Coffin Works
Coffin Works
5
Thursday
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
A Victorian Coffin Fittings factory, restored by Birmingham Conservation Trust and opened as a museum in October 2014. The shelves and workbenches at Newman Brothers are full of original stock and tools of the trade. With the original machinery working again, you can truly experience how this old Jewellery Quarter firm once operated on a day-to-day basis, producing some of the world's finest coffin furniture, including the fittings for the funerals of Joseph Chamberlain, Winston Churchill and the Queen Mother.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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Address
Neighborhood: Ladywood
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1,370 within 3 miles
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406 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
945 reviews
Excellent
754
Very good
160
Average
25
Poor
3
Terrible
3
sloughrushhour
Burnham, UK95 contributions
Nov 2022
An interesting slice of light-industrial history, It is hard to believe that these machines were used so recently.
Written March 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rebecca L
1 contribution
Feb 2023
An absolutely excellent and fascinating guided tour of the factory given by a friendly and knowledgeable guide. The interactive elements and original artefacts and machinery bring the past to life. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the social history of Birmingham.
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Paul M
3 contributions
Feb 2023
We were staying in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter and wanted to visit one of the metalworking museums there. The two we looked at first were both closed but we found out about the Coffin Works. We weren't quite sure what to expect but it turned out to be really excellent, giving a great insight into the city's metalworking. The explainers in the various rooms were all brilliant. Thoroughly recommended!
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michele
Birmingham, UK36 contributions
Feb 2023
My husband and I recently participated in a guided walking tour, organised by the people at the Coffin Works, of Birmingham's Key HIll Cemetery and Warstone cemetery. Very ably and knowledgeably led by Ian, it was a fascinating 90 minutes walking around these two city centre cemeteries - so many notable people from the city are buried there - including Joseph Chamberlain (who opted to be buried in this cemetery, rather than in Westminster Abbey (which had been offered to his family). Absolutely fasincating! Would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to find out more about the history (as well as social history) of Birmingham, the UKs second city! The walking tour also included a lunch at the Shakespeare Pub in the Jewellery Quarter, followed by a guided tour of the Coffin Works, but we only participated in the walk. Excellent value for money!
Written February 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Danny
Northampton, UK4 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
Go for a guided tour, so much history contained in a little workshop. Cool to see the Victorian machinery still going strong
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dave B
2 contributions
Feb 2023
Great place to visit, interesting and imformative. Try to book a guided tour if you can for extra history and demonstrations along the way. Nice cafe for a drink and snack afterwards. I use a mobility scooter and accessible throughout. Highly recommended.
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Matt Ashton
Wirral, UK5 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Amazing place to visit, so much history and mostly untouched from its hay day. We had a tour guide Matt, who was brilliant and went into so much detail that only a guide can do. Well worth a visit if in Birmingham.
Written December 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank for the great review, our guides really do know their stuff!
Written February 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Helenski29
Sutton in Ashfield, UK23 contributions
Dec 2022
We were just walking past after visiting the jewellery quarter and decided on the off chance to see if they had any spaces on the tours . We were lucky one was just setting off our tour guide Cornelius was very informative and we got to see him demonstrate the original machinery in the stamping room .
Although the works are quite small they are very interesting. We learned a lot about Coffin furnishings , the history of both the workers & the factory itself .
Although the works are quite small they are very interesting. We learned a lot about Coffin furnishings , the history of both the workers & the factory itself .
Written December 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for leaving us a review, it really helps to get the word out there. Cornellius will be happy you enjoyed his tour.
Written February 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Andrew H
4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Dead interesting place, brought to life by knowledgeable friendly staff. Adam especially was a great story teller.
Go here if you're bored of museums and want a hands on experience of Birmingham's history. Think Joyce would be proud of what the place has become.
Go here if you're bored of museums and want a hands on experience of Birmingham's history. Think Joyce would be proud of what the place has become.
Written December 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
So glad you enjoyed your visit here, I will show Adam this review - he will be so pleased. I'm sure Joyce would be amazed at what her little factory has become.
Written February 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
marj47
wirral48 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Wonderful knowledgeable volunteer guides. So interesting especially the lives of the women sewers. Although small it was so informative about working lives in Birmingham.
Written November 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, so glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written December 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alessandra A
Turin, Italy32 contributions
Dear KatKent1, could you please share the website you mention as a source of info for your Birmingham tour? thanks Alex
KatKent1
Kent, UK39 contributions
Hi! I'm sorry but I have only just picked up your question. I can't remember the exact website I used as I just googled things to do in Birmingham and found the Coffin Works on it.
RaistlinEyes
3 contributions
The Mothers Day review left me speechless. Did she pick out her favourite?
Jaybird
Chesterfield, UK3,334 contributions
I am fortunate enough to have an imaginative daughter who puts some thought into taking me somewhere different for Mothers Day. I had an excellent time - much better than all those mothers who got an overpriced bunch of flowers and a carvery meal at their local chain pub. Yes it was a giggle when she told me where she was taking me but we did get a photo fo me posing with a coffin - because we have a great sense of humour.
Is there entry fee to this site? What days of the week & time is the site opened
Suze_Carter
Birmingham, UK14 contributions
Thanks for getting in touch. There is a charge of £5 adults, £4 concessions and £3 children for one hour's guided factory tours. We are opening on 13 September all day for free, however, as part of this years's Heritage Open Days event. Hope to see you! Suzanne
pam y
Harvington, UK991 contributions
Hi. How would I book a tour please. I can't find your web site! Do you do yours on Saturdays and what is the lenght of the tour and cost
Thanks
Pam
Suze_Carter
Birmingham, UK14 contributions
Hi Pam our tours run daily including Saturdays on the hour from 12 until 3, then a shorter tour at a quarter past four. We are closed Mondays. The tour lasts about 1 hour and costs £5 adult, £4 concessions and £3 child. you can prebook to guarantee a place on 0121 2334790 if you google coffin works it should come up first. Look forward to seeing you! Best wishes, Suzanne
UkEcho
uk3 contributions
we have a standard poodle he is a pet .do you let dogs in.thank you
Suze_Carter
Birmingham, UK14 contributions
Sorry, only assistance dogs allowed in the museum. Thanks for asking. Suzanne
Sue N
Kinver, Stourbridge, United Kingdom37 contributions
How far are u from the station please?
Suze_Carter
Birmingham, UK14 contributions
Hi Sue. We are about 10-15 mins walk from New Street and 5 mins from Snow Hill (exit into the Jewellery Quarter). There are more details on our website including maps. Sorry it won't let me paste a link here. See CoffinWorks / visit / Directions
Hope to see you! Best wishes, Suzanne
Coffin Works (Birmingham) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Coffin Works
- Coffin Works is open:
- Thu - Thu 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
- Fri - Sun 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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