Wolverhampton in a Few Minutes
Wolverhampton has the best name of any English city and that’s just that.
While you would be forgiven for thinking that this particular English city was full of wolves, Wolverhampton actually has some pretty neat other stuff going for it. We will admit we were more than a little disappointed in the lack of growling animals, though.
Want to know what the best things are about Wolverhampton are? We asked the locals, and this is what they said…
A Secretive History
Wolverhampton has its beginnings away back in the first thousand years of history. Our story begins with a Mercian king named Wulfhere: the first Christian King that Mercia had. Wulfhere was made king in 658 and by 659 had established an Abbey in Wolverhampton… which wasn’t yet a place. As of yet, no trace of the Abbey has been found. It is speculated that it was built over. Henry VIII had a bit of a habit of destroying Abbeys and relocating their stones… but we are getting distracted.
Although it is claimed that the Mercians and the West Saxons won a huge battle against the Vikings in Wolverhampton, around 910; they were a little late to do so. Mercia was, at one point, in the hands of Danish kings. Evidence remains all over the region of this. Wednesfield and the Field of Woden, both named after the one-eyed Danish God – still remain to this day. It was Ivar the Boneless that captured Mercia. It remained in Danish hands until some time in the 9th century. It is said that the last Mercian king died in 879.
So we know that Wolverhampton existed before history as we know it. Certainly, the land has been populated since before the Vikings came or it wouldn’t have been absorbed into the Danelaw. Either way, the story gets only more mysterious as we go on…
What we Know about Wolverhampton…
The town was founded ‘officially’ in 985 by a Staffordshire landowner named Wolfrun. Some accounts have this person as a woman, some as a man. The name itself is from Old High German and combines ‘wolf’ with ‘secret/magic’… take from that what you will.
In 994 that same person – be it male or female, or both, or neither – founded a church and a monastery. Some sources have the founder’s name as Wulruna Heanton, and from that we take Wolverhampton. The church and monastery were given lots of parcels of land over the years and would have sat where St. Peter’s Church is nowadays.
In 1086 Wolverhampton made an appearance in the Domesday Survey as being in Staffordshire. It was made up of around fifty houses – a huge settlement back then, but not a city yet. It is recorded in some places as being a ‘small’ settlement. To us, fifty houses is small. Back then, your average town was no more than ten buildings.
A little under a hundred years later there is mention of Wolverhampton as a market town. The next occurrence in the annals of time is to record a disgruntled King John of the same time period (the Nottingham/Robin Hood King John) who was annoyed that they were running this market without royal decree. Apparently, the people went ahead and did it anyway. King John never granted the charter out of spite. King Henry the third granted it in 1258… when presumably nobody cared anymore.
Interesting Wolverhampton Facts
Let’s break up all this history with a few fun facts! Here are some things we at Five Minutes Spare are pretty sure you didn’t know about Wolverhampton:
- 2 farmers from Wolverhampton harboured two of the gunpowder plotters from the original 5th of November. They were hung, drawn, and quartered in the middle of town in 1606. Sorry, wait… We did say fun facts, didn’t we?
- Wolverhampton didn’t receive official city status until the year 2000. This despite being a vastly inhabited market town for nearly 800 years previous.
- The Wolverhampton Warriors soccer team is one of the founding members of the Football League, back in 1888. It’s partially thanks to them that we play football as we know it today!
- In 1930, Wolverhampton was home to the world’s largest trolleybus system for a few months.
- They have a bit of a war going on with internet reviewers Lonely Planet. The Mayor reportedly commented that the picture they paint is not an accurate one. You can read the full article here… it’s pretty funny.
So although it seems like a quiet, calm, uneventful place, some interesting things do happen in Wolverhampton. You just need to stick around long enough to see them. Anyway, back to the five-minute history lesson.
