Café success helps drive growing visitor numbers at Red House Glass Cone

Less than a year after opening, Heavenly Baking At The Cone has become a firm favourite with residents and visitors alike. Its growing popularity is helping attract more people to the historic Red House Glass Cone in Wordsley, with visitor numbers in the first three months of 2026 increasing by more than 1,600 compared with the same period in 2025.

The café, owned and managed by talented caterer Zoe, 35, opened in October 2025 and has quickly built a loyal customer base. Its growing reputation is helping to draw new visitors to the Grade II listed attraction.

Visitors can enjoy barista-made coffee, freshly prepared breakfasts and lunches, alongside a range of handmade cakes, with gluten-free and vegan options also available. The café’s standout bestseller is the traditional Manchester tart – a delicious combination of pastry, jam, cake cream and toasted coconut.

Open seven days a week from 10am to 4pm, the café offers a warm welcome in a unique historic setting beside the canal, while an upstairs event space accommodating up to 40 guests is available for private hire, including baby showers, afternoon teas and celebrations.

True to Zoe’s philosophy of "small supporting small", as many ingredients as possible are sourced from local Black Country and West Midlands suppliers.

Zoe, who has 19 years’ catering experience and also runs the successful Heavenly Baking restaurant at Walsall Garden Centre, said:

"It's been amazing to see how people have embraced Heavenly Baking At The Cone. Customers often tell us they came for a coffee and cake and ended up spending hours exploring the Cone and its fascinating history.

"The Red House Glass Cone is such a special place. It absolutely exudes history, but it's also incredibly peaceful, sitting right next to the canal. Whether someone wants a full lunch, afternoon tea or simply a cup of tea and a friendly chat, we want everyone to feel welcome here.

"We've worked hard to restore the café space and celebrate its historic character, so it's wonderful to see it becoming a community hub. We're on a real roll. We hope even more people will come and discover everything the Cone has to offer."

Zoe's own story is one of determination and inspiration. Following a life-changing operation in 2013, she was able to pursue her passion for catering and has built a successful business while helping young people gain valuable skills, confidence and employment opportunities.

Working alongside a local college, Zoe has provided training opportunities for students with additional needs, with several progressing into employment. One former student now manages her Walsall venue, while another has become an accomplished baker supplying treats to both businesses.

Inspired by her nan, who trained as a pâtissier in Switzerland, Zoe also continues to find new ways to connect the café with the site's rich heritage. In August, she will launch a special Glass Makers Lunch, inspired by the packed lunches once brought to work by glassmakers who laboured at the Cone during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The café is also dog-friendly and even offers a menu for four-legged visitors.

Councillor Damian Corfield, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said:

"Heavenly Baking has quickly become an important part of the visitor experience at the Red House Glass Cone. The cafe is helping attract new audiences while encouraging people to spend more time exploring this remarkable historic site.

"The combination of great food and drink, a peaceful canalside location and one of the region's most remarkable historic landmarks is proving to be a winning recipe. Alongside our growing craft studios and new visitor experiences, the café is helping strengthen the Cone’s role as a key heritage, cultural and visitor destination within the Glass Quarter."

Standing 100 feet tall, the Red House Glass Cone operated for more than 150 years and is one of only four surviving glass cones in the UK, as well as the best preserved. Located in the heart of the Glass Quarter, it celebrates the Black Country's internationally renowned glassmaking heritage.

Visitors can also explore the craft studios, exhibitions, gift shop and family-friendly activities. The attraction has recently launched a new digital audio guide, while there are plans to open a hot glass studio on site.

The café’s success forms part of wider efforts to increase visitors to the Glass Quarter, supporting local businesses, creative industries and the continued regeneration of the heritage destination.

For Zoe, the recipe for success is simple.

"Good food, good company and a warm welcome never go out of fashion. We're creating more than a café – we're creating a place where people can relax, connect and make memories. If you've never visited before, now is the perfect time to pop in and see what all the fuss is about. We promise it'll be a heavenly experience."

For more details on the café, including the full menu, go to www.dudley.gov.uk/things-to-do/museums/red-house-glass-cone/on-site-cafe/