The start of a city-wide celebration of over 200 events showcasing Birmingham’s fascinating history, people and places is drawing closer, with one week to go until Birmingham Heritage Week 2019.
Visitors are encouraged to make their plans for the 11-day festival, which is in its fifth year, by checking birminghamheritageweek.co.uk for a full timetable. Many events are free, and some have limited capacity and are booking up fast!
Curious culture fans can discover hidden places or experience their favourite heritage spots from a new perspective, as over 70 of the city’s most interesting locations throw open their doors for special events, including tours, workshops, open days and exhibitions.
Birmingham Heritage Week 2019 coincides with this year’s Heritage Open Days celebrations, which run from 13-22 September, and is England’s biggest festival of history and culture.
Events added to the line-up include the Harvest Festival at Sarehole Mill on Sunday 22 September in collaboration with Let’s Feed Brum to help the city’s homeless birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/22-sept/harvest-festival/.
Visit all the First World War Bilberry Hill Gun Proof Range sites in the Lickey Hills Country Park, where guides will explain the history behind these remnants of WWI. Taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/21-sept/bilberry-hill-gun-proof-range/.
Visit the Jewellery Quarter for an array of events including a tour of the Warstone Lane and Key Hill Cemeteries on Saturday 21 September. Learn about the prominent people who rest in the historic cemeteries, including Harriet Martineau, Alfred Bird and John Baskerville. birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/21-sept/warstone-lane-and-key-hill-cemeteries/. Or join a lively guided walk of the area, also on Saturday 21 September, looking at the people, places and themes that have helped to shape the district. birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/21-sept/jewellery-quarter-heritage-walk/.
Test your Brum knowledge at the Know Your City pub quiz at The Distillery on Thursday 19 September. Organised by Roundhouse Birmingham and the Ladywood History Group, the quiz includes rounds such as local landmarks, Birmingham music, entertainment, food and drink, notable Brummies, and more. birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/19-sept/know-your-city-pub-quiz-2/.
Join a guided tour of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and discover fascinating facts about this Grade II* listed building. Spaces are limited for the tour on Thursday 19 September so don’t miss out! birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/19-sept/birmingham-museum-art-gallery/.
Don a hard hat for a tour of the iconic former municipal bank building on Saturday 21 September. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the inside of this 1930s building and hear about the ambitious plans for its future. birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/21-sept/hard-hat-tour-of-former-municipal-bank/.
Enjoy an exclusive chance to see inside some of the historic grade II listed prefabs on the Wake Green Road on Saturday 21 September. Take a trip down memory lane and learn what prefab living was like through video, audio and printed histories more than 70 years on from when these quirky houses were first built. birminghamheritageweek.co.uk/21-sept/prefabulous-the-wake-green-road-prefabs/
Get involved on social media and share your Birmingham Heritage Week plans by using #BHeritageWeek.
Birmingham Heritage Week 2019 is supported by Jewellery Quarter BID, Birmingham City Council, Birmingham Museums Trust and ScanTech Digital.