Birmingham 2 hour Walking Tour: Discover the Jewellery Quarter and the City's History

Discover the rich history of Birmingham and its famous Jewellery Quarter on a 2-hour walking tour. Explore the city’s medieval origins, Victorian heritage, canal network, and artistic side. Perfect for social distancing and accessible for those with impaired hearing.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Centenary Square - We start here and introduce the tour. We learn a lot about the city from things in and around the Square.
  • Jewellery Quarter - We enter the Jewellery Quarter by a secret canal route that even locals do not use. We learn about the way the Jewellery Quarter developed and the different types of business that developed from Gergian times. We see the way the modern Quarter is taking its place in today’s city.
  • St. Paul’s Church - Known as the Jewellery Quarter church we view the outside of this lovely 1779 example of Georgian architecture.
  • Birmingham Cathedral - We look at this fine English Baroque cathedral. On occasions if there is time and not conflciting events we may go in and experience the Edward Burne-Jones stained glass
  • St. Chad’s Cathedral - We view St Chads from the inner ring road. We appreciate only too well the issues with post-war redevelopment when the car was king. We decide for ourselves if Birmingham has a planned redevelopment.
  • Victoria Square - Having seen St Philip’s Cathedral and lots more in between we return towards the Library of Birmingham by several important city Squares.
  • Chamberlain Square - We see this renovated square and understand more about the way the modern city is reconfiguring for the future.
What's Included
  • Local guide provided
  • Audio receiver loan for clear guide listening
What's Not Included
  • There are no entry tickets required for this tour.
Additional Information

Unfolding Birmingham and its Jewellery Quarter - The Positively Birmingham Journey No. 3
We deploy a live audio system - the guide is armed with a transmitter while our participants use a receiver. Regardless of the distance, every word is clearly audible making it suitable for maintaining social distancing and also beneficial for those with hearing difficulties.
Grasp the evolution of Birmingham and witness that our present work modalities are strongly anchored in our past. An in-depth exploration of the city’s current state in relation to the backdrop of its historical significance as an epicentre of the industrial revolution now adapting proactively to future challenges. Our focus includes:
• The bygone era – beginnings in the medieval period
• Transition from Georgian businesspeople to Victorian visionaries
• The Jewellery Quarter
• The canal network
• Cultural richness
• The city’s ongoing evolution towards the future.

This two-hour walk through presents a concise overview of the city and is equally enlightening for both residents and tourists.

Starting/Ending point: Front gate of the Library of Birmingham

  • We try not to cancel tours even with adverse weather conditions. If it is raining please bring a suitable coat or umbrella. In the event of icy conditions the tour route may be adapted.
Location
Library of Birmingham
Centenary Square
Sunday tour starts 13:30 at: Front entrance of the new Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square, B1 2EA. Please arrive 5-10 min before departure time. Tour is 1 3/4 hour appoximately and finishes back at Library of Birmingham.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(295 Ratings)
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Stuoddy
Sep 15, 2024
Interesting and engaging - excellent tour, really interesting guide - Johnathon who was informative and engaging, highly recommend this tour full of historical facts
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T3087ufanner
Sep 15, 2024
Highly recommended tour - Very interesting and enjoyable walking tour around the jewellery quarter. Jonathan brings the history alive with anecdotes and references to what you see you around you as you walk. He is steeped in the history of Birmingham and has a passion to share it. The live audio system means you catch every word. Highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
377juliea
Sep 8, 2024
A super two hour historical talk and walk. - The walk and talk gave an informative insight into Birmingham's heritage and the importance of the jewellery quarter in it's development. Jonathan's delivery was innovative and humorous and two hours passed very quickly. The use of headsets was good although the technology failed intermittently, however this did not mar a memorable experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vinap18
Sep 2, 2024
Great Sunday afternoon tour walk - Jonathan is a fabulous tour guide and made the walking tour very interesting and informative. Great 2 hours walk around Jewellery Quarter Birmingham Definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cmillward1
Sep 1, 2024
Really nice tour - Really nice tour with interesting information. We walked along the canals and learnt about the industrial revolution. Jonathan was friendly and enthusiastic. Would recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Geoffs756
Aug 10, 2024
A pleasant walk with history becoming alive. - A pleasant walk with Jonathon tracing the development of the city, focusing on the jewelry trade with reference to the built features that have survived and with accounts of the personalities involved. Jonathon has an engaging style with a personal approach and an enthusiasm for Birmingham. Thoroughly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S1425oudanil
Aug 5, 2024
A perfect mix of 'sightseeing' and learning a bit about Birmingham's entrepreneurial history - Really interesting insights into less popular parts of the city and many historic background informations told with Jonathan's great humour and wit. His English was easy to follow also for none native speakers! Thanks for the great tour, we highly recommend it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theresabn8168aw
Aug 5, 2024
Enjoyable and informative walking tour-recommend 😊 - Jonathan is an enthusiastic and knowledgeable tour guide of Birmingham, very enjoyable couple of hours learning about my own city-highly recommend 😊
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E9866dnsarahs
Sep 8, 2024
It’s a cruet set! - Fast paced enthusiastic and full to the brim with history and stories about the jewellery quarter. Throughly enjoyed it, and so did my dog! Would recommend to all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sue4500744
Aug 4, 2024
Walk to the Jewellery quarter - Jonathan was as enthusiastic as usual, giving loads of information and looking at parts of the City you wouldn't usually visit. Lovely walk along the canal and visited some interesting squares where jewellery quarter factories used to be. Good pace, lively presentation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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