Wolverhampton might be dwarfed by its near neighbour Birmingham, but it's far from overshadowed. This is a city with a strong cultural backbone and a fierce civic pride.
The wanderers of Wolves
Home to the Wolverhampton Wanderers football club since 1889, Molineux is a 31,000 capacity stadium that has hosted England internationals and grand nights of European football.
Another major sporting attraction is Wolverhampton Racecourse, a floodlit venue with an artificial surface. As well as thoroughbred racing, the course is also a great destination for events. The Lady Wulfruna stakes, which takes place each March, is named after Wulfrun, an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman whose name is believed to be the original of Wolverhampton.
The Victorian legacy
There’s plenty of history and culture in Wolverhampton, including a number of storied buildings. Wightwick Manor may well be the most eye-catching - clearly influenced by the Arts and Craft movement and built in the late 19th century. The listed building has William Morris fabrics and wallpaper, and was gifted to the National Trust in 1937.
The manor and gardens are open to the public, while art fans can revel in the wonderful Pre-Raphaelite collection, which includes works by Rossetti. More Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian artworks can be seen at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery, which also has fascinating Georgian and Pop Art galleries, as well as significant pieces by notable Midlands’s artists.
Treading the boards
The arts aren't neglected in Wolverhampton, with both the Arena Theatre and the Grand Theatre programming an eclectic range of events and shows. The more intimate Arena Theatre is known for its cultural diversity while the Grand Theatre, open since 1894, can boast Charlie Chaplin, Henry Irving, Winston Churchill and Michael Caine among the luminaries that have graced its stage. It maintains a lively reputation with a breadth of offerings from pantomime to musicals and ballet.
Surrounded by glorious British countryside, visitors to this part of the world will find much to enchant and entrance. Car hire in Wolverhampton makes seeing all of this possible, and makes all the charm of the Black Country accessible.
