Birmingham Museums and Jewellery Quarter

This urban tour combines Birmingham's principal art museum and working jewellery production district. The journey uses rail (included) for 15 minutes to Birmingham New Street, then explores the Jewellery Quarter's Victorian workshops where artisans still hand-make rings and bangles. You'll see active studios, watch craftspeople at work, and visit the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (entry £7-10 adult). Pace is walking-heavy with frequent stops. Best for Art lovers and urban explorers. This is a moderate activity lasting 6 hours. Group size: 6-18. You meet at Coventry Railway Station. Key highlights: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery with Pre-Raphaelite paintings and Egyptian antiquities, Live jewellery production in Victorian workshops (hand-soldering and stone-setting), Guided access to active artist studios in Hockley neighbourhood.

Price: £42

Duration: 6 hours

Difficulty: moderate

Group size: 6-18

Minimum age: 8+

Best for: Art lovers and urban explorers

Best time: Tuesday to Friday for the best workshop activity (fewer crowds, more artisans working). Museum is quieter mid-week. Avoid Saturdays (busiest foot traffic). May to September for pleasant walking weather.

Meeting point: Coventry Railway Station

Languages: English

Here is how the experience unfolds:

9:30am Meet at Coventry Railway Station and board train to Birmingham - Return train tickets included in price. Train takes 15-20 minutes; depart 9:50am from platform 2.

10:10am Arrive Birmingham New Street; walking tour begins - Walk uphill toward Museum and Art Gallery (0.5 miles). Guide provides context on Victorian Birmingham and industrial heritage.

10:35am Visit Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery - 3-hour access to collections including Pre-Raphaelite paintings, Egyptian mummies, and design exhibits. Entry fee separate (£7-10 adult; family discounts available). Self-guided or audio guide rental (£3).

1:00pm Lunch break (free time) - Cafeteria in museum basement or exit to local restaurants on Chamberlain Square. Budget £8-15.

1:45pm Walk to Jewellery Quarter (1.5 miles) - Guided walk through Hockley neighbourhood showing Victorian terraces and canal-side buildings. Stop at Museum of the Jewellery Quarter (entry £5 adult or free if inside only).

2:45pm Guided tour of working jewellery workshops - Visit 2-3 active studios where artisans work on engagement rings, bangles, and custom pieces. Watch hand-soldering, stone-setting, and polishing. Photos usually permitted.

3:45pm Free time to browse jewellery quarter shops and cafes - 30 minutes to buy jewellery directly from makers, browse antique dealers, or sit in local cafes.

4:15pm Walk back to Birmingham New Street station - 1.5-mile walk (20-25 minutes). Return train departs 4:50pm, arriving Coventry 5:10pm.

The whole experience takes 6 hours. Difficulty: moderate. You meet at Coventry Railway Station.

• Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery with Pre-Raphaelite paintings and Egyptian antiquities
• Live jewellery production in Victorian workshops (hand-soldering and stone-setting)
• Guided access to active artist studios in Hockley neighbourhood
• Museum of the Jewellery Quarter documenting 200+ years of craft history
• Train journey included with skip-the-car convenience
• Accessibility: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has step-free access, lifts, and accessible toilets. Jewellery Quarter workshops are in Victorian buildings; many have narrow doorways, stairs, and uneven floors. Ask operator which workshops are accessible. Streets are varied: some smooth pavements, some cobblestones. Train has step-free access to platforms.

What is included: Return train tickets from Coventry to Birmingham New Street, Guided walking tours in both locations, Access to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery building, Guided tour of Jewellery Quarter and workshop visits, Professional guide with historical and craft expertise.

Not included: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery entry fee (£7-10 adult), Museum of the Jewellery Quarter entry (£5 or free if touring only), Lunch and refreshments, Audio guide rental in museum (£3), Jewellery purchases. You will need to arrange these yourself.

What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes (3-4 miles of urban walking), Weather-appropriate clothing including waterproof jacket, Spending money for lunch, jewellery, and museum entry (£25-40 total), Camera (permitted in workshops and museum; some photography policies vary), Water bottle, Sun cream and hat (some sections have little shade), Public transport pass or contactless payment for any extra journeys. Having these with you makes the experience smoother.

Best time to go: Tuesday to Friday for the best workshop activity (fewer crowds, more artisans working). Museum is quieter mid-week. Avoid Saturdays (busiest foot traffic). May to September for pleasant walking weather..

Tip: Train tickets included

Tip: Museum entry fees separate

Accessibility: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has step-free access, lifts, and accessible toilets. Jewellery Quarter workshops are in Victorian buildings; many have narrow doorways, stairs, and uneven floors. Ask operator which workshops are accessible. Streets are varied: some smooth pavements, some cobblestones. Train has step-free access to platforms..

Operator: City Break Tours

After this activity, these are within easy reach:

• Coventry Cathedral (10 min from Coventry station (before departure) walk)

This activity is run by City Break Tours.

Cancellation policy: Free cancellation 10 days before; 50% refund 10-5 days before; 25% refund 5-2 days before; non-refundable within 48 hours.

Accessibility: Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has step-free access, lifts, and accessible toilets. Jewellery Quarter workshops are in Victorian buildings; many have narrow doorways, stairs, and uneven floors. Ask operator which workshops are accessible. Streets are varied: some smooth pavements, some cobblestones. Train has step-free access to platforms..

Best time to go: Tuesday to Friday for the best workshop activity (fewer crowds, more artisans working). Museum is quieter mid-week. Avoid Saturdays (busiest foot traffic). May to September for pleasant walking weather..

Do I have to pay separate entry to the Birmingham Museum?

Yes. The tour includes train travel and guided access, but museum entry is £7-10 per adult, paid separately on the day or in advance. Children under 16 are free. Family tickets (2 adults + 4 children) cost £20. You can visit the building exterior and cafeteria without paying.

Are the jewellery workshops actual working studios?

Yes,. You visit active commercial studios where artisans hand-make engagement rings, bangles, and bespoke pieces. You'll see live soldering, stone-setting, and polishing. Most studios welcome photographs. Items are for sale directly from the makers at wholesale prices (10-30% cheaper than high street).

How much walking is involved in this tour?

Approximately 3-4 miles of urban walking across Birmingham and Hockley. Pace is moderate with frequent stops. Routes include pavements, cobblestones, and some steep sections between New Street and Museum. Surfaces are mostly smooth in the museum area and Jewellery Quarter, but some Victorian terraces are uneven.