Heritage Week at Birmingham Museums

We are so excited to be celebrating Birmingham Heritage Week for the eighth year this September!

As Birmingham’s heritage sites and historic buildings open their doors and welcome people to a whole host of events, we look forward to the city coming together in celebration of all the things that have helped make Birmingham as special as it is today.

We have a jam-packed schedule at Birmingham Museums! There’ll be the opportunity to see some blasts from the past at the Museum Collection Centre Open Day, or celebrate your roots with Community Archiving. Whether it’s underground at the Weoley Walk or before your very eyes at the Thomas Holte Tour, we’re sure there’ll be something for everyone wanting to experience the story of our city.

Behind the scenes at Birmingham Museum Collections Centre

Come behind the scenes on Saturday 17 September for a sneak peek at the Museum Collection Centre’s most prized jewels. The Museum Collection Centre is a vast chest of gems, stretching 1.5 hectares and containing hundreds of thousands of fascinating objects. As it very rarely opens to the public, this is a special opportunity to view 80% of our stored collections all under one roof.

On the ground floor, you will be able to view some of our incredible artefacts at your own leisure. With a strong focus on Birmingham and the West Midlands, among these gems on display include steam engines, sculptures, a sleigh, model ships, a zebu skeleton and a gramophone. Will you be able to spot the blueprint machine? What about the model Cadbury factory, or Birmingham Coat of Arms?

Curator tours will then lead small groups upstairs to special air-controlled collections, where our most fragile treasures are stored – ranging from Ancient Egyptian artefacts to taxidermy animals from our Natural History Collection.

If you want to get even closer to history, there will also be the opportunity to come aboard our vintage bus, taking you from Snow Hill to the Collection Centre in style. Other events on the day not to be missed are the chance to meet the experts, visit our pop-up shop and get involved in object handling.

This event is free but pre-booking is essential as we anticipate that this event will be very popular.

Meet Sir Thomas Holte Tour at Aston Hall

Enjoy history brought to life with our Sir Thomas Holte Tour on Friday 16 September.

Was he a brave hero or a murderous villain? Are those whispers that he chopped his cook’s head in two, really true? Come and ask him – if you’re feeling brave enough! Be transported back to the 17th century as he takes you on a fascinating guided tour around the very hall that he built, with the chance to explore it at your own pace after the tour’s end.

Pre-booking is essential, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Old Yardley Walk at Blakesley Hall

Take a walk through history with our Old Yardley Walk on Saturday 10 September.

Guided by experts from the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society, this two-and-a-half-mile stroll will reveal some of Yardley’s best kept secrets including two medieval moats that once surrounded manor houses, historic buildings and ridges remaining from medieval ploughing.

The walk will last approximately one and a half hours and pre-booking is essential.

Explore Sarehole Mill

Behold the beauty of Sarehole Mill on Saturday 17 September.

Explore the traditional 18th century water mill, learn about the life of a miller and get stuck-in with hands-on demonstrations, all at your own pace. Discover the serene millpond and all-new woodland realm before enjoying a pizza in our cobblestoned courtyard.

This event is free and pre-booking is recommended.

Weoley Castle Walking Tour

Discover the history beneath your feet at Weoley Castle on Saturday 17 September.

Guided by archaeologist Dr Mike Hodder, this walk will uncover the subterranean secrets of Weoley Castle during Birmingham Heritage Week with the chance to learn about the site’s archaeology and view fascinating artefacts. There will be two guided tours, one at 11:30am and the other at 2pm.

Pre-booking essential, spaces are limited so don’t miss out.