The Five Best Places to be Inspired in Wolverhampton
Looking for an inspiring adventure in the heart of the Black Country? Here’s my top five places to get your creative juices flowing and encourage you to explore more…
Vaal & Vaal
Part hair salon, part-trendy members club with cocktails that will make your heart sing, Vaal & Vaal is a hub of creativity in unsuspecting Chapel Ash. Owner Harper Gill curates a program of events for women that focus on empowerment in business within her beautifully designed salon and members lounge; think blush and teal velvet seating, blossom cascading from the ceiling, and the Vaal & Vaal name proudly displayed in lights for all to see. Come for a coffee and a meeting in the collaborative workspace, stay for the uniquely blended cocktails and a hair treatment to get you feeling fresh and on-point. http://vaalandvaal.co.uk/
Wightwick Manor
One of my absolute favourite places in Wolverhampton. This beautiful Victorian National Trust-owned house is filled to the brim with William Morris wallpaper, textiles and rugs (the Mander family knew how to shop!) and is one of THE finest examples of his work anywhere in the world. You’ll find some of the world’s most famous and well-loved pre-raphaelite artworks within their collection (including the highest ratio of female to male artists in a gallery or museum in the West Midlands. Girl Power!) as well as some lesser known hidden gems (theres even a secret staircase. Ooh err). The neatly manicured gardens are the perfect space for a stroll to clear your head and set your daydreams into goals and to-do lists. Go and check it out for yourself; there’s always an exhibition on based around the work of the Pre-Raphaelites (currently Rossetti’s early works focussing on Dante’s Inferno) and the collections team there are so overwhelmingly knowledgable that you always come away having learned something new. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wightwick-manor-and-gardens
Wolverhampton Art Gallery
With a pop art collection to rival all the major London galleries, a regular program of touring exhibitions that feature global big-name artist’s work and a series of events, talks and workshops that run throughout the year, Wolverhampton Art Gallery smashes it out the park when it comes to inspiring it’s visitors and creating conversation. I love the chandelier light that hangs above the grand staircase, and the mix of Victorian portraiture hanging alongside contemporary work with strong political messages juxtaposes and questions the stories being told within each. http://www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/
Medicine, Codsall
Famed for their overindulgent cronuts and perfectly-baked sourdough, Medicine in Codsall is the perfect spot for a brainstorming brunch or working lunch. Think clean white tiles, plenty of greenery and industrial style tables, a minimal canvas that lets the food and coffee take centre-stage; global influences abound with the street food-inspired small plates, and i dare you not to drool over the cake counter. Yum! Order a flat white whilst you peruse the menu and decide whether to keep it clean with the Buddha Bowl, or go all-out with the Banoffee French Toast. It’s great for vegans, and there’s a substantial menu for little ones too. Go on, feed your brain and get those creative juices flowing with a smoothie or two. http://www.medicinebakery.co.uk
Newhampton Arts Centre
Looming on the edge of West Park, this ex-Victorian school house does it all: gig venue, culturally diverse theatre, community arts space, cafe, dance studio, I could go on. If you’re looking to learn a new skill, this marvellous beast of an institution should be your first port-of-call. There is something for all ages from pre-natal yoga to wing chun. Touring bands regularly pass through to do smaller, more intimate gigs and the centre’s bi-annual Fun Palace events often showcase the work of its residents with free workshops to participate in. http://www.newhamptonarts.co.uk
