Coffin Works
Coffin Works
5
11:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:15 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:15 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:15 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.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Neighborhood: Ladywood
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- HW31Dudley, United Kingdom185 contributionsFascinating museum a slice of manufacturing BirminghamBooked a guided tour and had Chris as our guide, he was brilliant - a pool of knowledge, humour and full of stories about the factory and people who worked there. The whole place was fascinating, a real slice of manufacturing history in Birmingham mixed with the social history of mourning and how things changed over the decades. Really impressed and thoroughly recommend a visit. Was great to have the guided tour then be able to walk round again and take photos and have a closer look at things and ask other volunteers questions.Visited October 2023Traveled soloWritten October 21, 2023
- Shazza19Bristol, United Kingdom8 contributionsExcellent museumWe opted for a tour with a guide and we’re really glad we paid the extra. Our guide Mark was excellent - very knowledgeable, engaging and entertaining. Although a museum about the company’s production of coffin and funeral items might not sound interesting it really was, and everything is done respectfully and sensitively throughout. It is like going back in time with lots of items left in situ from when the Coffin Works closed. Mark told us fascinating things we’d not have known if we’d just gone around on our own. Thoroughly recommend visiting.Visited October 2023Traveled as a coupleWritten October 28, 2023
- RĂ©becca SavageHampshire, United Kingdom5 contributionsEnjoyable and informative tour from SarahTwo colleagues and I visited whilst in town. We work in funerals ourselves so it was of particular interest. The museum was clean, clear where needed and as accessible as was possible given the age of the building. Whilst the site was smaller than expected, there was lots to see. We were given a very thorough and interesting group tour by Sarah. They spoke clearly and made some quips during which were funny without being cheesy. They answered any questions asked fully and confidently. We were grateful to be shown round by them.Visited December 2023Traveled on businessWritten December 4, 2023
- Jess PSt Helens, United Kingdom212 contributionsInteresting and just a bit macabreHad a really interesting time at the Coffin Works. Wasn’t sure what to expect but had it on my list for a while, so booked a night in Birmingham to visit. Cornelius in the demonstration room was amazing, he showed us how the machines worked and you could buy some of the stamped RIP labels in the gift shop afterwards. The shroud display was a particular highlight. I would have liked a few more signs around and to learn about how they make the wooden boxes, but this was a cute museum and worth the price. Just prepare to cover your ears when the stamping machines are demonstrated!Thank you for your review, We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit and will pass on your comments to Cornellius. We have taken on board your comments about signage and this is something that we are reviewing. We hope that you will visit us again.Written February 1, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 6, 2024
- Ruthe30Holmes Chapel, United Kingdom37 contributionsFantastic VisitWhat a true hidden gem. We had an exclusive tour with Robin and it was so interesting, you got a real taste of working life in the Jewellery quarter in times past. We had coffee and cake in the lovely cafe afterwards. Please visit t you won't regret it!Thank you for your review. We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed your tour and the cafe. We will pass on your compliments to Robin.Written February 1, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 19, 2024
- Claire TTotnes, United Kingdom6 contributionsQuirky but fascinating!Quirky museum but absolutely fascinating! The staff in each room were so knowledgeable and shared such interesting facts and demonstrations, incorporating tales of previous employees. Well worth a visit if you are in the area. Nice little cafe too!Thank you for your review. It is lovely to hear that you enjoyed talking to our volunteers and hearing about the stories of people who used to work here. We hope to see you again.Written February 1, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Traveled with friendsWritten January 20, 2024
- John ABrentwood, United Kingdom451 contributionsFascinating insight into social and industrial history.Your first thought is that it will be about carpentry and wooden boxes, but no, it is the handles, plates, shroud and internal fittings. Really fascinating to see how the fittings were pressed and polished, the warehouse where items were inspected, packed, stored and dispatched. And then to to the shroud room which in later years had a line of sewing machines with women busy making the shrouds. The staff were really knowledgeable and were happy to talk, no rush to move on but it was quite quiet when we went. Definitely an education.Thank you so much for your review. We are so glad to hear you had such a wonderful time at The Coffin Works. It certainly is one of a kind! We will make sure to pass on your compliments to our volunteers too.Written February 23, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten February 9, 2024
- Voyage2816124 contributionsUnderstand Birmingham and BrummiesI suspect that people who get the most from the visit would be those who had family connections,like me. Others would be social historians and those seeking to find the soul of Birmingham. A city driven by the need to make money,and the work required to achieve that. Effectively the China of it day.After London,Birmingham is still the biggest wealth generator in the UK, a testimony to the drive and grit of its residents. This is what Birmingham was and is about even today. So new arrivals to the City would gain a better understanding of their fellow residents by an early visit to this museumThank you for your review, I am pleased to hear that you felt a connection to Birmingham through the museum.Written February 29, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited February 2024Traveled with familyWritten February 25, 2024
- Laura P1 contributionMarch 1stA thoroughly enjoyable experience. 10/10. Our tour guide Owen was fabulous and made the tour enjoyable and he was very knowledgeable. Would I go again? Most definitely! I recommend guided tours, over the self guided but that's a personal preference!Thank you for your review, it is lovely to hear that you would like to visit us again. I will pass on your thanks to Owen.Written March 19, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited March 2024Traveled with familyWritten March 1, 2024
