Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Victorian Radicals is currently on display in the Gas Hall. The rest of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery is currently closed for essential infrastructure works. More of BMAG will reopen in time for the 2024 summer holidays, including the Round Room, Industrial Gallery, Edwardian Tearooms, and Museum gift shop – with an exciting public programme to be announced.
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Neighborhood: Ladywood
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
4,044 reviews
Excellent
2,397
Very good
1,274
Average
265
Poor
52
Terrible
56
slotnicki
London, UK47 contributions
Mar 2020
I love this museum and pop in every time I visit Birmingham. The permanent exhibition is full of beautiful objects, whilst the temporary exhibitions are always interesting. In addition the sections covering the history of Birmingham are full of detail and use sound and video to bring them to life. It is somewhere that you can visit for a couple of hours or for a shorter time, if you just want to see a particular section. The Edwardian Tea Rooms and the shop are also great. This is clearly a well-loved museum that is supported by all sections of the community. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
Written March 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WooHogg
swadlincote226 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
We visited and were overjoyed to be able to enjoy some culture again. The venue is well prepared with Covid measures in place that make it very safe. It’s well organised and very well thought out for Covid. Do be aware that the museum and gallery are not fully open, some rooms are not suitable to be Covid secured and are closed off to visitors.
The museum has a one way system and starts in the faith gallery entering via Gas Street. The art gallery’s go in reverse order but the lady who sold us our guide book showed us where to start (pg38) and work backwards.
There is a lot not open but they are making every effort during such tough times. Thanks to all the staff.
The museum has a one way system and starts in the faith gallery entering via Gas Street. The art gallery’s go in reverse order but the lady who sold us our guide book showed us where to start (pg38) and work backwards.
There is a lot not open but they are making every effort during such tough times. Thanks to all the staff.
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jenny
8 contributions
Mar 2022
This museum holds so much beauty and is very easy to get lost in, everything in here tells a story and it’s a beautiful museum to visit. You could spend hours in here just learning the history of each item on show, would definitely recommend. Very peaceful too
Written May 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
clickers3
Derby, UK89 contributions
Oct 2022
A temporary re-opening before closure again for bulding/electrical works. But there is nothing to see worth looking at in my opinion except Epstein's 'Lucifer' now surrounded in the rotunda by modern images gathered under the collective title 'We are Birmingham.'
'We are Birmingham' may address issues (woke musuem curators seem to feel this need) but an institution founded upon, and rightly previously devoted to, the display of fine art in the interest of what used to be called 'the education of the public taste' is not the right venue for it. Birmingham is not short of gallery space and it is a tragic insult to the public that the first-rate art it holds is hidden in storage while this material is 'promoted' in its place. There is similar material replacing the previously marvellous displays of stained glass and the history of ceramics in the gallery leading to the tea room. For anyone who appreciates fine art
The future looks bleak. The website states that when they eventually reopen gallery space will be reduced and on display will be objects that tell stories and are requested by public.
How about simply displaying once again the first rate art and objects that the collection holds? What people vote to most want tsee and what art works and objects have the highest aesthetic merit are unlikley to coincide. But museums and galleries such as Birmingham seem now to be embarassed by objects of beauty and value.
Go woke, go broke. After my visit today I am cancelling my intended bequests. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is clearly not a fit recipient for my cash, nor objects of beauty and value,
PS The two great Canalettos of Birmingham's collection, the views of Warwick castle, may currenly be seen on loan at Worcester Museum and Art Gallery.
'We are Birmingham' may address issues (woke musuem curators seem to feel this need) but an institution founded upon, and rightly previously devoted to, the display of fine art in the interest of what used to be called 'the education of the public taste' is not the right venue for it. Birmingham is not short of gallery space and it is a tragic insult to the public that the first-rate art it holds is hidden in storage while this material is 'promoted' in its place. There is similar material replacing the previously marvellous displays of stained glass and the history of ceramics in the gallery leading to the tea room. For anyone who appreciates fine art
The future looks bleak. The website states that when they eventually reopen gallery space will be reduced and on display will be objects that tell stories and are requested by public.
