FAQs
Useful information to plan your visit
We want all of our visitors to have a bostin’ day out at the Museum.
Answers to our most frequently asked questions are below, but if can’t find the answer to your question, please call us: 0121 520 8054 (lines open Monday-Friday, 10.00am-4.00pm) or email [email protected]
Booking your ticket and pre-visit information
We recommend that visitors pre-book their visit in advance via our website.
Booking in advance is the best way to ensure you can visit on your preferred day and time of your choosing. However, a number of walk-up tickets on the day are available unless otherwise stated.
When you purchase your admission ticket online, you’ll need to choose a date and time to arrive for your visit. Please make sure you book a ticket for each individual in your visiting party.
Please don’t feel rushed if you want to explore our Visitor Centre before heading onto site. Your entry is guaranteed.
Most of our historic buildings are open for visitors to enjoy. However, we have had to make some closures/adaptations as a result of construction work for our new BCLM: Forging Ahead development.
- Fairground
The Fairground at the Museum has been temporarily removed. It will be repositioned and reopened later this year.
- Vintage transport
We will be offering limited transportation on our motor buses during the afternoons. We’ll also be continuing to display key vehicles from our fleet and visitors will also be able to talk to our transport drivers about the collection.
We’ll continue to operate our access vehicle, ‘Doris’, for visitors who require assistance. On the day of your visit, please call our Duty Manager on 07788 666161 to make appropriate arrangements.
Due to the ongoing construction works, on weekdays we are currently unable to operate any transport which requires the use of electric overhead wires. There will be limited services on our trolleybuses on selected weekends and bank holidays. Our trams are currently out of operation, but will be on show for visitors to view.
Your admission ticket includes entry to all open exhibits within the Museum site, including the underground mine experience, as well as unlimited daytime visits to the museum for 12 months*.
The Museum is located next to the Dudley Canal Trust, which runs boat trips through limestone caverns for an additional cost.
Car parking on our main car park is charged at £3.50 and is not included in the admission price.
*see our terms and conditions for more details about our UnChained Annual Pass.
On the date of your first visit to the Museum, we will automatically convert your general admission ticket(s) into an UnChained Annual Pass. The UnChained Annual Pass gives you 12 months of free and unlimited daytime return visits.
This offer is not applicable for those using vouchers (including Tesco vouchers). Please note that UnChained Passes are issued for unlimited return for the original visiting party only, and proof of ID may be requested. Please see bookings terms and conditions for more information.
We recommend pre-booking so that visitors are able to choose their preferred dates and time of visit.
We will release a limited number of walk-up tickets on a daily basis, but a greater number of tickets will be available online. To book your entry time, visit the ticketing page on our website and choose the free Return Entry option for Members or UnChained Passholders.
Please remember to pre-book an entry ticket for each person in your visiting party covered by your pass or membership. You’ll need to present your valid Membership/UnChained Pass alongside your timed entry ticket for scanning upon admission, so please bring along both documents.
We recommend pre-booking so that visitors are able to choose their preferred dates and time of visit.
We will release a limited number of walk-up tickets on a daily basis, but a greater number of tickets will be available online. To book your entry time, just visit the ticketing page on our website and choose the option for Other Ticket Types. Please remember to pre-book an entry ticket for each person in your visiting party.
You’ll need to present your voucher, or valid discount ticket alongside your timed entry ticket for scanning upon admission, so please bring along both documents. Where applicable, payment will be taken upon your arrival. Please pay by card wherever possible.
You can still book a visit without your UnChained Pass or Membership Card number. If you have a receipt for your original purchase, please bring this along with your proof of ID as the named purchaser, along with your timed ticket when you visit.
Alternatively, please contact our Sales & Ticketing team on 0121 520 8054 (lines open Mon-Fri, 10.00am-4.00pm) or email [email protected], who will be happy to help.
Yes. Children with a Blue Peter badge can visit for free, so long as they are accompanied by a paying adult. You will still need to pre-book an entry time for everyone in your visiting party. Blue Peter badge holders should be booked via the ‘Other Ticket Type’ category.
Please ensure that you bring along your Blue Peter badge as well as your badge ID card with your timed entry ticket to gain admission.
Blue Peter badges are valid for general admission only and cannot be used to purchase special event tickets.
As there is uneven terrain across the Museum’s 26 acres, we do not allow children’s scooters within our grounds. Please explore the Museum by foot – or hop on to one of our buses!
Should you need to change your entry time, please call our Sales & Ticketing team on 0121 520 8054 (lines open Mon-Fri, 10.00am-4.00pm), or email [email protected].
To help us, and other people who may wish to visit, we politely request that you let us know as soon as possible if you are unable to make your timeslot. Please remember that general admission tickets are non-transferrable and non-refundable.
For visitors who would like to arrive by boat, there are a limited number of 48-hour moorings available adjacent to the Museum at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust. These are free of charge and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To find out more, or to get in touch directly with Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust, please visit their website. The moorings are behind the Bottle and Glass pub, which are visible from the canal.
The Museum doesn’t typically offer free tickets to organisations, groups or individuals that it doesn’t have partnership agreements with. If you are from the Black Country and need support please contact your local authority – Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.
Making the most of your visit
Only Guide dogs, assistance dogs and animals under the Museum’s management and care are allowed into the Museum.
Animals must not be left in your vehicle while you are visiting the site. Should this happen, and the animal is found in distress, the Police will be contacted.
The pre-booked timeslot applies to entry only. Following your entry, you’re free to spend as long as you like visiting the Museum until closing. Please check the opening times for the date of your visit for guidance.
The Museum site covers 26 acres so we recommend that you allow at least half a day to explore.
The allocation of pre-booked entry times enables us to manage queueing for admissions in an effective manner and to admit visitors into the Museum without unnecessary delay.
If you are visiting with the intention of paying on the door, please note that you may be required to queue for a short amount of time before entering.
There are a variety of options around the Museum for you to choose from, including Café Black Country in our Visitor Centre, our popular Hobbs & Sons Fish & Chip Shop as well as the Workers’ Institute Café.
For more information, please view our food and drink guide.
Visitors are also welcome to bring their own picnic to enjoy in the designated outdoor areas of the Museum.
There is both car and coach parking at the Museum. A parking charge of £3.50 applies to cars for the whole day.
BCLM Members and Blue Badge holders park for free, subject to availability.
For full information, take a look at our directions guide.
The minimum age to go on our underground mine tour is 5 years old. Under 5s will not be permitted due to the uneven terrain, low lighting and duration of the tour.
Please not that babes in arms and pushchairs are not permitted.
Supporting the Museum
If you’re considering making a donation, please visit our donate page to explore the ways you can support us. Thank you.
When there are available roles, any opportunities to work with the Museum can be found on our jobs and volunteering page.
Access guide
BCLM is for everyone and we want to be as accessible and inclusive as possible in everything we do. We have ensured that maximum access and inclusion has been considered at every stage of our plan for reopening to create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits.
For further detail and FAQs on access, please view our access guide.