The Original Photograph
The Thorneycroft Balloon Ascent from the grounds of the Molineux Hotel, 11 September 1882. Photograph P/1310, showing the hot air balloon "Dudley Castle" ascending over vast crowds.
11 September 1882 • The "Dudley Castle" • Wolverhampton to Smethwick
In 1882, despite bad weather that seriously threatened the attempt, Colonel Thomas Thorneycroft managed to ascend in a hot air balloon called the Dudley Castle, from the grounds of the Molineux Hotel. The balloon drifted over his family home of Tettenhall Towers before landing safely in Smethwick.
Colonel Thorneycroft was a wealthy industrialist, retired ironmaster, and one of Wolverhampton's most eccentric characters. He was obsessed with ventilation systems, built a 500-seat theatre inside his home complete with a 44-foot indoor waterfall, and allegedly tested flying machines by launching his butlers from the towers of his mansion.
The Mysterious Wind Shift: The balloon first drifted northwest from Wolverhampton to Tettenhall, then dramatically shifted southeast toward Smethwick - a complete reversal suggesting either changing weather conditions or different wind patterns at altitude. Click the 🎈 markers to see what the Colonel would have witnessed from the sky.
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The Thorneycroft Balloon Ascent from the grounds of the Molineux Hotel, 11 September 1882. Photograph P/1310, showing the hot air balloon "Dudley Castle" ascending over vast crowds.
This is an invitation to walk beneath the Colonel's route at ground level, discovering what he saw from above - and what he missed.
What the Colonel Saw: A Victorian park barely a year old, opened 6 June 1881. The bandstand - donated by MP Charles Pelham Villiers just THREE MONTHS before the flight (29 May 1882) - would have gleamed new in the September sun.
The Hidden History: This was "Hungry Leas" - boggy, useless marshland. Before that, a racecourse called Broad Meadows. The ornamental lake isn't decorative - it's drainage infrastructure, the park built on top of a drained wetland.
Find it: Park Road East/West, WV1 4PW
What the Colonel Saw: The Wolverhampton Grammar School's impressive new building (1875), only seven years old. Victorian Tudor Revival architecture - all pointed gables and romantic historicism - sitting proud on Compton Road.
The Hidden History: Founded 1515 by Stephen Jenyns of the Merchant Taylors' Guild. The school had been in the town centre on John Street for over 350 years. This building represented Victorian ambition - moving education out to the suburbs, fresh air and space.
Find it: Compton Road, WV3 9RB (still operating)
What the Colonel Saw: The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal threading through the valley. Working boats, smoke from nearby industry, the industrial sublime.
The Hidden History: This summit lock at Compton (1766) is believed to be THE FIRST NARROW LOCK EVER BUILT. James Brindley's revolutionary 'narrow gauge' design - cheaper, faster to build, using less water. Every narrow canal in Britain descends from this prototype.
By 1882, this lock was 116 years old - ancient infrastructure still functioning perfectly. 31 locks climb 294 feet from the River Severn at Stourport to this point. 12 more will drop it toward the Trent & Mersey.
Find it: Smestow Valley, near Compton Road
What the Colonel Saw: Probably nothing - you can't see this from altitude.
The Hidden History: The Smestow Brook crosses OVER the canal via a small aqueduct planned by Brindley. Not a grand statement like Pontcysyllte - this is subtle infrastructure. The canal goes under the stream to preserve natural water flow. Hydraulic courtesy from 1771.
Find it: Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve
What the Colonel Saw: St Peter's spire puncturing the smoky horizon to the east.
The Hidden History: In 994 AD, Lady Wulfruna endowed a minster church on this site. Nearly 900 years old when the balloon flew over. The town takes its name from her: Wulfruna's Heantun (high town).
The church the Colonel saw was largely 15th century - medieval bones under Victorian restoration.
Find it: City centre, Lichfield Street
What the Colonel Saw: The road network below - but the turnpike gates were already being dismantled or had recently vanished.
The Hidden History: Tettenhall Gate (Chapel Ash), Bilston Street Gate, Compton Gate - these toll points were crucial to 19th century movement. In 1824, Tettenhall and Bilston Street gates showed profits of over £1200 each.
By 1882, the turnpike trust system was collapsing. The gates the Colonel knew from his youth were ghosts - infrastructure erased, roads "freed."
Find it: Everywhere and nowhere
Duration: 2-3 hours | Distance: ~3.5 miles one way | Terrain: Urban streets and canal towpath
All times are visible simultaneously if you know where to look.