National Trust Birmingham

National Trust Birmingham Stories and updates from the much-loved Birmingham Back to Backs, alongside the National Trust’s work across the city. Birmingham’s stories, past and present 💚

We also have a second-hand bookshop and exhibition space on site, these are free to enter and do not need to be booked in advance.

Calling all Birmingham residents 📢Turn your steps into the chance to win prizes - including a £500 National Trust gift v...
24/08/2026

Calling all Birmingham residents 📢

Turn your steps into the chance to win prizes - including a £500 National Trust gift voucher and blossom trees for your city - in a new, six-week walking and wheeling challenge starting 7 September.

This City Moves: Birmingham v Liverpool is a friendly competition between the two cities to help inspire more people to explore the local green spaces, heritage and nature on their doorstep.

We’ve teamed-up with Go Jauntly, the free walking app, who've created the challenge, along with lots of new photo-led walking trails around Birmingham.

There’s the Roundhouse Scavenger Hunt Trail, a 2.4km circular route around the city's canals and Victorian Roundhouse with family fun clues and things to spot along the way. You can also build up your steps by following the ‘Black Sabbath’ walking route - a 4.6km trail that passes the Black Sabbath Bridge, striking murals and street art.

There are also walks for different access needs such as the step free ‘Erdington and Rookery Park Trail’ and the ‘Sheldon Country Park Trail’.

To take part in the This City Moves: Birmingham v Liverpool challenge, all you need to do is download the Go Jauntly app for free and register. Then pick your team, Birmingham, Liverpool, or Team Rest of the World if you're joining from anywhere else*.
https://bit.ly/4gPEWK9

This City Moves is a partnership between Go Jauntly, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, Birmingham City Council and the National Trust, funded by the UK Government and Active Travel England. The challenge runs for six weeks between Monday 7 September and 18th October 2026.

* You must be a resident in either Liverpool City Combined Authority Region or Birmingham City Council region to be eligible to win the weekly and end of challenge prizes. Anyone can walk for their chosen city and the winning city will receive 10 blossom trees - the runner-up city will be given three blossom trees. For full terms and conditions visit Go Jauntly - This City Moves https://bit.ly/4gPEWK9

📸Credit: Go Jauntly

Birmingham… it’s kinda chic, bab! ✨Where else can you…👀 Find a draw of eyes - from brilliant galleries and iconic archit...
21/08/2026

Birmingham… it’s kinda chic, bab! ✨

Where else can you…

👀 Find a draw of eyes - from brilliant galleries and iconic architecture to those little hidden gems that make you stop and stare.

📚 Pick up a new read, sustainably - because a good book is even better when it comes with a little pre-loved charm.

🌳 Swap city streets for countryside views in just 30 minutes - jump in the car and head to National Trust Clent Hills for a breath of fresh air and fab scenic views!

And that’s just the beginning.

These are a few of the kinda chic things we love about Birmingham, but we know there’s so much more to discover.

What would you add to the list? 👇

Images: ©National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

18/08/2026

The fantastic team at the Blickling conservation studio have been hard at work cleaning and stabilising this buckskin trouser leg made by George Saunders; one of the last people to work from the Back to Backs houses.

This trouser leg makes up part of an important commission that George completed for the Queen’s Horse Guard. The Queen’s guard (now King’s guard) are a part of the British Army responsible for guarding Buckingham Palace and St James’ palace in London, often on horseback.

George took tailoring courses in London and applied for the job through an advertisement seeking a London-based tailor. His employers didn't discover he was actually working from Birmingham until six months later, and by then they valued his craftsmanship too highly to let him go!

George was incredibly skilled and known for his attention to detail. Although beautifully made, George kept two of the breeches he wasn’t completely satisfied with in his workshop. Thankfully that means they are still in our collection at the Back to Backs and on display for visitors to see. Even the garments he considered imperfect display an amazing level of skill and give us a fascinating look into his tailoring process.

Thanks to careful conservation treatment, these breeches have been stabilised so we can continue to share them with visitors for years to come.

After a year away, this item is now back on display at the Birmingham Back to Backs in the middle floor of George’s workshop.

