Stourbridge: Where past meets present

On the south-west fringe of the Black Country, Stourbridge has long been a centre of creativity. Home to the world's finest glass designers and makers since the 17th century, today Stourbridge still boasts a high concentration of artists.

Stourbridge still retains many of the post-medieval market town features which contribute to its unique character. Lower High Street housed the market, which gained its charter around 1500, and the Town Hall was built in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The cast iron Town Clock was made in 1857 and until relatively recently was manually wound twice a week. Children have been educated at King Edward VI College since 1430, and the present buildings date back to 1861.

The Bonded Warehouse and waterfront in Canal Street are the remains of the town's thriving 18th and 19th century iron industry. At the far end of Canal Street was the foundry which built the first steam locomotive in America to carry commercial goods.

With a compact and easily accessible town centre, Stourbridge offers a pleasant shopping environment in the High Street as well as the Ryemarket and Crown Centre shopping centres. The town is home to many smaller specialist shops with a firm commitment to quality and customer service. Farm fresh fine food is available at the open-air Farmers' Markets on the first and third Saturdays of the month, alternating with Stourbridge Up-Market art and crafts market on the second and fourth Saturdays.

For more information about Stourbridge and events taking place, please visit www.stourbridge.com

Locate Stourbridge Town Centre