Birmingham Heritage Week tickets go live today (Saturday August 15), with hundreds of free days out available to the public. The event, which runs from Friday September 11 to Sunday September 20, gives people the chance to visit paid-for attractions for free and to access 'hidden' places normally closed to visitors.
Among the venues included are Selly Manor, the National Trust-run Back-to-Backs, and New Hall Watermill in Sutton Coldfield. There are also opportunities to visit Moseley Park and Icehouse, which is normally only open to keyholders, and the Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary Roman Catholic Church on Witton Road in Aston, which features a 'rainbow dome' that many may have passed without noticing.
Explore Hidden Gems and Iconic Buildings
Other highlights include tours of the Birmingham Council House in Victoria Square and hard hat tours of the Moseley Road Baths. Visitors can also explore the New Street station and Mailbox mail tunnels, and go inside the Dhamma Talaka Peace Pagoda. Train enthusiasts can take Tyseley depot tours with Vintage Trains.
Winterbourne House and Gardens is hosting the Birmingham Honey Show, and there are events at Birmingham Botanical Gardens as well. Building tours are available at the Birmingham School of Art and School of Jewellery, and families can take children to Aston Fire Station. St Mary's Convent in Handsworth and the Museum Collection Store will also open their doors.
Talks, Walks, and Booking Details
The week also features talks and walks. Many events are free or heavily discounted, but most need to be booked in advance to avoid disappointment. Full details are available on the Birmingham Heritage Week website.
Irene De Boo, Birmingham Heritage Week Co-ordinator, said: "Birmingham Heritage Week continues to grow in popularity, attracting thousands of people each year who want to explore the city's fascinating stories, buildings and communities. The week-long browsing period before tickets go on sale will give people more time to discover the programme, plan their visits and make the most of everything the festival has to offer."
The event is supported by Birmingham Museums Trust, the National Trust, the University of Birmingham, and Birmingham Municipal Charity.
