Stourbridge Canal, Dudley, West Midlands (13. Glasshouse Bridge)

Standing here we really can get a feeling of the Stourbridge glassmaking industry. The White House Glassworks, now a museum, stood on the former home of Stuart's. This was built shortly after the canal's arrival. In the latter part of the nineteenth century the site was occupied by Edward Webb, who specialised in tableware and coloured glass. On the towpath side was the Wordsley Flint Glassworks which was one of the biggest in the area. It was built in the late eighteenth century and became home to the Richardson Glass Company from around 1829. Manufacturing ceased in 1924. Across the canal is the unmistakable Red House Glass Cone. This was built between 1788 and 1794 by Richard Bradley. Glassmaking continued here until 1936. The glass cone fell into disrepair but reopened again in 2002 as a visitor attraction. Just four intact glassmaking cones are left standing in Britain. The Red House Glass Cone is the most complete example. If you have the time at the end of the walk, do take the self-guided tour around the cone to learn more about what it was once like to work here. Then visit the White House Cone Museum of Glass directly opposite to finish our walk through the heart of the Stourbridge glass industry.  Directions Retrace your steps and go back under Glasshouse Bridge. Go up the ramp to the top of the bridge. Turn right onto the A491 High Street (crossing the canal). Continue for about 50 metres and stop outside the Red House Glass Cone Museum.