Darlaston

Settlement in Staffordshire

England

Darlaston

Richards Art Gallery & Museum, Wednesbury Built in 1890 to a design by Wood and Kendrick, and now housing a collection of art and craft exhibits, along with period architecture including a fine stone staircase with cast iron balusters. It attracted a Grade II listing <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101077118-richards-art-gallery-and-museum-wednesbury-south-ward#.YXGDThrMLIU" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101077118-richards-art-gallery-and-museum-wednesbury-south-ward#.YXGDThrMLIU">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> &amp; <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1077118" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1077118">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> in 1987. — Richards Art Gallery & Museum, Wednesbury Credit: Richard Law

Darlaston is a small town located in the county of Staffordshire, England. It lies approximately 4 miles east of the city of Wolverhampton and is part of the metropolitan borough of Walsall. With a population of around 25,000 people, Darlaston is a close-knit community with a rich industrial heritage.

Historically, Darlaston was known for its iron and steel industry, which thrived during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The town was home to numerous iron foundries and factories, contributing significantly to the local economy. Today, although the industry has declined, remnants of this industrial past can still be seen in the form of old factories and warehouses scattered throughout the town.

Darlaston boasts a range of amenities, including several schools, healthcare facilities, and shopping areas. The town center features a variety of local shops, supermarkets, and eateries, catering to the needs of its residents. It also has good transport links, with regular bus services connecting it to neighboring towns and cities.

Nature lovers can enjoy the nearby Rough Wood Nature Reserve, which offers picturesque walking trails and a chance to observe local wildlife. Additionally, Darlaston is within easy reach of the picturesque Staffordshire countryside, providing opportunities for outdoor activities and leisure pursuits.

Overall, Darlaston offers a mix of historical charm and modern conveniences, making it an attractive place to live for those seeking a close community feel, while still having access to urban amenities.

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Darlaston Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.564857/-2.034637 or Grid Reference SO9796. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Richards Art Gallery & Museum, Wednesbury

Built in 1890 to a design by Wood and Kendrick, and now housing a collection of art and craft exhibits, along with period architecture including a fine stone staircase with cast iron balusters. It attracted a Grade II listing Link

& Link

in 1987.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, Town Hall

An OS cutmark beside the entrance door to SO9894 : Town Hall and old Post Office, last levelled in 1962 at 131.497m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn. It does appear on the 1937/38 1:2500 map at a height of 431.47 ft above Liverpool datum, which rather suggests it was used in the 1st Geodetic Levelling survey, a supposition that is supported by the style of the cuts.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, 30 Lower High Street

The OS cutmark lies on one of the quoin stones of the one-time bank in the market place, and was last levelled in 1956 at 139.150m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn. The building appears to be empty at present (Oct 2021)

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, shop on Walsall Street

The shop is described in the OS database as Boots Chemist, but that appears to be no longer the case. The mark was last levelled in 1956 at 141.888m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn, and appears on older maps at 465.56ft Liverpool Datum. It was probably cut as part of the 1st Primary Levelling survey in 1843/44 at which point it was documented as "Mr Anslow's Grocery Shop"

Richard Law

Wednesbury Clock Tower

Built in 1911 to celebrate the coronation of George V, and constructed of sandstone and red brick, with carvings in a Baroque style. It was Grade II listed Link

& Link

in 1987.

Richard Law

31 & 33 Market Place, Wednesbury

The 'Booze King' shop occupies a pair of late 18th century town houses which were Grade II listed Link

& Link

in 1950.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, 2 Union Street

An early OS cutmark on the wall of no 2 Union Street, last levelled in 1956 at 140.860m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn. It also appears on early maps at a height of 462.21ft above Newlyn Datum, based on the 1st Primary Levelling in the period 1912-1921.

Richard Law

Wednesbury District Public Library

The library was built in 1907 to a design by Crouch, Butler and Savage, and attracted a Grade II listing Link

& Link

in 1987.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury Library

An OS cutmark low on the side wall of SO9895 : Wednesbury District Public Library, which was levelled in 1956 at 145.475m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.

Richard Law

Central War Memorial, Wednesbury

Located in the Memorial Gardens, this limestone obelisk was erected in 1926 as a memorial to the fallen of WWI, and Grade II listed Link

& Link

in 1987.

Richard Law

War memorial in Wednesbury

Located in the same gardens as SO9895 : Central War Memorial, Wednesbury, and originally erected in 1926 as a memorial to the fallen of WWI, then additional dedications were made for those lost in WWII. It too attracted a Grade II listing Link

& Link

in 1987.

Richard Law

The Woden Inn, Wednesbury

Despite the writing on the blackboard in the original central doorway which proudly proclaims "Disco, Saturday", there appeared to be significant rebuilding work underway, and I rather suspect it's not currently open or trading as a public house. Happy to be corrected on that front.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, St Batholemew's Church

An OS cutmark on the wall of the porch at the main entrance to the church; last levelled in 1956 at 163.699m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn.

Richard Law

St Bartholomew's Church in Wednesbury

The church was built around 1827, but contains remnants of a much older (14th century) arch as part of the tower structure; the pulpit is early 17th century, and a table tomb in the nave is of similar date. It attracted a Grade II listing Link

& Link

in 1950.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, Church Hill (wall)

An OS cut benchmark in the churchyard wall; last levelled by the OS in 1956 at 162.193m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn. It is probably a fair bit older than that, as it appears on the 1941 map at 532.15 feet above Newlyn.

Richard Law

St Mary's Catholic church in Wednesbury

Built in the mid 1870s by Gilbert Blount, and Grade II listed Link

& Link

in 1987.

Richard Law

OS benchmark - Wednesbury, St Mary's Catholic Church

An OS cutmark on the north wall of the church, photographed with a bit of zoom through the fence that surrounds the church. It was last levelled by the OS in 1956 at 155.866m above Ordnance Datum Newlyn, but is shown on the 1941 map at 511.37ft above Newlyn.

Richard Law

The Old Blue Ball public house

A 19th century public house, with a history of cockfighting when it was landlorded by a publican named Jonah Spittle. It attracted a Grade II listing Link

& Link

in 1979.

Richard Law

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Darlaston is located at Grid Ref: SO9796 (Lat: 52.564857, Lng: -2.034637)

Unitary Authority: Walsall

Police Authority: West Midlands