The attractive village of Wombourne lies in the southern most part of South Staffordshire and adjacent to the county borders of Shropshire and Worcestershire. Once recorded in the Doomsday Book as having 12 families, it has since expanded to become one of the largest villages in the UK (population circa 16,000). Close to the major conurbations of Birmingham and Wolverhampton and occupying a semi-rural location with direct access to beautiful countryside, it has views stretching westwards towards the Wrekin, Clee Hills, Malverns and Mid Wales.
Lying centre-stage is the cricket, tennis and bowling club, once the only completely walled -in ground in the UK, although the brick wall has now been replaced by a railing fence which allows uninterrupted views. The impressive Anglican parish church of St Benedict BIscop lies opposite the entrance to the cricket club in a local conservation area. Whilst a church has existed on the present site for more than a thousand years, the current building dates back to the 1860’s – it is also the only church in the UK dedicated to St Benedict Biscop. St Benedict has a daughter church The Venerable Bede situated at the western edge of the village. There are also five further churches in the village, representing other denominations.
Local village shops surround the cricket ground as does the library, Civic and Community Centres. The area is well served by a number of nursery, primary and secondary schools and there is a small industrial state at the village’s north-western fringe.
Just beyond the eastern edge of the village is Himley Hall (originally the home of the Lords of Dudley), standing sedately in the wonderful grounds of Himley Park, designed by Capability Brown, with its yachting lake and golf course and walks leading up onto Baggeridge Country Park. Wombourne is also home to a beautiful section of the Staffordshire/Worcester canal including the well known Bratch Locks and Pumping Station. Many paths originate from the village and visitors can take a lovely stroll along the canal side and the former railway track, with a stop for coffee and cake at the old railway station..
If you plan to visit the church and village then use the opportunity to take in some of the other attractions that South Staffordshire has to offer by viewing the Staffordshire Visitor Attractions Guide. or visiting the Enjoy Staffordshire website