Visiting Wolverhampton
Alexis has lived in Wolverhampton her whole life, and Dan for most of his. Here we share with you our favourite bars, restaurants and attractions in the city as well as a few we haven’t had the opportunity to check out but would make excellent stops during your downtime.
Places of Interest
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
An award winning gallery that contains a great collection of contemporary art, as well as Victorian, and Georgian paintings. There is also a wonderful permanent sensory exhibition and the nationally regarded Pop Art Collection, which is the biggest of its kind outside of London. The Art Gallery also has a great cafe and gift shop and is free to enter.
Location: Lichfield Street, Wolverhampton
Website: www.WolverhamptonArt.org.uk/wolves
Bantock House
A restored Edwardian House hidden within Bantock Park, less than 10 minutes from the City Centre. A free exhibition within the former home of the Bantock family, as well as tranquil gardens, nature trails, a great cafe and gift shop. The house also frequently hosts events such as 1920’s weekends.
Location: Finchfield Road, Wolverhampton, WV3 9LQ
Website: www.WolverhamptonArts.org.uk/bantock
Wightwick Manor
A National Trust property located just 20 minutes from the City Centre. This is a rare example of late Victorian taste and is best known for its collection of William Morris furnishings, De Morgan tiles, Kempe glass and Pre-Raphaelite art. The house is located within a 17.5 acre arts and crafts garden and also has a second-hand book shop and tea room.
Location: Whitwick Bank, WV6 8EE
Website: www.NationalTrust.org.uk
Banks’ Park Brewery Visitor’s Centre
Here, you can tour a 135 Year Old Brewery. See the brewing methods used and how they have evolved. Then finish off with two free pints of the freshest ale in the Black Country.
Location: Brewery Road, WV1 4JT
Website: wwww.bankssbeer.co.uk
St Peter’s Church
A Grade I listed church, mostly dating from the 15th Century, with visitors centre and beautiful Green Flag award winning gardens that contain the medieval Bargaining Stone and Saxon Cross pillar.
Location: Lich Gate, Queen Square, WV1 1TY
Website: www.wulfruna.org.uk
West Park
A fine Victorian Park created in 1881 boasting beautiful flower displays, a boating lake as well as a Victorian Conservatory Bandstand. Walking distance from Newhampton Arts Centre.
Location: Park Road East, WV1 4PW
Website: www.Wolverhampton.gov.uk/parks
Wolverhampton City Centre
The city centre is full of historic buildings for architecture lovers. From the Queens’ Square banks to the law courts, Central Library to the Grand Theatre, it’s worth exploring some of what the city centre has to offer. Look above street level and you’ll be surprised at the beauty that lies within the city.
Canals
Take a walk along the Wolverhampton Canals, taking in the Twenty One Locks, the longest flight of locks in the BCN network. The canals provide an opportunity to walk to Whightwick Manor or all the way to Birmingham if you fancy! Access can be made from Broad Street Basin, where you will find a lovely garden and canal house.
Bars & Restaurants
Lupo Lounge
Lupo Lounge are fantastic if you have dietary requirements. They have vegetarian, vegan and gluten free menus, and are happy to help if you have any other requirements. Reasonably priced, quick food and great service.
Location: 12-13 Dudley Street, WV1 3EY
Website: thelounges.co.uk
Made in Thai
We always recommend this delicious Thai place to visitors. Their food is not only affordable but also tasty beyond belief. They’re pretty spicy, so if you prefer a milder meal, be sure to let them know that! If you want it extra spicy, they’ll do it for you. I love the Thai Green Curry, but everything I’ve had from the menu has been good. Bear in mind that Fridays and Saturdays do get busy – they are a small staff and sometimes get a bit overwhelmed, especially if you take a large group with you. One to do when you have a little more time to while away, or let them know you’re in a rush before you order.
Location: 24 Darlington Street, WV1 4HW
Website: www.MadeinThai.co.uk
Bella
Hands down our favourite restaurant in Wolverhampton. Amazing Italian food cooked by an Italian family. They own a number of restaurants in the West Midlands that are hugely popular. Bella is *tiny* so booking is strongly recommended if you want to guarantee a table. It’s not cheap but it’s worth every penny.
Location: 82 Chapel Ash, WV3 0TY
Website: www.BellaRestaurant.co.uk
Hogshead
Hogshead is where we spend most of our days when we go to Wolverhampton! Good food, and even better beer. If you’re a craft beer fanatic, this is the place for you. Atmosphere is cosy but it’s a sports bar, so we recommend avoiding on Match Day unless you want to see the match!
Location: 186 Stafford Street, WV1 1NA
Website: wwww.craft-pubs.co.uk
Slug & Lettuce
Chic, pink and very instagrammable! Yes it’s a chain, but the food is pretty decent and we like going here for an occasional treat meal out. Very cheap too!
Location: 34 Queen Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1TL
Website: www.slugandlettuce.co.uk
Cafe Maxsim
Unlicensed cafe and restaurant so you’ll need to take your own alcohol if you want a drink with your meal. We’ve never actually been to this place as their opening hours vary, but we’ve heard good things from past IE participants!
Location: 87a Darlington Street, WV1 4EX
Website: www.cafemaxsim.co.uk
The Parisian
Chic French themed cocktail bar, cute and cosy decor and great cocktails! Also serve pub food.
Location: 41 Queen Square, Wolverhampton WV1 1TX
Website: www.theparisian.co.uk/
Grain Store
If you’re a gin lover like Alexis, then the Grain Store should be on your list of places to hit. They have a stunning array of gins and gin based cocktails to tickle your fancy, as well as your usual beers and wines. They serve some decent pub food too.
Location: 2-3 King St, Wolverhampton WV1 1SX
Website: www.thegrainstorewolverhampton.co.uk
Cafes
Eden Bakery
Takeaway bakery serving light meals and coffee as well as their signature delicious rotating array of cakes, doughnuts and other treats. We live near this place so it’s very dangerous! Highly recommend paying a visit if you have a sweet tooth, even if it’s just to see what ludicrous concoction Cilla’s come up with this week!
