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The Black Country Living Museum Trust

Also known as: The Black Country Museum Trust Limited, The Black Country Living Museum

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.

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Activities & Mission

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.

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Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 10 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£10,764,418
Latest Expenditure
£11,144,561

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 72.9%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 70.4%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 29.8%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £324,216
Charitable Activities £6,402,007
Other Trading £4,025,198
Investments £9,410
Other Income £3,587

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £7,846,738
Raising Funds £3,297,823
Governance £19,453
Grants to Institutions £0
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2025
£10,764,418
£11,144,561£7,846,738£36,201,596£1,343,586208 / 190
2024
£10,659,222
£11,645,563£8,115,796£36,607,739£922,256209 / 180
2023
£12,855,700
£11,241,026£7,790,898£37,616,080£1,096,179152 / 180
2022
£15,751,392
£9,219,316£6,597,034£35,958,406£1,150,803174 / 168
2021
£19,729,222
£7,311,717£5,404,281£27,816,330£2,578,787149 / 185

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Black Country Living Museum Trust

What does The Black Country Living Museum Trust do?

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.

How much income did The Black Country Living Museum Trust report in 2025?

The Black Country Living Museum Trust reported total income of £10.76m and reported expenditure of £11.14m for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The Black Country Living Museum Trust registered as a charity?

The Black Country Living Museum Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 10 October 1975 as charity number 504481. It has been registered for 51 years.

Who runs The Black Country Living Museum Trust?

The Black Country Living Museum Trust is governed by a board of 13 trustees. The chair of trustees is Duncan Peter Bedhall. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Black Country Living Museum Trust operate?

The Black Country Living Museum Trust operates across 10 areas, including Birmingham City, Coventry City, Dudley and 7 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The Black Country Living Museum Trust a registered charity?

Yes — The Black Country Living Museum Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 504481.

Details

Contact (address, email, phone)
Website
www.bclm.com
Registration Date
10 October 1975
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
504481
Charity Number
504481

Trustees

Duncan Peter Bedhall Chair
Caroline Southall
Councillor Philip Atkins
Dileep Singh Marway
Dr Nicola Claire Guy
Emma Norris
Hasan Afzal
Jonathan Badyal
Katy Baker
Louise Jones
Ruth Marie Levesley
Sally Bourner
Tarlok Singh Mander

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • The Black Country Museum Trust Limited
  • The Black Country Living Museum

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
9 November 2026
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