too http://www.ironbridge.org.uk/plan-your-visit/ticket-prices/ It may still be available through Tesco Club Card points too.

At both museums the only thing we queued for were the mines and the chip shop - I wouldn't worry about crowds really.