Top Ten Things to do in Wolverhampton

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I'm moving away from Manchester next week, and have been making a 'bucket list' to do all those things I never got round to doing in the city. This led me to think about my own hometown and what at the Must DO activities there. Wolverhampton can get a really bad wrap, but I love it! Of course its close to places like Birmingham, Walsall, Coventry and Stratford Upon Avon which all have great arts and cultural hubs and things to do, but I thought I'd restrict this list to the 10 best things to do in Wolverhampton itself. Perhaps you have somebody visiting you, or maybe you're coming to university in Wolverhampton. These are the things not to be missed....

1.Go to an event at West Park

West Park in the Winter (taken by Mummy Blollings)

West Park is massive, beautiful and central. It comes first as one of my absolute favourite places in the city. On a normal day you can go into the authentic Victorian greenhouse and look at tropical plants and fish, or take a boat onto the lake and row around for a bit. Its resplendent on a summer's day, and full of families and groups of people playing football on its large-ish fields. Even on cold winter days, when its usually quite empty, the park has an enchanting feel to it that makes you feel you're somewhere very different from the city. The park puts on large-scale, outdoor family events, I highly recommend Bonfire Night in November and the City Show in Summer (ALWAYS includes a car show and a horse and carriage race).

2. Explore vintage and retro finds at Wolverhampton Market

If you've never been inside Wolverhampton Market you might be surprised to discover the antiques section, round the corner from the fish stalls , where you can buy vintage clothes, toys, antique furniture and all sorts of weird and wonderful memorabilia. It's a fun place to go for presents or unusual objects. The market is great for any international foods and much cheaper fruit and veg than the supermarkets. If you are looking for fancy dress outfits or theatre costumes try Actor's Wardrobe, also based at the market, where I used to work. It has an amazingly extensive range of professional quality theatre costumes. For good quality, second-hand furniture I love to browse the Compton Hospice shop, round the corner from the market and opposite Beatties car park.

3. Go to an event or join a class at The Newhampton Arts Centre

The Newhampton Arts Centra puts on top quality music shows and performances for really accessible prices. Its a hidden gem in Wolverhampton and was one of the first venues to host revival 'Northern Soul' nights that are now spreading around the Midlands and Manchester. There are also regular band nights and burlesque events and vintage markets. It also runs weekly classes, clubs, has a café and displays local artwork.

4. Watch a blockbuster film with only five other people at The Lighthouse Cinema

Built in the old Chubbs Lock factory, the Lighthouse is famous for its tiny audiences! This is a unique experience of cinema-going. The prices are cheaper than nearby cineworld, and like many independent cinemas you can take a glass of wine into the auditorium. For something truly unique the Lighthouse also offers events such as themed days, classic black-and-white movies with a live soundtrack and they also show performances from the West End. If you've never seen a silent movie its such a great experience to watch one with live music, my dad's dragged me along before and I loved it. This is a fantastic venue in Wolverhampton anda great place to try something new. They also have art exhibitions, cafés, open mic nights and all sorts. (Review of the cinema here)

5. Sneak behind the railway station for one of the best pies in the city at The Great Western Pub.

The old railway station in Wolverhampton is beautiful, and was designed by Brunel. Next door is The Great Western, a top pub in Wolverhampton with delicious food and lots of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunbeam memorabilia. Other good traditional pubs are the Newhampton in Whitmore Reans (think bowling green in the summer and open fires in the winter) and the Posada in town (a small pub with beautiful tiles and stain glass). There are loads more, just ask around! If you've come from anywhere in the country be prepare to be astounded at the prices: great value. And, of course, they all serve Banks'.

Other good places to eat that I've been to recently are The Crown on the Wergs Road (gastropub), The Hamilton Restaurant overlooking West Park (fancy restuarant) and Latuske's in Finchfield (yummy mummys). Also you can try the perpetually empty Made in Thai which has incredible decor and really nice fish.

6. Explore Wolverhampton's history at Bantock House and the surrounding gardens (this is good for kids)

Bantock House, Wolverhampton

I have so many happy memories of wandering around Bantock House and colouring in art sheets they provide. Its a restored museum that tells of some of the city's heritage. Wolverhampton is a city with a wealth of history and its definitely worth finding out more. The small gardens and café at Bantock are also nice when its sunny, and they do some fun family events like 1940's days. Bantock House is at risk at the moment from cuts and it needs local support to continue.

7. Discover one of the countries largest pop art collections at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

One of the Pop Art Rooms at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

The Pop Art gallery is a great place to take people visiting Wolverhampton. Its central and its pretty impressive. They also sometimes have some great touring exhibitions, like the recent much acclaimed Ron Mueck exhibition. Perhaps more importantly, the Wolverhampton Art Gallery Café does some really exceptional cakes. Its a nice place to meet for coffee, with pretty views of St Peter's Church. The gallery runs classes and events too.

8. Enjoy the sun and walk along the canals, the disused railway or through the bluebell wood

Bluebell wood, Wolverhampton

Another one of my absolute favourite parts of Wolverhampton is how close it is to the country side. When you get on the canal, you walk underneath the city into a world full of nature! Not everywhere has such nice canals, nor a bluebell wood. If you're feeling adventurous you can hire a barge which is an absolute HOOT, you can also just have a chilled stroll and try to find some blackberries in the bushes. The bluebell wood is fantastic and almost always empty, head there in late spring to see a carpet of bluebells as far as the eye can see.

EDIT: we're not sure what the real name for the bluebell wood we visit is. Its not called 'bluebell wood'! Its by Colton Hills School and from google maps might be 'Park Coppice' which is near there. The bluebells come out in spring.

9. Enjoy top-name comedians and musicians at the Civic Hall or up-and-coming artists at other venues around the city.

The Civic Hall always gets good names and big music acts. If that's beyond your budget try the Slade Rooms for smaller, more intimate events. The Civic Hall is big and connected to the Wulfrun Hall by some confusing passages. They get a good variety of shows that attract audiences from across the black country. Also look at the Grand Theatre which puts often has big musicals (Joseph, Blood Brothers, Sister Act, Fame etc and even some RSC productions).

10. Get involved in local spirit and watch a football match at the Molineux.

This is one thing on my bucket list I've never done but I want to. Wolves have a strong fan base and the stadium is massive, you should probs go there.

BONUS I know I've already done 10 things, but the god honest truth is when somebody asks me "What is the best thing about Wolverhampton?" my answer is always immedately 'PORK JOINT!!!'. The best Pork Baps I've ever tasted - gravy, apple stuffing, salt and pepper and tender pork. The best £2.50 you'll ever spend.

All of these places only survive by the support of the locals, and many of them are at dire risk of being lost because the council is cutting funding dramatically. I love Wolverhampton but it'll be a bit shit if everything gets shut down to make sure to support your local venues and events! If you value the arts in Wolverhampton you can contact your MPs and councillors to let them know they need to really protect funding for these great places - but perhaps the best way to protect the future of Wolverhampton's assets is to go to them, attend the events and be a part of its cultural scene.

There are loads of things I missed off the list because I wanted to keep it to ten! What are you top tips for Wolverhampton?