Birmingham Heritage Week 2026 is offering two free events so popular that tickets are only available via a ballot. The first is an underground walk through the New Street Station and Mailbox tunnels, and the second is a tour of the historic Victoria Law Courts on Corporation Street.
Underground Tour of New Street and Mailbox Tunnels
Organised by Network Rail and Mailbox, the tunnel tour takes place on Wednesday, September 16, from 12pm to 5pm. It starts and ends at New Street Station, with three separate tours at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. The event is free, but pre-booking is essential, and participants are asked to arrive 10 minutes before their tour begins.
The tour involves walking through operational areas, so attendees are warned they will need a 'reasonable fitness' level. The route includes ascends and descends, bumpy and slippery ground, and a steep ramp. Safety is a priority, and a spokesman said: "Safety on the railways is of absolute importance. The tour allows access to operational areas and, as such, you must follow the exact instruction of the tour guide."
Participants will be issued with safety clothing and must wear it at all times. No video footage is allowed at any point on the tour, but photos may be taken where indicated by the tour guide. The minimum age is 12, and anyone aged 12-16 must be accompanied by an adult, with a maximum of one 12-16 year old per adult.
Ballot Details and How to Enter
Tickets for the tunnel tour are by ballot only, with the ballot closing at midday on Wednesday, August 26. Those interested can find more details and learn how the ballot works through the official Birmingham Heritage Week channels.
The second balloted event is a free tour of the Victoria Law Courts on Corporation Street, taking place on Thursday, September 17, from 3pm to 4.30pm. The building dates back to 1887, and the tour will focus on the inside, including the Great Hall and public corridors. However, access to the one remaining heritage court room cannot be guaranteed, as courts will be sitting; if sessions have finished, the tour will include a court room.
A spokesman said: "The tour will focus on the inside of the building. You will visit the Great Hall and public corridors. The courts will be sitting and access to the one remaining heritage court room cannot be guaranteed, but if court sessions have finished for the day, the tour will include a court room."
Security Checks and Rules
Attendees should expect a strict security check when entering the building, which includes walking through an archway detector and being checked by hand with a handheld scanner. The spokesman added: "This security check is likely to take some time. There are strict rules on what you can and cannot take inside the court building. Phones and cameras are allowed to be taken in, but photos or videos are strictly forbidden."
The Victoria Law Courts were built in 1887-91 and designed by Aston Webb and Ingress Bell. They are described as a late Victorian public building of national importance, with red brick and terracotta outside and sandy-yellow terracotta inside. The building was part of a programme to make Birmingham consciously into a great city, and city status was obtained in 1889 while the courts were being built.
The Great Hall inside has large windows at each end, with local worthies from Shakespeare to Matthew Boulton at one end and Birmingham trades at the other. This tour is also by ballot only, closing on Wednesday, August 26 at 12pm. Birmingham Heritage Week 2026 features hundreds of hidden places opening, popular attractions free, National Trust tickets, and a secret 'oasis' opening to the public.