The Fires of 1590
Wolverhampton was a stable market town for two hundred years, selling wool as its primary product. The Wolverhampton Grammar School was founded in 1512. Later that century the first of two deadly fires would ravage the town.
Both fires began in Salop Street. The second was in 1696. Both took unrecorded numbers of lives and both burned for days. The first lasted five days and left countless families without shelter. The second burned through more than 60 houses, killing, injuring, and making homeless as it went.
In 1703 one of the first fire engines in Britain was purchased by Wolverhampton, and the story didn’t repeat itself again.
The Industrial Side of the City
Wolverhampton was a noted lock making city, as well as having heavy involvement in the automobile industry, back in the early years. There have always been strong links with transport in town, evidenced by the way it lies in the path between London and Ireland. It also did well in the textile sector, making and weaving wool.
In 1772 the first canals were created into the city. This led to proper industrialisation as more goods flowed through it. It gained gas streetlamps in 1821, electricity in 1895, then a railway in 1837. They didn’t get sewers until after 1850 though… this thanks to an 1830s visit from Queen Victoria which had her brand the place as ‘dirty’ but ‘friendly and welcoming’.
A Diseased Town
There were two huge cholera outbreaks in Wolverhampton, one in 1832, another in 1849. After this, the introduction of sewers made things a little better. A dispensary for free medication for the poor opened at the start of the same century, but the hospital was opened in 1849 out of necessity.
Now; there are parts of the midlands, Wolverhampton included, where history goes a little dark around about the time of the black plague. As you can imagine, Wolverhampton was a waystation town; it was a place on passed through if they were travelling west from London. There were many people coming and going, and there are few records of the tow during this time.
Historians speculate that this area of the country was decimated – at least. Some places recorded death rates of 19% of the population, some (like the Manor of Aston) recorded 80%. We know that the village of Eyam lost 260 inhabitants, and parish records say there were no people left to bury the dead. Afterwards, famine spread. There were no people left to work in the fields.
We can only speculate at the death toll in Wolverhampton. What we do know is that the lands are known as the ‘Blacklands’ because of both the plague and the cholera outbreaks. History simply doesn’t know what the death toll was, but you can read more about it here.
Wolverhampton During the War
During both wars, deposits of coal and iron in the area made Wolverhampton of great importance to the war effort. Women served at home, producing munitions, while the men went overseas to bravely fight for their country.
To this day, heroes of the town are remembered. One was Mrs MG Nicklin, who had eleven children and a 50 hour a week job. The other, a pilot named Harry Smith. Harry was just 20 years old when his plane crash-landed a few miles from the Dutch/German border. He was buried in an anonymous grave until his dog-tags and a cigarette case belonging to another of the crew was found at the crash site. He died in 1944… only months before the war ended.
Wolverhampton was bombed in WWI, back when the Germans were still perfecting the technique. They used zeppelins back then which were fortunately far from efficient or stealthy meaning weren’t able to do too much damage. This also had a positive knock-on effect in that by the time they had rolled out the bomber plane in WWII, Wolverhampton had built plenty of air raid shelters As a result, there were very few casualties in Wolverhampton from air raids. Casualty wise they did much better than most cities during the war although the structural damage was still significant.
It is thought that the combination of air raid shelters along with the proximity to Birmingham sort of cushioned Wolverhampton from the worst of the blitz; that being said, in 1942 they were bombed heavily enough for 17 houses to be wrecked. Some of which had to be completely demolished and rebuilt. The fact that we can tell you these houses were on St. Giles Crescent, and that numbers 2, 4, 33, 34, and 35 were the ones that needed rebuilding, speaks volumes for the relative lack of damage the city took.
Wolverhampton played its part in the effort though produced armaments, ‘war materials’ and engineering works. Their contribution has never been forgotten – either in terms of the thousands of young men they sent to the front nor in terms of their industry. Without important towns like these things would probably not have turned out as they did.
