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Birmingham's Heritage Attractions

Birmingham's exciting history has left us a number of outstanding heritage attractions to discover, explore and enjoy!

Aston Hall

Highlights include the Jacobean splendour of Aston Hall (see page header) which has recently re-opened following a £13million pound restoration project in 2009.

The Jewellery Quarter

The Jewellery Quarter dates back over 250 years and is still home to over 400 jewellery businesses. A designated conservation area with over 200 listed buildings, it is a proposed World Heritage Site. It has been described by English Heritage as a unique historic environment in England, which has few, if any, parallels in Europe.

The Quarter also contains Birmingham’s last remaining Georgian Square in the tranquil surroundings of St Paul’s, with its fine restaurants, bars and galleries and has over 100 specialist jewellery retailers for classic pieces and beautiful handcrafted jewellery where visitors even can commission their own design. Gems of the quarter are the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, The Pen Room Museum, St Paul's Gallery as well as the the Birmingham Assay Office where you can learn about the history of Hallmarking and find out their role in the 21st century.

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery

To fully appreciate the extraordinary range of the city’s heritage, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is a must-see. It’s internationally significant collections of art and history include the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelites in the world.

After a visit at the museum, you can enjoy an English tea in the historical Edwardian tea room.

Churches & Cathedrals

Birmingham Cathedral has been a place of Christian worship since 1715 – designed by the English Baroque architect, Thomas Archer. Situated in the heart of the city, it is open and staffed every day of the year.

A further gem is St Paul's Church at St Paul's square where Birmingham's last remaining Georgian architecture can be found. The church is located in the historic Jewellery Quarter.

St Martin's Church next to Bullring, is Birmingham's oldest church. The first building was founded in 1290.

Faith Encounter Programme

Working for mutual respect and understanding between people of all faiths and communities the Faith Encounter Programme have trained Faith Guides at 20 places of worship in the city. They offer training, speakers and tours related to Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Unitarian, Jain and Buddhist faiths.

For more information contact www.faithencounter.org.uk

Historic buildings

Outside of the city centre, visitors can enjoy delightfully restored Blakesley Hall, a timber-framed farmhouse built in the 16th century, and magical Sarehole Mill in Hall Green – which formed the inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s ‘Hobbiton’ in The Lord of the Rings. Sarehole Mill is a Grade II listed water mill.
The 200-year old mill is one of the only surviving water mills in Birmingham. A second water mill can be found in Sutton Coldfield. The Grade 2 listed building New Hall Mill is a significant local example of industrial heritage and has been described as 'Sutton's little gem'.

A visit to Soho House is a must - a carefully restored Georgian House, which was once the home of Matthew Boulton and meeting place of the world famous Lunar Society.

The Oratory

As part of his visit to England in September 2010, Pope Benedict XVI visited the Oratory in Birmingham where he became the first person to pray at the new shrine for the Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman. At the Oratory visitors can find out more about the Oratory's current apostolate, its past and present community, S. Philip and his worldwide family, Cardinal John Henry Newman or about connected figures with the Oratory, such as J. R. R. Tolkien.

Botanical Gardens and stately homes

Winterbourne House & Garden is a rare surviving example of an early 20th century suburban villa and garden. The former home of John Nettlefold, the ground floor has Arts and Craft styled exhibition spaces and the botanic garden is also open to the public.

Botanical_Gardens The Birmingham Botanical Gardens & Glasshouses, located in the beautiful Edgbaston, are a 15 acre oasis of delight. The gardens were designed by leading garden planner of this time J.C. Loudon and opened to subscribers in 1832. Today, visitors can enjoy nature at its best and discover the importance of plants.

Birmingham Back to Backs

Birmingham's last surviving court of Back to Back Housing offers a step back in time. This National Trust location is a beautifully restored 19th-century courtyard of working people's houses. It’s a story told through the experiences of the people who lived and worked here over four periods from 1840 to 1977. The design of each interior reflects the varied cultures, religions and professions of the families who made their homes here. Shown by guided tour only, booking is a must. For a authentic history experience, you can stay at one of the National Trust holiday cottages in Birmingham (right image below).

Black Country Living Museum

Travel back in time and discover a fascinating world of the Black Country Living Museum which portrays the daily life 100 years ago in the Black Country.

Historic buildings from all around the Black Country have been moved and authentically rebuilt at the Museum, to show how the people once have lived in the heart of industrial Britain.

Transported back in time from the modern exhibition halls to the canal-side village, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsmen bring the buildings to life with their local knowledge, visitors learn more about the practical skills and experience the unique Black Country humour.

Motor heritage museums

There are three motor heritage museums in Birmingham and the wider region.

The Aston Manor Road Transport Museum is a must-visit museum for every motorcycle heritage fan. From buses, coaches, commercial vehicles and tramcar bodies are housed in a 19th century tram deport.

The Heritage Motor Centre motor museum is located in Gaydon and is home to the worlds greatest collection of British Cars! The museum tells the story, from some of the very first cars to take to British roads, right up to the latest designs.

Coventry is the birthplace of the British cycle and motor industry. At the Coventry Transport Museum, visitors can discover the fascinating story behind the development of road transport from the earliest cycles to land speed record breakers.

Bournville & Cadbury World

In the end of the 19th century the Cadbury brother's , John and George Cadbury relocated outside of Birmingham's city centre to open their Cadbury chocolate factory and to found the village Bournville for their factory workers. Today Cadbury World is a major family attractions where young and old can learn more about chocolate and its making.

Canals

Canal boat in Birmingham Birmingham is 'Britain's canal city'. As such, we have many canal-side walks. Much industrial heritage is still present with canals that were built over 200 years ago. The same is true of buildings that site alongside. All can be seen and enjoyed on these walks.