Museums and galleries in Birmingham

Museums and galleries in Birmingham

1. See

   Barber Institute of Fine Arts

   Small gallery with an excellent eclectic permanent collection, including many pre-Raphaelites. Good Britain Guide gallery of the year 2004. As of April 2026, the Barber galleries are closed for a major building improvement project.

   Mon-Sat 10AM-5PM, Sun noon-5PM·Free (donations welcome)

2. See

   Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

   Large museum with some local history, several temporary exhibitions and large permanent collection, including an extensive collection of Pre-Raphaelite paintings. Home to part of the stunning Anglo-Saxon hoard, the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold metal work discovered just north of Birmingham in 2009. Includes the Gas Hall and Waterhall Gallery of Modern Art. As of August 2025, only some galleries are open, due to refurbishment.

   Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·Free (donations welcome)

3. See

   Blakesley Hall

   One of the oldest buildings in Birmingham and a typical example of "black & white" Tudor architecture, constructed in 1590 by Richard Smalbroke as a timber-framed farmhouse. Many historic artefacts are on display in the museum, including authentic candlesticks and pewter goblets. The Gilbertstone, moved in local folklore by the Giant named Gilbert, is displayed in the grounds of the museum.

   Wed-Sun 11AM-4PM·Adults £8, students and elderly £6, children younger than 15 £5

4. See

   IKON Gallery

   Small gallery with two or three temporary modern and conceptual art installations. Excellent cafe (see below).

   Tue-Sun 11AM-5PM·Free (donations welcome)

5. See

   Lapworth Museum of Geology

   Rocks and fossils, aimed at a broad range of audiences. One of five UK museums shortlisted for the Art Fund Museum of the Year Award in 2017, following major redevelopment of its displays.

   free

6. See

   Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

   Jewellery workshop abandoned in working condition, later reopened as a museum. Visits are by tour, lasting approximately one hour. Worth seeing, especially in the context of the wider, still working commercial Jewellery Quarter.

   Tu-Sa 10:30AM-4PM (last admission one hour before), closed Sunday and Monday except Bank Holiday Mondays·Adults: £7

7. Do

   National Exhibition Centre

   NEC

   A huge exhibition centre, staging more than 180 exhibitions each year in 21 halls totalling 200,000 m². Also has a 12,000-seat arena hosting national and international sporting and entertainment events.

   Free-£40 (price varies with event).

8. See

   Royal Birmingham Society of Artists

   RBSA

   Independent art gallery; frequent temporary exhibitions and works for sale.

   Free entrance

9. See

   The Coffin Works

   Newman Brothers Coffin Furniture Factory

   An industrial heritage museum in the Jewellery Quarter, dedicated to educating visitors about the social and industrial history and importance of the site which was in operation as a coffin furniture factory from 1894 to its closure in 1998. Ornaments made by the Newman Brothers decorated the coffins of Sir Winston Churchill, Joseph Chamberlain, and many others. Many of the historic rooms, among which the "stamp" room, can be viewed and visited. Guided tours are highly recommended and start at 1PM, 2PM and 3PM.

   Wed-Sun 10:45AM-3PM, last tour starts at 3PM·£6.60 for adults, £4.40 for children, free under age of 5

10. Do

    The Giant Screen

    Part of the Thinktank science museum. 2D and 3D films shown on an enormous (five story) screen. Some mainstream films, mainly documentaries.

    Daily 10AM-5PM·£9.60 (concessions £7.60, children under 16 £7.60, family and joint Thinktank tickets available)

11. See

    Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

    Science museum with lots of hands-on activities, vehicles and industrial machines, however the activities all smell of their popularity. IMAX cinema (see Cinema section) in the same building.

    Daily during school holidays 10AM-5PM (last admission 4PM)

12. Buy

    Woodbridge Gallery

    is a small gallery in a someone's back-yard! It's only open for specific exhibitions which last a few days at a time. These usually display work by local artists. There is no admission charge.

13. Eat

    Yorks Cafe

    Modern cafe attached to the art gallery with efficient and friendly staff. Another branch is at Stephenson Street, B2 4BH.

    Mon noon-11PM, Tue-Sat 11AM-11PM, Sun 11AM-6PM·£6-20 (Aug 2020)

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Birmingham (CC BY-SA 4.0).