How about simply displaying once again the first rate art and objects that the collection holds? What people vote to most want tsee and what art works and objects have the highest aesthetic merit are unlikley to coincide. But museums and galleries such as Birmingham seem now to be embarassed by objects of beauty and value.
Go woke, go broke. After my visit today I am cancelling my intended bequests. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is clearly not a fit recipient for my cash, nor objects of beauty and value,
PS The two great Canalettos of Birmingham's collection, the views of Warwick castle, may currenly be seen on loan at Worcester Museum and Art Gallery.
Written October 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Clickers3, thanks for taking the time to share a review. With 2022 being such an important year for Birmingham we worked hard to reopen as much of the building as we could while maintenance work continued in other areas of the museum and Council House. The partial reopening was a great opportunity to try something different and let people of Birmingham tell the story of the city in new and creative ways, always with our support and guidance.
This year’s pop-up exhibitions, such as the often overlooked story of Birmingham’s role in the early days of cinema through Wonderland, an important nightlife venue through In The Que and human rights issues through Blacklash, have been well received. The We Are Birmingham exhibition featured artworks old and new, from Samuel Lines’ beautiful illustrations to Cold War Steve’s contemporary take on the city – alongside our wonderful Lucifer.
In terms of BMAG’s future and when the museum reopens fully, many of the most popular objects and artworks from the city’s collections will be on display once again. There may be differences in how they are exhibited as we explore new ways of displaying, hanging and explaining more about the artworks, but favourites such as works from the Pre-Raphaelite collection and Staffordshire Hoard will be back.
Written November 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AliH8691
630 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A haven of calm and beauty in the current works going on around the building.
Have visited before and remembered the beautiful Edwardian tearoom where we had a coffee and sat people watching for a while
Little tight for time but managed to get round the history of Birmingham exhibition which was fascinating and clearly engaged the schoolchildren going around which is important. We also spent a bit of time looking at the art and other exhibits but need a return visit to see them properly. Aside from a voluntary donation it's free to visit and you wont be disappointed.
Have visited before and remembered the beautiful Edwardian tearoom where we had a coffee and sat people watching for a while
Little tight for time but managed to get round the history of Birmingham exhibition which was fascinating and clearly engaged the schoolchildren going around which is important. We also spent a bit of time looking at the art and other exhibits but need a return visit to see them properly. Aside from a voluntary donation it's free to visit and you wont be disappointed.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Morgana X
Toronto, Canada18 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
I loved the whole museum and found it very well laid out. I specially enjoyed the extensive section about Birmingham’s history, which gave a good overview of the city at different points in the time. The cafe is amazing as well! I had the cream tea. Well worth the visit!
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hitchinphil
Hitchin, UK20 contributions
Feb 2020
We spent several hours viewing the art and exhibits in the Museum. The history of Birmingham and the Staffordshire Hoard of Anglo Saxon Treasure were particularly interesting. Lunch in the Edwardian Tearooms was also good with a surprisingly wide choice.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
zanezanezane
Cork, Ireland120 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Take a couple of hours to visit as there is a huge variety of art and Birmingham-related history. The building itself is magnificent and easy to get to. There are so many artifacts to view and I found the Egyptian section particularly interesting.
Written March 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LRD2112
Stafford, UK35 contributions
Oct 2020
Every aspect of this gallery grabs the attention. Even the restaurant is lined with cultural and contextual art references. The art is well positioned clearly defined and permanent exhibitions very well staged. Superb staff
Written October 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Agatha D
Chester, UK230 contributions
Feb 2020
I took the children (10 & 14) at half term during a two day visit to Birmingham. We have visited a lot of free city museums, which my children love, and this one stood out for a few reasons.
Surprisingly, although it was half term, the museum was not too busy and therefore very pleasant to explore.
