Birmingham might be the youngest city in Europe, but our history runs deep. Under every rock, behind every door, there are amazing stories to be found about our past. Birmingham Heritage Week, now in its ninth year, is one of the greatest opportunities to learn more about our hometown. With local places and spaces opening their doors with a wide range of events.
Taking place September 8 to 17, the 10-day festival is designed to inspire and surprise you with the city’s rich history and heritage. Today (August 1) the full range of events has been released, shining the spotlight on the city’s history with talks, tours, workshops, walks and more.
Birmingham Heritage Week is the perfect time to explore some of the city’s buildings and outdoor spaces you would not normally visit. There will be hundreds of different events, walks and tours to choose from, including at: cemeteries, canal tours, historic buildings, factories, museums, religious buildings including mosques, churches and cathedrals and outdoor heritage tours in local parks, neighbourhoods and conservation areas.
What is happening at Birmingham Heritage Week?
Basically, there is so much to get up to do during Birmingham Heritage Week, you won’t be stuck for things to do this September. But we suggest you pop over to Bournville on September 9. Where you’ll find more than just tours of Cadbury World. You can visit one of the oldest buildings in Birmingham, Selly Manor Museum; the unusually elaborate Bournville Quaker Meeting House; or the first purpose-built Serbian Orthodox church in the UK (known locally as Lazarica).
Meanwhile, over in the Jewellery Quarter, The Pen Museum is running numerous creative writing workshops (September 8). You can also visit the beautiful Victorian cemetery Warstone Lane Cemetery, while in the area (September 9). Or get a unique glimpse into the lost industrial world of J. W. Evans Silver Factory (September 10 & 16). Or if you’re out in Sutton Coldfield during September, you could learn about the history of the local Crystal Palace (September 11), join a talk on pre-historic and Roman periods in the Sutton area (September 15), or tour the New Hall Hotel (September 8).
Irene De Boo, Birmingham Heritage Week Co-ordinator, said: “Heritage Week is about discovering the city’s cultural and industrial heritage, learning new skills in a workshop or getting active with a walking tour. This year’s Heritage Week visitors will be spoilt for choice with locations in the city centre and across the suburbs.”
Other highlights include urban walks around local neighbourhoods like Austin Village, Digbeth and Moor Pool – where a free family fun festival is also planned at Moor Pool Estate (September 10). While there will be plenty of guided tours of landmark buildings, like the Rotunda, The Exchange, Blakesley Hall, Weoley Castle Ruins, made available. Plus so much more!
Birmingham Heritage Week 2023 is sponsored by Birmingham City Council and organised by Birmingham Museums Trust. To see the full list of events head here.