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National Trust - Birmingham Back to Backs

Museum | Birmingham | England | United Kingdom

Historical museum in Birmingham

The Birmingham Back to Backs Museum is a historical museum in the heart of Birmingham, which focuses on the life of the working class in 19th and 20th century Britain. It is an authentic collection of back-to-back houses, originally built as worker housing. These terrace houses provide a unique insight into the living conditions and everyday life of working families during the Industrial Revolution.

Back-to-Back houses in Birmingham

The museum showcases the development of Birmingham and the changes the city experienced through industrial progress. Visitors can explore the reconstructed interiors of the apartments and see firsthand how people lived during that time. From the cramped spaces to the simple and functional furniture, it is evident how tough life was for the workers during this period.

Working class life in the 19th century

In addition to the buildings, the museum houses a variety of exhibits focusing on the history of industrialization and social changes. These include photos, documents, and artifacts that illustrate the lives of people and their working conditions.

Industrial revolution in Britain

The museum also offers guided tours, allowing visitors to experience the historical ambiance of the back-to-back houses and learn more about Birmingham's industrial past. The tours not only provide insights into the history of the houses, but also into the lives of the families who lived there.

Contact details

Web

Phone

Address
50-54, 55-63 Inge St, Hurst St
B5 4TE Birmingham

Map view

Opening hours

Sunday10:00 - 15:00
Monday--
Tuesday13:00 - 15:00
Wednesday13:00 - 15:00
Thursday10:00 - 15:00
Friday10:00 - 15:00
Saturday10:00 - 15:00

Reviews

1444 Reviews

Mick Seale
06.02.2025

A pleasure to visit, Guide was very informative and friendly. well worth a visit
Patricia Ann Innes
05.02.2025

Had a lovely time today at Birmingham Back to Backs with my 3 friends. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour. It was really interesting and amusing. Thank you to John for being our brilliant guide.
Chiara D'Ascenzo
04.02.2025

One of the best museum experiences we’ve ever had! When my partner heard the guided tour would last an hour and a half, he protested, convinced it wouldn’t interest him (since this visit was my idea!😂). He couldn’t have been more wrong. The guide was outstanding, bringing the past to life as the lives of the people who lived in the house. What made the tour truly special was the way it highlighted the impact of social reform and the welfare state, shaping the UK and Europe over the past 150 years, remarking the class issue, which I loved. The depth of research behind the exhibition is remarkable, and you can feel it. this a must-visit if you're in town. Be sure to book a few days in advance—it gets busy!
Andrew
03.02.2025

Fascinating and our guide was excellent
jaa smith
02.02.2025

Fantastic visit, the national trust volunteers are very knowledgable and made our visit amazing.
Trisha Lynn
21.01.2025

What a fascinating place to visit. Richard, our guide, made the buildings come alive. It was so interesting to see how people in 3 different time periods lived. A lovely look into life in the past. We are from 🇨🇦 with English roots so we could imagine our family living in this style. Thank you National Trust for preserving these.
John Brown
20.01.2025

Went to the Back2Backs on Sunday and had a very informative and enjoyable visit. Didn't really know what to expect as it isn't a typical NT property but this was probably my favourite NT property visit to date. The name of our tour-guide escapes me but he was a he was very knowledge, engaging and friendly chap. - kudos to him.
Natalie Cadman
19.01.2025

We went to the back to back houses today and I think it was Jean was our tour guide and she was so knowledgeable and informative and we had such a good time
Maxine Jones
14.01.2025

Our guide, Joan, was brilliant. The tour was very informative and interesting. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
claire burston
07.01.2025

It's was a lovely experience and the tour guide Pauline was very knowledgeable and our 2/12 year grandson like it to and enjoyed telling his mom n dad , about his afternoon. And was very accommodating with my limited mobility xx
Simon Steggles
18.12.2024

I’ve been twice and I’m looking forward to the fact we’re having visitors - so we can take them. It’s an incredible piece of Brummie history. If you can, visit.
Lizi Dudley
13.12.2024

My friend and I visited the back to back’s today. We both lived in back to backs (called slums) years ago.although our tiny home was spotless. Our guide Joan was absolutely amazing, very knowledgeable and we both enjoyed our tour very much Thank you for a great day.
Mairena Montejano
10.12.2024

El guia (George, creo recordar) fue fantástico. Incluso sin entender muy bien el idioma hizo de la visita una experiencia genial. Lo recomiendo
Luke Walsh
08.12.2024

Really good tour with John, cheers!
Libby Edwards
29.11.2024

Excellent tour from Les. Really interesting and a very enjoyable day.
xxx x
25.11.2024

Followed their instructions re arcadia parking despite Sunday, and could probably have found free street parking! Only pre booked tickets. ( Nb - if it's raining, lots of cancellations come in from NT members- so you might be able to get last minute tickets!) Guided tours only. Lots of narrow windy stairs up and down as you were through 4 properties. But there are chairs in every room to sit on which is fab. Bucket list NT property ticked off. There are toilets and small waiting area for tours(or the 2nd hand book shop) but no cafe. Currently great exhibition upstairs re history of social housing that was fab.
CỬA LÒ KHÁCH SẠN DAEWOO
20.11.2024

Bé xíu, k người qua lại K nên pr quá, mất thời gian
Jill Robinson
17.11.2024

We went as a group of 7 and had a brilliant tour. Anne, our guide, gave us a fabulous insight into life in these houses. We learnt of families who lived there in different time periods. A wonderful experience we would thoroughly recommend.
Daniel Cahoon
15.11.2024

Great museum, would recommend going earlier in the day during winter as the light falls and you can appreciate it the same way as parts are unlit.
Kate Harley
09.11.2024

John, our guide, made the history of these buildings real to our group by having us become 'people of the time', residents of those homes. Amazing experience and one we would recommend to anyone visiting Birmingham.
Timothy Woods
08.11.2024

A great place to go & explore in Birmingham. Right next to the Chinese Quarter.
Drago The Terrible
05.11.2024

Great tour. Knowledgeable staff. Engaging and humorous, good with the kids. Great that these houses were saved and can now provide an important snapshot into Birmingham's history before it became the disaster it is now.
Sue Keating-rogers
25.10.2024

Thanks to our guide Annette for making this such an interesting visit .The back to backs take us back in time and thru several different eras teaching us about the life and hardships of generations before us. Annette made it so interesting with personal stories and the history of the people who had lived there . A real national trust gem.

 

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