The Black Country Living Museum Trust
Analysis
The Black Country Living Museum Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Dudley. It was registered in October 1975, 51 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, arts/culture/heritage/science, environment/conservation/heritage and recreation, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01226321). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides services and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Black Country Living Museum Trust reported income of £10.8m and spending of £11.1m, spending 104% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £19.7m to £10.8m (-45%), an average of -14% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2022, when income dropped by 20%. Over the whole period it spent 72% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Black Country Living Museum Trust sits at the 99th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include London Contemporary Dance (The Place) Limited (£10.8m), Halle Concerts Society (£10.8m) and Northern Ballet Limited (£10.7m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 59%, trading 37% and donations and legacies 3.0%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £55k. Charitable activities took 70% of spending and raising funds 30%. Reserves of £1.3m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 208 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 2.5%
- Legacies 0.5%
- Charitable activities 59%
- Trading 37%
- Investments 0.1%
- Other 0.0%
In the charity's own words
The open-air Museum, through the use of its Designated collections, provides opportunities for the public, including many thousands of pupils and students, to gain a better understanding, appreciation and knowledge of the history and international significance and impact of the Black Country and its people, over a period of 200 years, to c1960.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| London Contemporary Dance (The Place) Limited | 16 Flaxman Terrace, London, | £10.8m |
| Halle Concerts Society | Manchester | £10.8m |
| Northern Ballet Limited | Leeds | £10.7m |
| The Tank Museum Limited | Dorset | £10.8m |