The world prepares to bid adieu to Tommy Shelby this Friday (March 6) with the cinema release of ‘Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man’. While many of the movie’s scenes were shot here in Birmingham, at the new Digbeth Loc. Studios, for a real look at the life of the immortalised crime gang, you’d better head to Dudley.
Steven Knight utilised the Black Country Living Museum many times during the hit BBC show. Most famously, the Museum’s historic boat dock serves as the backdrop of Charlie Strong’s Yard, while the Anchor Forge, Rolling Mill and Canal Street Bridge also feature. And the BCLM returns in a starring role in the highly anticipated movie.
What is the Black Country Living Museum?
This open-air museum was built on former industrial land to offers a slice of life as it was like up to 200 years ago. Black Country Living Museum opened to the public in 1978, but has been added to countless times since then, most recently with a 1940s-60s high street. But the place is like a thriving, bustling, time-travelling village.
Starting with the Industrial Revolution and working its way up to post-war prosperity, you’re free to explore 29 acres of reconstructed shops, houses and industrial areas that represent the Black Country of yesteryear. With actors bringing to life the stories of ordinary people, it’s really like walking onto a film set—also appearing in ‘Stan & Ollie’ (2018), ‘The Colour Room’ (2021) and ‘Three Little Birds’ (2023).
Enjoy the thrills of a traditional fairground, the taste of old school fish ‘n’ chips, and watching a film at the vintage cinema. Then head underground for a glimpse of life as a 1850s miner or test your times tables in a 1912 school lesson. Oh, and we haven’t even mentioned the museum’s very own pub, a recreation of Wolverhampton’s Elephant & Castle Pub.
What about the ‘Peaky Blinders’?
You’ll be able to pick up a detailed ‘Peaky Blinders’ filming location map, showing you all of the places where filming took place, on your visit—like the Canal Arm, the centre of the famous tea party scene, or the grisly murder filmed in St James’s School. Blue Plaques that will also highlight key locations from the show.
But true ‘Peaky Blinders’ fans should hold out visiting until one of its infamous Peaky Blinders Nights (March 14, September 26, and November 14). Step into the grisly underbelly for a night of revelry and entertainment, and follow in the footsteps of Birmingham’s most notorious gang in an after-hours spectacle around the Black Country Living Museum.
How do I get there?
The closest train station is Tipton, with direct 20-minute trains from Birmingham New Street. From there, it’s a 20-minute walk. Or hop on the 229 bus to Dudley, to cut that journey down to 4 minutes.
Meanwhile, driving from Birmingham should take roughly half an hour, with over 500 parking spaces available. If hopping on the ol’ bicycle, the museum is on the national cycle network route (Dudley National Cycle Route).
How much does it cost?
An adult ticket (16+ Years) costs £27.95, and a young person’s (3-15 Years) is £15.50. To most of the museum, an UnChained Annual Pass provides free daytime return visits for 12 months with the purchase of a full-priced ticket. Wanting to visit the ‘Peaky Blinders Night’? Tickets are £20.95.
To book your slot at Black Country Living Museum, head here.