Black Country Living Museum welcomes 10 millionth visitor

Black Country Living Museum (BCLM) marked a major milestone in its history on Wednesday 19 February 2020 when it welcomed its 10 millionth visitor.

During its preview season in 1978, a modest 8,800 people visited the open-air site to see how 26 acres of former industrial land was being transformed into a museum celebrating Black Country industry and people through living history.  In the intervening decades, the Museum has grown into a major heritage attraction and one of Europe’s leading open-air museums, drawing more than 358,000 visitors in 2019. 

Heidi Ackroyd (42, Nottingham) brought her son (Edward, 6) and daughter (Felicity, 4) as well as their uncle James and Auntie Kayleigh for a family day out. She was pleasantly surprised to discover that she was the Museum’s 10 millionth visitor, and to receive a special ‘golden ticket’ giftpack to mark the occasion from Museum Chief Executive, Andrew Lovett.

Heidi and her family were given VIP treatment as they enjoyed a chauffeur-driven ride around the BCLM site before receiving a rapturous welcome from a group of the Museum’s historic characters in the Canalside Village. As part of their giftpack, they received a year’s membership to the Museum, giving them benefits such priority access to event tickets and members-only behind the scenes tours.  The lucky family’s day was also made extra special with £50 of vouchers to spend in the Museum shops, as well as a complimentary portion of Hobbs & Sons’ famous fish & chips.

Heidi comments: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be the 10 millionth visitor! What a surreal experience, we were completely surprised when the policeman character approached us to give us our prize.”

Andrew Lovett, Museum Chief Executive comments: “Welcoming 10 million visitors is a historic milestone and we’re delighted to celebrate this with our visitors and staff today. I’d like to thank everyone who’s shown us their support by visiting us since 1978.  To have attracted so many visitors is a validation of the strength of our storytelling and the quality of the experience we offer.  We’re proud to have reached such a large audience over the years and to have had the opportunity to engage people with a story as rich and as globally significant as that of the Black Country.  2020 is a historic year for BCLM in more ways than one.  We’re about to begin construction of our new development, Forging Ahead, which alongside an up-to-the-minute new visitor welcome, will feature a new town and industrial quarter set in the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s.  By celebrating the past, the Museum continues to make a positive contribution to the Black Country’s future.”

The Museum’s ‘Living Dangerously’ half-term holiday event continues until Sun 23 Feb.

Visit bclm.com for more information or to book tickets. And remember, you’ll get 12 months daytime visits FREE with every full price ticket (terms and conditions apply).