The building it is housed in has some beautiful rooms that are worth visiting just for that alone. I loved the ever so Victorian/Edwardian display halls, with glass vaulted ceilings and walkway galleries around the top, edged with wrought iron railings.When you first enter the museum, you also enter through a tall domed Octagon, lined in wood panels and covered in magnificently large paintings.
It didn't have the ubiquitous Natural History section we have come to expect (no stuffed animals), but it did have some displays that are unique to Birmingham, and which really gave me a sense of what Birmingham has to be proud of.
It has had so many manufactoring industries in which it has excelled, such as Iron work, steel, and Pewter. Biggest surprise was the beautiful display of buttons from the 18th century.
My husband and older son enjoyed The Staffordshire Hoard - a collection of Anglo Saxon treasures discovered by metal detectorists.
Surprisingly, although it was half term, the museum was not too busy and therefore very pleasant to explore.
The building it is housed in has some beautiful rooms that are worth visiting just for that alone. I loved the ever so Victorian/Edwardian display halls, with glass vaulted ceilings and walkway galleries around the top, edged with wrought iron railings.When you first enter the museum, you also enter through a tall domed Octagon, lined in wood panels and covered in magnificently large paintings.
It didn't have the ubiquitous Natural History section we have come to expect (no stuffed animals), but it did have some displays that are unique to Birmingham, and which really gave me a sense of what Birmingham has to be proud of.
It has had so many manufactoring industries in which it has excelled, such as Iron work, steel, and Pewter. Biggest surprise was the beautiful display of buttons from the 18th century.
My husband and older son enjoyed The Staffordshire Hoard - a collection of Anglo Saxon treasures discovered by metal detectorists.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How long to walk there from New St train station ?
Written March 23, 2022
Hi, can I ask is the museum open at the moment as the website says it is closed but I can see reviews on here for May 21? Thanks Claire
Written June 6, 2021
We will be driving. Is there car parking nearby?? Thx.
Written February 12, 2020
Some multi-storeys around but not very close. It's a short walk from New Street station.
Written February 19, 2020
Hi, just wondered approx. how much time you spent inside the Black Sabbath attraction at the museum. Any help is much appreciated, Thanks!
Written September 9, 2019
We skipped the Black Sabbath exhibit in favor of the free exhibit of the Staffordshire Hoard displaying artifacts from the 8th an 9th Century. We spent at least an hour there and found it well worth the visit.
Written November 8, 2019
Hannah Grummett
Swadlincote, United Kingdom
Is photography allowed? Can I take photos with my phone, or is all photography banned?
Written January 1, 2019
I think it’s ok to take photos, or at least I got away with taking about 35 without being told off! But there’ll be the usual rule about not using flash, although the lighting is pretty good so you shouldn’t need to.
Written January 1, 2019
Where's close and cheapest to park when visiting?
Written July 9, 2018
There are a number of car parks quite close, the nearest is the multi storey on Cambridge Street, less than 5 minutes walk away. It is quite expensive during the day. We use the train as it's cheaper.
Written July 13, 2018
I'm not very disabled but I have difficulty walking and I found the museum very disabled friendly. The lifts are good and there's masses of space for wheelchairs
Written May 30, 2018
Julie Killeen
Birmingham, United Kingdom
HI Amie, I'm sorry that you were disappointed with your visit to Birmingham museums and art gallery, they don't have a gas works area. its a gas hall exhibition area, which used to be the old gas corporation offices.The Gas Hall is used as a temporary exhibtion space. The water Hall is the same. That is used as corporate hire for events.However they have an industrial gallery which has orginal victorian gas lighting. The industial gallery shows artifacts from all over the world & Birmingham. I hope this information helps you.
Written November 16, 2017
what is the actual question
a lot of answers?
Written November 16, 2017
Does this museum have stuffed animals on display (a natural history type exhibit) would a 5 year old be inspired at this museum for a couple of hours) ?
Written October 29, 2017
No display of natural history sort of display. May not be appealing to the younger mind but I notice there is a colourful corner leading to the cafeteria.
Written November 25, 2017
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