Local area guide

Living in Dudley

Thinking about moving to Dudley? Discover why it's a great place to live, fun things to do here, what the local schools and transport connections are like - and of course the most important thing of all: how much houses cost to buy.

Your guide to moving to Dudley

Why Dudley is a good place to live

Dudley offers a unique charm with a rich mix of history and modern amenities. As part of Britain's Black Country, it boasts an impressive industrial heritage, visible today in areas like the restored Glass Quarter in Stourbridge. It's easy to get around, whether you're heading into the bustling city of Birmingham or out to the scenic countryside. With four main towns - Dudley, Brierley Hill, Halesowen, and Stourbridge - each bringing their own unique benefits, it's like having several towns rolled into one. Living in Dudley gives you easy access to attractions like Dudley Zoo and Castle, Dudley Canal & Caverns with its limestone mines, and the Black Country Living Museum.

What's Dudley famous for?

Dudley is famous for its historic Dudley Castle, a 12th-century fortification often referred to as the ‘historic capital of the Black Country’ with a rich industrial past. It's also where the Titanic's anchor was made back in 1911 by Noah Hingley. But it's not just history Dudley is famous for - it's literary connections too. Acclaimed fantasy author JRR Tolkien was inspired by Dudley and the Black Country when writing his fictional location of Mordor, and actor and comedian Sir Lenny Henry hail from this town.

Things to do in Dudley

There's plenty to do in Dudley, whether you're interested in history, nature, or shopping. A must-visit is the Black Country Living Museum, where costumed characters bring the area's industrial past to life. If you're more of a nature enthusiast, you can take a leisurely stroll down the Dudley Canal, or take a trip to the Wren's Nest Nature Reserve, a site of special scientific interest. Shopaholics can browse around the bustling Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Brierley Hill while history buffs will be fascinated with the historic Leasowes Park in Halesowen.

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