If you'd like to book a tour of the Back to Backs, visit https://www.nationaltrust-tickets.org.uk/category/32912

13/08/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Licence to grow!🪴

Last chance to showcase your beautiful or bountiful balcony!

The Sky Gardening Challenge closes Sunday 16 August at 11:59pm — so there’s still time to enter.

Whether you’re Wild about Wildlife, growing your own food, finding Sustainable Solutions or creating a Greener Ground Floor, there’s a category for everyone.

If you live in a flat or apartment with a balcony or small green space — or know someone who does — this could be the perfect opportunity to show off your green-fingered creativity and be in with a chance of winning a prize!

🎥 As Alison Bond from Clarion Housing says in this fantastic video, there are lots of ways to get involved.

👉 Find out more about the Sky Gardening Challenge and how to enter via the website.

They'll be no afternoon tours at Birmingham Back to Backs this Thursday.Due to the extreme heat, the Birmingham Back to ...
11/08/2026

They'll be no afternoon tours at Birmingham Back to Backs this Thursday.

Due to the extreme heat, the Birmingham Back to Backs will be closed on Thursday afternoon. Anyone who had a tour booked during this time has been contacted directly.

Visiting the Back to Backs this week? Please bring a bottle of water with you while exploring the houses. The team also have water available in the courtyard for all visitors.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience.

🪡 Learn how to give old fabric a new lease of life🪡Every Thursday over the summer holidays at the Back to Backs, you’ll ...
31/07/2026

🪡 Learn how to give old fabric a new lease of life🪡

Every Thursday over the summer holidays at the Back to Backs, you’ll find the volunteer rag rugging team. Throughout the day you can drop in and sit with them as they show you how rag rug – you’ll also leave with your own piece to take home.

Rag rugging was a popular way of repurposing old clothes, sheets, towel or other scraps of fabric into something new. It was popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries, especially during the industrial revolution.

The rag rugging sessions are free and there’s no need to book, simply stop by the second-hand bookshop and a member of the Back to Backs team will point you in the right direction!

There's still space on our FREE gardening workshop at the Birmingham Back to Backs tomorrow (28/07) from 10am - 12pm as ...
27/07/2026

There's still space on our FREE gardening workshop at the Birmingham Back to Backs tomorrow (28/07) from 10am - 12pm as part of our Sky Gardening Challenge. 🌻

Perfect for sky gardeners in the city, or people looking to spruce up their outdoor balcony spaces with some colourful plants!

To join us, please email [email protected] to secure your spot!
Photo credit: National Trust Images/Paul Harris

🎂 Happy Birthday to Back to Backs! 🎂For 22 years, we've been bringing the stories of the working-class people who lived ...
23/07/2026

🎂 Happy Birthday to Back to Backs! 🎂

For 22 years, we've been bringing the stories of the working-class people who lived and worked in these unique houses to life. Taking visitors on a journey through time, from the 1840s right through to the 1970s.

As we celebrate this milestone, we'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has visited us since we opened in 2004. Your support has helped keep these remarkable homes and their stories alive.

A special thank you goes to our incredible volunteers, whose passion and dedication make everything we do possible. Whether leading tours, welcoming visitors with a smile in our second-hand bookshop and reception, or helping to conserve these unique back-to-back houses, your time and commitment are truly appreciated.

Image:©National Trust Images/John Millar/ David Rowan

01/07/2026

Are you a sky gardener? Someone who lives in a flat or apartment and greens small spaces such as a balcony or window boxes?

Whether you’re just starting out or have years of gardening experience, we'd love to celebrate the creative ways you're bringing nature to life in small spaces. Show us what’s in bloom on your balcony or the veggies you’ve grown from seed and enter the Sky Gardening Challenge 2026!

There’s up to 15 prizes to be won, including:
🌼 A day out at the National Trust
🌱 £200 gardening vouchers
📖 A photo book featuring the finalists

📅 Enter by midnight 16 August 2026 by sharing your gardening story online with photos or a video and commentary. You can also enter by post.

Find out more by searching Sky Gardening Challenge 2026 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/gardening-tips/sky-gardening-challenge-2026

Address

55-63 Hurst Street
Birmingham
B54TE

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Tuesday 1pm - 3pm
Wednesday 1pm - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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