Places that tell Birmingham's story
Explore Birmingham’s heritage through its iconic institutions.
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
Located at Millennium Point, Thinktank is home to the world’s oldest working steam engine and offers ten galleries of science, technology, and innovation. From aircraft and steam engines to emotional robots, it is a hands-on celebration of Birmingham’s industrial ingenuity.
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG)
Housed in a Grade II* listed building, BMAG holds the world’s largest Pre-Raphaelite collection and showcases art, archaeology, and local history. It’s a cornerstone of Birmingham’s cultural identity.
Library of Birmingham
A modern architectural landmark, the Library of Birmingham houses rare books, fine printing, and treasures like Audubon’s Birds of America. It is a hub for learning and literary heritage.
City archives
With over 6,000 collections, including UNESCO-listed documents, the archives chronicle Birmingham’s evolution from a medieval town to a global city.
Birmingham Back to Backs (National Trust)
A restored 19th-century courtyard of working-class homes, the Birmingham Back to Backs site offers immersive tours that reveal the lives of residents from 1840 to 1977.
Aston Hall
A magnificent Jacobean mansion built between 1618 and 1635, Aston Hall is a Grade I listed building that reflects Birmingham’s early grandeur and civic pride.
Sarehole Mill
A 250-year-old watermill famously associated with J.R.R. Tolkien, Sarehole Mill inspired scenes in The Lord of the Rings and showcases Birmingham’s rural and literary heritage.
Blakesley Hall
Built in 1590, Blakesley Hall is one of Birmingham’s oldest buildings. This Tudor hall offers a glimpse into Elizabethan life and architecture.
Soho House
Once the home of industrialist Matthew Boulton, Soho House was a meeting place for the Lunar Society — a group of thinkers who helped shape the modern world.
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
Located in a preserved jewellery workshop, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter celebrates Birmingham’s craftsmanship and its legacy as a global centre for jewellery making.
Ikon Gallery
A contemporary art gallery housed in a Grade II listed neo-Gothic school building, Ikon showcases international artists and diverse media.
The Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Situated on the University of Birmingham campus, the Barber Institute is a Grade I listed Art Deco building housing a world-class collection of European art and a concert hall.
The Coffin Works
Step into a preserved Victorian factory in the Jewellery Quarter where the Newman Brothers produced ornate coffin fittings for royalty and public figures. The Coffin Works offers guided tours through original workshops, machinery, and the Shroud Room, revealing the artistry behind funeral traditions.
Lapworth Museum of Geology
The Lapworth Museum of Geology at the University of Birmingham showcases over 250,000 specimens of fossils, rocks, and minerals. Interactive exhibits explore Earth’s 4.6-billion-year history, including dinosaurs, volcanoes, and the evolution of life. A hidden gem for science and nature lovers.
Page last updated: 11 March 2026
