The Black Country is an amazing place for indoor and outdoor inspiration and life-long learning. It is a huge learning laboratory in one of the centres of ingenuity that created the modern world.
Formal education is supported by many Geosites through indoor sessions and field excursions including many guided tours on Geosites. The range of learning on offer is wide and subjects range from geology and nature, environmental science and conservation, human history (from the stone age to the Industrial Revolution) and arts and crafts too.
We co-ordinate school and educational bookings through the Geopark Headquarters. So if you would like to know more please email blackcountrygeopark@dudley.gov.uk with your requirements and we will do our best to assist you.
The Black Country Geosites are the main outdoor learning and 'emersive' experience based informal learning parts of the Geopark. They offer a wide range of geological and environmental education programmes, training and volunteering opportunities.
These are hosted and lead by professional geologists, reserve wardens and local enthusiasts alike. Outreach activities are available to schools.
Two Geosites within the proposed geopark area (Barrow Hill in Dudley and Barr Beacon in Walsall) are part of the UK network of Earth Science On Site (ESOS) resources and feature a host of online teaching resources that can be downloaded, adapted and used by groups wishing to use these sites for field work.
Bespoke educational products that are directly curriculum linked and focussed guided tours are held throughout the year by staff at different Geosites We co-ordinate school and educational bookings through the Geopark Headquarters. Please email blackcountrygeopark@dudley.gov.uk with your requirements and we will endeavour to assist you.
Many UNESCO Global Geoparks provide useful online learning resources. If you would like to find out more, the links below will lead you to the home sites of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network
Come As You Really Are
The Come As You Really Are exhibition opens on Saturday 12 July and runs until Sunday 5 October 2025 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. The exhibition features hundreds of objects created or collected by hobbyists in the Midlands and beyond, alongside a new film. Each hobby represents a decision to commit valuable time to living life on our own terms in a society dominated by consumerism. The exhibition is free to the public, and timeslots can be booked in advance. Wolverhampton Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm and Sunday from 11am to 4pm. For more information, please visit www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Black Country Festival
The Black Country Festival celebrates and acknowledges the rich cultural heritage, fascinating history and continuous evolution of the Black Country. There are several events taking place across the region during July. To find out about an event near you visit the Black Country Festival website for further information. Socials: @BlackCountryFestival
Black Country Rocks!
An illustrated talk on the celebrated Dudley Bug and the geology of the Black Country on Thursday, 14 August 2025 at 7pm, at Wildside Activity Centre, Hordern Road, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, WV6 0HA.
The talk is suitable for adults and older children and will be delivered by Graham Worton, Keeper of Geology and UNESCO Global Geopark Coordinator.
Graham is also the chair of the Black Country Geological Society, and has shared his expertise on various TV programmes, so his talk
promises to give fascinating and entertaining insights into our local geological history along with stories behind fossil finds in the area.
Bookings via www.wildsideac.co.uk. Tickets are £5 per person or £3 for members of the Black Country Geological Society.
