7 creative things to do next term in Wolverhampton

With an emerging arts scene and rich local history, this city just 13 miles from Birmingham has a lot to offer. Time to embrace the new university year, and your creative side…

1. Getting crafty

From the art gallery to art classes, there are plenty of art workshops to choose from in the city. Newhampton Arts Centre hosts a number of classes, including life drawing, pottery and printing.

Plus, for additional art demonstrations and sketch nights, Wolverhampton Society of Art offers regular group events to help you to meet other like-minded artists in the city. With a £5 joining fee and £3 annual fee for students, it’s a small cost for a great selection of events.

2. VIP Wolverhampton Vinyl Record Fair

Fully embracing the vinyl revival? Hoping to acquire a vintage vinyl player for the new term? Get along to this “massive record shop” at Slade Rooms on 21st September for your choice of pre-loved hip hop, reggae, prog rock and everything else. Admission £3.

3. Asylum Art Gallery

The ethos of Asylum Art Gallery, a five-minute walk from the city centre, is on emerging local artists, freedom of expression, and instilling pride and self-esteem in the community. Sounds like a very important cause to us. Find out more on their website.

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Impromptu exhibition no.2 Asylum art gallery chapel ash wolves get down here tonight 7pm till later B.Y.O.B music poetry Art.

A post shared by Ewan Johnston (@ewanjohnstonart) on Jun 30, 2017 at 5:46am PDT

4. Garrison Saloon Bar

Ok, so it’s technically in Dudley - but it’s five miles, so just hob in an Uber to this newly-opened Peaky Blinders themed bar, and celebrate the small screen phenomenon that has had everyone’s eyes on the Black Country for a good few years now. The bar is filled with 1920s decor, and is housed in old radio offices on the waterfront. We hope your Instagram can handle it.

5. Light House

Housed in the Victorian Chubb Building, Light House is the only independent cinema in the Black Country - which should be enough to make you visit in itself. From Hollywood blockbusters to thematic retrospectives (see the recent “Classic Horror Season”), plus exhibitions, you’ll expand your cultural brain whilst supporting a registered arts charity. Cinema tickets are £4.50 for under 25s.

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Come and join us at the Lockworks bar for an array of spirits, ales and wines within the iconic Chubb buildings #lighthousemediacentre #wolverhampton #bar #cocktails #gin

A post shared by Light House Media Centre (@lighthousewolverhampton) on Aug 28, 2018 at 2:01pm PDT

6. Wolverhampton Grand Theatre

Wolverhampton Grand has already played host to Sherlock Holmes, Annie, Macbeth, Ghost The Musical, Dirty Dancing, a stage version of The Girl On The Train and a singalong screening of The Greatest Showman this year. That’s quite a theatrical roster. Go on, book a VIP booth - you might just have the time of your life (sorry).

7. David Austin Roses

Budding photographer? Have a wander around this aesthetically pleasing rose garden and practice your aperture skills. We can’t think of a more wholesome weekend activity after the freshers week indulgence that's coming up.

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Our roses are putting on quite a show! .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ . ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #davidaustin #davidaustinroses #englishroses #roses #loveroses #fragrantroses #fragrantflowers #fragrance #garden #gardening #rosegarden #horticulture #flowers #flowerslovers #flowersofinstagram #flowerstagram #instaflowers #gardeninspiration #gardeninspo #gardener #gardenerslife #shropshire

A post shared by David Austin Roses (@david_austin_roses) on Jun 15, 2018 at 9:17am PDT

Lead image: Lee Jordan

Additional reporting by Lucy Miller and Laura Brown