A new exhibition has opened focusing on the history of Dudley Castle and Himley Hall from the Battle of Hastings right up to the present day.

The exhibition, titled 'The Homes of the Earls of Dudley', is on display at Himley Hall until Sunday 6th October.

It dates right back to the eleventh century and takes in the English Civil War, royal connections and World War Two right up the present day at the historic stately home and what it now has to offer.

The exhibition also features finds from the castle as well as never previously displayed Dudley Castle prints and items loaned by Wolverhampton Archaeology Group. It is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm and entry is free of charge. Councillor Khurshid Ahmed, cabinet member for regeneration, planning and economic investment, said:

"Both Dudley Castle and Himley Hall are jewels in the crown for the borough and have very rich and interesting histories dating back thousands of years. This exhibition provides a very interesting insight into that history and features some previously unseen material.

I would urge people to go along and see it, as well as seeing everything else Himley Hall has to offer.”

There are three other art exhibitions also currently on display at the historic hall. 'All Seasons, All Weathers' – a display of artwork by Shirley Bonas featuring a love of the Wyre Forest and beauty spots in Worcestershire – is on until the end of March.

A diverse collection of photographs from wildlife to architecture by members of Wednesfield Photography Club is also on until the end of next month.

Finally, an exhibition called Places, People, Faces, is currently on at the hall until May 19. It features a variety of portraits and landscapes by artists Keith Turley and Brian Fletcher.

The new coffee lounge at the hall is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm - for more information, head online to himleyhallandpark.co.uk.