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Back to Backs

Back to Backs

General overview.

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Carefully restored, atmospheric 19th-century courtyard of working peoples' houses and lives. An immersive glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham an extraordinary city.


On a fascinating guided tour, step back in time at Birmingham's last surviving court of back to backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard. Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work. With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.
You can also visit our second-hand bookshop and changing exhibition spaces without needing to pre-book a visit.


Detailed Information

Contacts:

Address:
National Trust
Back to Backs
55-63 Hurst Street
Birmingham
B5 4TE

Booking line: 0344 249 1895
Office: 0121 622 2442

For general non booking information requests please email us on backtobacks@nationaltrust.org.uk

Contact Person(s):
Operations Manager – Ashton Cartmell Ashton.cartmell@nationaltrust.org.uk

 


National Trust Website


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Pricing and Bookings procedure
Visits to the Birmingham Back to Backs are by guided tours only. Booking prior to visit is essential and an online booking tool will allow bookings four weeks in advance with tickets released every Thursday. You can book online Buy Birmingham Back to Backs Tickets online - National Trust (nationaltrust-tickets.org.uk) or over the phone on 0344 249 1895.

Events at the Back to Backs

Admission


  • Full tour:             Gift Aid            Standard
    Adult                      £11                   £10
    Child                      £5.50                 £5
    Family (2 adults)  £27.50               £25
    Family (1 adult)    £16.50               £15

    Ground floor tour:
                                 Gift Aid         Standard
    Adult                       £8.80                 £8
    Child                       £4.40                 £4
    Family (2 adults)     £22                    £20
    Family (1 adult)       £13.20               £12

What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.

Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:

Gift Aid Admission
Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.

Opening Hours

Facilities

  • W.C.

Services

  • Guided tours - pre-booking ESSENTIAL.
  • Events
  • Volunteering Opportunities

Disabled Visitors

  • Disabled access
  • Braille guides
  • Induction loops

How to get there:

  • The Back to Backs are located in the centre of Birmingham, next to the Hippodrome Theatre, within easy walking distance of the bus station.
  • Train: Nearest station is Birmingham New Street.
  • Bus: nos. 65, 104, 7, 11, 653 from city centre.

Parking

  • Cars:The Bull Ring car parks and Arcadian car park are a five-minute walk away from the Back to Backs.
  • Coaches:

Average Length of Visit

The full guided tour lasts 90 minutes and the ground floor tour last 60 minutes
It takes about 30 minutes to look around the bookshop and exhibition spaces

Other heritage attractions nearby:

Other National Trust properties nearby:

  • Clent Hills:

  • Stunning countryside haven in the heart of the Midlands with beautiful panoramic views to the Cotswolds, Shropshire Hills and Welsh borders. Facilities include fantastic café serving the best bacon butties around!