Famous Faces from Wolverhampton
Some of the best-known famous people from Wolverhampton are:
- Beverly Knight, famous singer and performance artist, was born in Wolverhampton and was last seen working with the LED Green Orchestra.
- Carina Round was born here… You don’t know her, but you know here soundtracks. Most notably, American Horror Story features some of her work.
- The wrestler Trent Seven is from Wolverhampton, as is Tyler Bate from WWE. For such a friendly city they sure do raise some fighters…
- The bassist Paul Raven, famous for playing with Prog and Killing Joke, was born in Wolverhampton. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2007 – but his legacy lives on.
There have been several hundred famous people to come out of Wolverhampton over the years. Such an old town was bound to produce a few stars. You can check out the Ranker list by following this link.
Wolverhampton Attractions
So now that we know how the city came to be what it is today; let’s look at the best attractions in Wolverhampton… as told by the locals themselves; in list format – because everyone loves a list right!
1 – Football
The city is a bit of a football hotbed and is home to the World Famous Wolverhampton Wanderers, whose home stadium Molineux has stood on Waterloo Road since 1889. Formed way back in 1877 they have the distinction of being one of the 12 founder members of the Football League, although it did take them until 1954 to win it for the first time. They were “The Team” for much of the 1950s winning three league titles and an FA Cup, and although things have honours wise been a bit leaner since they are currently (2019-20) doing well in the top flight. They also hold a classic “Not a lot of people know that” distinction in that they have won five different divisional titles… Five I hear you asking? Yes, each of the four current divisions and the old Third Division North back in 1923-24. No other team has or is likely to ever match that distinction – although Portsmouth holds the same honour, but theirs includes the Third Division South, ironically also via winning it in the 1923-24 season. Honestly, you couldn’t make it up.
Anyway if you fancy taking in a game then consider going to one of the local derby matches. Sadly they rarely play their closest neighbours Walsall but they do often clash with West Brom and matches against Birmingham and Aston Villa are also ones to experience.
As befitting a club with such a history the team even has its own museum which is open Friday to Sunday and also on match days. They also run stadium tours on Sundays which are very popular – probably as they encourage you to take photos and selfies. These can be combined with a museum visit and if you do fancy one we would recommend that you book online rather than just turning up as they do tend to sell out.
Finally, before we leave this bit of our whirlwind guide we would add that as football fans go Wolves supporters tend to be the nicer type being welcoming to neutral supporters and friendly enough to away fans; not something you can say for every team.
If sports and recreation are your thing, then Wolverhampton Swimming and Fitness Centre has a pool with your name on it. You can also check out Alderley Leisure Village – which isn’t as extensive a complex as it sounds, but does get slightly better reviews.
2 – Sightseeing
We already mentioned St. Peter’s Church before, but it is a bit of a landmark because of its age. It is still in use, too. Check out the Wightwick Manor and Gardens, which falls on the top landmark in Wolverhampton according to Trip Advisor. It was built during the ‘arts and crafts period’ between 1880 and 1920. It’s Victorian, the owners loved the arts. It also has a second-hand bookshop that reviewers love.
The Moseley Old Hall is another fascinating sight to see. It has plenty of gardens for you to roam. It was built to accommodate Bonnie Prince Charlie while he was hiding after the Battle of Worcester. Bonnie Prince Charlie gets a lot of hate in England. We’d like to point out that not all Scots were Jacobites… Clan Campbell chased him just as hard as anyone else did. Anyway… we are getting distracted again.
The Essington Fruit Farm makes for another landmark you can go see – but this one has its own fruit picking season. Show up in late spring, or anytime during the summer, and pick enough fruit to make your own jam. Alternatively, find a forest and do it for free. Up to you.
3 – Shopping in Wolverhampton
Bilston market is just outside of the city – but so worth the effort of travelling. It has all sorts of nick-nacks, some brilliant bargains, and is all outdoors. If you want a traditional marketplace instead of a big shopping centre, then head to Bilston on any day of the week. If you want to stay in the city then check out the Mander Centre as an alternative for finding the best fashion.
