Black Country Walk Through Time

Wren's Nest, Priory Park and Castle Woods

View photos from the BBC WM Walk Through Time »

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Without wanting to blow our own trumpet (too much), the Black Country is one of the UK's most fascinating areas for natural history.

The name 'Black Country' refers to the black coal abundant in the area, which is now famous for its industrial heritage. Human beings have had a big impact on this landscape - the rock from hills around Dudley has been quarried for hundreds of years both at the surface and underground.

The Wren's Nest, where this walk starts, is very special - it's well known to geologists from all over the world who get rather excited by it. On this walk, you'll go back in time to come face to face with ancient creatures and see ripples on a 420 million year old seabed. You'll then walk back to the present day, finding out about the first settlers in Dudley, the rare bats who live in the old mines and why this area is so important in Britain's history. You'll see birds, wild flowers and evidence of Dudley's industrial past. And hopefully, you'll be able to take home some fossils!