Museum in Birmingham

A visit to a museum in Birmingham is the best way to step into the past and understand the city’s culture. From art and history to science and innovation, museums here offer something for every interest. MakeMyTrip lists 90 must-visit museums in Birmingham for 2025, making it easy to plan your trip. Exhibits are well curated, with guided tours and interactive displays that keep both adults and children engaged. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient artefacts or modern installations, each museum tells a story worth exploring. With Birmingham museum prices starting from INR 278, spending a few hours inside is affordable yet highly rewarding. This October, discover a new side of Birmingham with MakeMyTrip’s handpicked museums.

Best Museums in Birmingham: A Journey through Art, History, and Innovation

Known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene, Birmingham is home to some of the finest museums in the UK. From world-renowned art galleries to quirky, one-of-a-kind collections, there’s something for everyone.

Here you can stand before exquisite Pre-Raphaelite paintings, walk through a coal mine, or watch children experiment with science in an outdoor garden. What makes Birmingham’s museum scene stand out is the balance between world-class collections paired with smaller and characterful spaces that focus on very specific slices of history.

For visitors, this variety means there is always a museum in Birmingham that suits your pace. Spend a whole day at the open-air Black Country Living Museum, or duck into the Pen Museum for a quick but memorable visit.

Exploring Diverse Museums of Birmingham

Art Museums

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Ask any local about Birmingham’s museums, and this is usually the first name they mention. Housed in a grand Victorian building in Chamberlain Square, BMAG is known worldwide for its Pre-Raphaelite collection, the largest of its kind. Alongside Burne-Jones and Rossetti, you’ll also find European masters, Asian art, and decorative treasures. Many visitors also enjoy how easy this museum feels to approach. The galleries here are spacious but not overwhelming, and you can take your time without feeling rushed. Locals often come back again and again to rediscover different sections.

• Address: Located in Chamberlain Square, right in the city centre. Both New Street and Snow Hill stations are less than 10 minutes away on foot, and plenty of buses stop nearby. A short taxi or rideshare ride is another easy option.
• Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Ikon Gallery

Birmingham’s modern side is best seen at the Ikon Gallery. The building itself, a converted Victorian schoolhouse, is striking before you even step inside. Exhibitions change regularly, covering everything from painting and photography to immersive installations. Because the gallery doesn’t have a permanent collection, each visit feels new. Entry to this museum is free, which encourages many people to drop in while exploring Brindleyplace. Afterwards, you can wander along the canals or relax in one of the nearby cafés.

• Address: Situated in Brindleyplace, a short stroll from Birmingham New Street Station. It’s also well-served by buses. Parking is available close by, but most visitors prefer to walk or grab a rideshare.
• Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.

History Museums

Black Country Living Museum

Few museums feel as alive as the Black Country Living Museum. Spread across 26 acres in Dudley, it recreates daily life during the Industrial Revolution. Costumed guides walk the streets, trams and buses clatter by, and shops sell goods made using traditional methods.

Children also love the mine experience here, while adults often mention the fish and chips cooked in an authentic 19th-century style. This museum of Birmingham is the kind of place where you start thinking you’ll stay for a few hours but end up spending most of the day.

• Address: Located in Dudley, about half an hour from Birmingham by car. Local buses run directly to the site, and there is parking on-site. Rideshares are also available for those without cars.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Pen Museum

The Pen Museum is located in a former pen factory that's dedicated entirely to the evolution of pens throughout the 19th century and is a must-see attraction for writers. It's situated in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter and offers more than 5,000 artefacts and objects. Visitors are encouraged to try calligraphy or embossing, which makes the experience hands-on rather than static. It’s not a large museum, but it has plenty of character and usually leaves a stronger impression than people expect.

• Address: Located on Frederick Street in the Jewellery Quarter. Jewellery Quarter Station is around 10 minutes on foot, and several buses stop close by. Paid parking is available for those driving.
• Hours of Operation: Open Wednesday to Saturday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed Sunday to Tuesday.

Science & Technology Museums

Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum

Thinktank is where history, science, and imagination come together. Exhibits range from medical history to engineering marvels, but two highlights stand out: the Spitfire Gallery, which honours Birmingham’s role in aviation, and the planetarium, which is especially popular with families.

The Science Garden outside is another major draw. Kids can experiment with pulleys, wheels, and water features, turning science into play. Parents often describe Thinktank as one of the most family-friendly stops in Birmingham.

• Address: Located at Millennium Point near Curzon Street. Birmingham Moor Street Station is a short walk away, and frequent buses connect the area. Parking is available on-site, while rideshares are a common option.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Coffin Works Museum

Not your typical museum, Coffin Works tells the story of Newman Brothers, a company that produced coffin fittings for more than a century. Many of their products were used in royal and state funerals, giving the factory a surprising link to world history.

The original machinery remains in place, and guided tours bring the building back to life. While unusual, the museum has become a visitor favourite precisely because it offers something different from the usual themes.

• Address: Located on Fleet Street in the Jewellery Quarter. Snow Hill Station is a short walk away, and buses run close by. Street parking and public car parks are available in the area.
• Hours of Operation: Wednesday to Sunday, 10:45 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Cultural & Speciality Museums

Museum of the Jewellery Quarter

This museum feels like stepping straight into the 1980s. When the factory closed, workers simply left their tools behind, and everything has been preserved since. Guided tours explain how jewellery was made and share stories of the craftspeople who worked here. It is intimate compared to larger museums, but visitors often say it is one of the most authentic experiences in Birmingham.

• Address: Located on Vyse Street in the Jewellery Quarter, right next to Jewellery Quarter Station. Several buses stop nearby, and parking is available within walking distance.
• Hours of Operation: Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday.

Soho House Museum

Formerly the home of industrialist Matthew Boulton, the Soho House Museum tells the story of Birmingham’s role in the Industrial Revolution. It’s a free museum that also hosts various cultural events throughout the year. The house is beautifully preserved, with tours available to explore both the personal and professional life of Boulton. Unlike some of the busier museums, Soho House has a calm and reflective atmosphere, making it a rewarding stop for history enthusiasts.

• Address: Located in Handsworth, roughly 15 minutes by car from Birmingham city centre. Buses connect regularly, and taxis or rideshares are an easy option. Limited parking is available near the site.
• Hours of Operation: Generally open Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Seasonal changes may apply.

Children’s Museums

Thinktank Science Garden

Though technically part of Thinktank, the Science Garden deserves its own spotlight. Outdoor and interactive, it lets children learn about forces, movement, and energy in a playful way. Families often stay here longer than expected, especially on sunny afternoons.

• Address: Located at Millennium Point, a short walk from Moor Street Station. Parking is available on-site, and buses and rideshares are widely used.
• Hours of Operation: Open daily during Thinktank hours, with free evening access after the main museum closes.

Sarehole Mill

Sarehole Mill is a working water mill with a strong literary link, as J.R.R. Tolkien lived nearby as a child, and the mill is said to have inspired his vision of the Shire. Today, visitors can watch flour being milled, enjoy the gardens, and take part in children’s activities. The setting feels tucked away from the busy city, giving families space to explore at a slower pace.

• Address: Located in Hall Green, about 20 minutes from the city centre by car. Buses run regularly, and rideshares are another convenient option. On-site parking is also available.
• Hours of Operation: Open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.