4 – Art Galleries and Museums
The Wolverhampton Art Gallery has beautiful exhibits, plenty of open spaces, and is available for hire if you need a corporate event space. It is run by the Wolverhampton Arts and Culture department, who have a whole range of sights to see. The Wolverhampton ‘Wolves’ have their own museum if you want to learn about the history of football. You can have your choice from the Bantock House Museum, the Locksmith’s preserved house, or the Black Country Living Museum. There are a half a dozen more but you get the idea. The Arts and Culture dept. have news on them all. If the theatre is more your thing then check out the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton’s best place for catching a show.
5 – Parks and Nature
As far as outdoor spaces in Wolverhampton go, you still have a good deal of choices. Check out David Austin Roses for some of the prettiest flowers in town, or take the kids to the Wild Zoological Park to see some small animals. You can also visit West Park for a picnic, or the Racecourse for a day out you can rely on. They hold a regular lady’s day and have fun days for the little ones. We hear there are dinosaurs… They also do venue hire if you need to book somewhere for your wedding.
West Park itself has a little history to it. It was originally known as the People’s Park and was opened in 1881. It was built on a layout designed by £50 grand prize… In those days that would have equalled a small fortune. The layout includes ornamental flower beds and space for archery, cricket and bowls.
Where to Eat, Drink, Party, Then Stay, in Wolverhampton?
For something a little different to eat, Locals recommend the African Village. It has a variety of full flavours and spices that will rock your taste buds and make you fall in love with African cuisine. If you want something closer to home, then the Burger House is a great place to take the kids of a weekend. Baego’s is better for catching a quick bite while you stroll around the shops.
For a night on the tiles then the Bohemian Bar is a firm favourite. The Royal London Bar is where you go if you are over seventy and want a stiff pint, and the Grain Store is a gin bar that sells food. If you prefer to dance the night away, then Wolverhampton doesn’t disappoint. You can visit the Slade Rooms for a high-end party. The Hummingbird is also a local favourite for those that love a good dance.
As to where to stay, well you have all the usual suspects. You will find a premier inn and a Travelodge just like you will find in any other city. If you are anxious for some five-star treatment then we would suggest you stay at the Coleman Studios. It’s sleek, elegant, and chic. Likewise, if you are on a budget try the Solace Community. We do notice that the cheaper hotels in Wolverhampton beat the hostel prices so do keep an eye out.
So as you can see – Wolverhampton has it all! From places to stay to places to see… You could spend months here and never get bored!
How to Get To Wolverhampton
So now you know everything that we know about Wolverhampton – except how to get there. We don’t want to leave you hanging, so here goes!
By Road
Take the M54 west out of Birmingham, or head north from London until the M1 becomes the M5. You can take the ring-road east around Birmingham and you will hit Wolverhampton, too.
By Rail
Wolverhampton is approximately 1 hour and 47 minutes from London by train.
By Boat
Don’t be silly… although if you have a houseboat you can genuinely get there on the Worcester Canal. However Wolverhampton has its own boating club, so it isn’t that far beyond the realms of possibility. Pretty far from the sea though, so maybe leave the yacht in the docks.
By Air
They do have a small airport but it is more for domestic use than actual international flying. It would be safer to get your flight to Birmingham and catch the train. You are within an hour of Birmingham airport, so you don’t have all that much travelling to do. However, if you want to learn to fly then the Halfpenny Green Airport in Wolverhampton is a pretty awesome place.
Got Five Minutes?
If you still feel you have time to kill, then have no fear! We at Five Minutes Spare have all sorts of travel guides on hand to help you plan your next city break. Not your style? That’s fine! You can use the information nestled in our pages to pick up a new hobby or learn a new skill. Anything’s possible when you have five minutes spare, the internet, and a bit of willingness!