- Donna T2 contributionsMust visit Birmingham gemThe Coffin Works is a real gem for anyone interested in social history. We selected the self-guided tour because timings of the guided tour did not fit with our schedule on the day we visited (a Friday). This was still highly informative, thanks to very knowledgeable, friendly staff along the whole route ready to share interesting information and lively stories of the staff who worked there. The very reasonable price for the tour included a high quality guidebook and a bookmark that looks like an old fashioned clocking in card, which we were encouraged to put into the original clocking in machine. There are many hands on opportunities, I enjoyed testing out rusty typewriting skills on an old fashioned typewriter. One of the highlights was a demonstration of die stamping in the original stamping shop, again very informative. There is a small coffee shop, very relaxed and must be the most reasonably priced, good coffee in the Jewellery Quarter. There was also a nicely stocked, reasonably priced gift shop. This place is a must see for Brummies and tourists who want to visit an authentic factory, to learn about how people lived and worked in Birmingham from late Victorian times, and also to get a solid introduction to Birmingham's industrial heritage. A very relaxed atmosphere, brilliant staff, this is a place for Birmingham to be proud of.Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your self-guided visit. We do have a very special volunteer team here, who all bring so much enthusiasm to the museum, and we will pass on your lovely words on to the team. We like to make the experience as immersive as possible with our clocking in machine, handling tables and the stamp room demonstration. We really appreciate all your comments about our café and gift shop. Thank you for your recommendation and we are very proud to be a part of the fabric of Birmingham's heritage too.Written April 25, 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 6, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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5.0
1,017 reviews
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Dangle M
12 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
Whilst this is a brilliant time capsule and an excellent, volunteer led, niche museum, is it worth the entry fee of ÂŁ8.50 per person? Perhaps not.
Just like Birmingham's Custard Factory, where if you're hoping to find oodles of the yellow liquid you'll find none, there's a sad lack of actual coffins at the Coffin Works.
Yes there are demonstrations of how the fixtures and fittings were made in the workshop. And there's plenty of surplus stock to view. But once through the warehouse and office you'll be out again within half an hour.
Just like Birmingham's Custard Factory, where if you're hoping to find oodles of the yellow liquid you'll find none, there's a sad lack of actual coffins at the Coffin Works.
Yes there are demonstrations of how the fixtures and fittings were made in the workshop. And there's plenty of surplus stock to view. But once through the warehouse and office you'll be out again within half an hour.
Written July 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for supporting the Coffin Works with your visit and for taking the time to give us some feedback. We're glad you enjoyed our time capsule and for appreciating our wonderful volunteers, we wouldn't be able to open without their dedication, for which we are endlessly grateful.
We're sorry it was not quite what you expected, we do try to make it as clear as possible on all our pre-visit information (including our website, social media and Trip Advisor) that, as a manufactory, we specialised in the production of coffin furniture and fittings rather than the coffins themselves.
We pride ourselves on our place within Birmingham's industrial and social history and our volunteer enablers do love to share the plethora of associated stories and information, they are a fabulous resource not to be missed throughout the museum. Additionally, we have a mobile tour and information booklet included in the ticket price that gives access to a huge amount of information to be explored if the subject matter has sparked your interest.
We value all feedback, so if you had any further comments, please do feel free to contact me on claire@coffinworks.org and thanks again for your time
Written August 4, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
suieww
Kidderminster, UK73 contributions
Sep 2021
WOW, This small museum is tucked between huge modern buildings and is an absolute little treasure. I wasn't to keen on the idea to be honest, but the fabulous volunteers are so full of knowledge and passion about the Works you cant help but get caught up in their enthusiasm. I would point out that its not about making coffins, but about the handles and all the associated ironmongery used on and in coffins. Non of it is hard to view and you visit the Works that is now just as it was when the company closed in the 1990's. Even down to the tea pots and cups and saucers left by the machinists in the sewing room. Alice was so sweet when we arrived and told us it was her first day on the front desk, she did really well and was very personable. We were then so very lucky that Vickie was the first volunteer we spoke to in the working area and managed to see her on every floor, the information she gave us was amazing and inciteful. Cornelius in the Press Shop made us realise how hard working life would have been then back in the 1800. You can buzz round this museum if you don't have much time, but we so enjoyed hearing all about what had gone on and how it came to be left as a museum and the site not sold for huge amounts of money... Its not often you get the chance to see behind the scenes of something that wouldn't be spoken of very often..
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much taking the time to send this, our volunteers really are brilliant. So lovely you had to time to listen to all the stories and really take it all in.
We are all very passionate about the Coffin Works and its good to hear that it shows!
Written September 17, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Michele
Birmingham, UK76 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 as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen S
London, UK75 contributions
Mar 2022 • Friends
Wasn’t sure what to expect, and was really pleasantly surprised. Our guide gave us a fascinating look at what went on at the coffin works, and so much more - a real social history lesson. There was nothing morbid about the visit, although I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone recently bereaved, for obvious reasons, or to Birmingham City fans, for less obvious ones.
Written April 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad you enjoyed your visit more than you expected, our tour guides do an amazing job telling the story of the factory.
Thank you for leaving us such a nice review!
Written May 27, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Maria P
1 contribution
Mar 2023
The Coffin Works is a unique, quirky, interesting and a fun place to visit. The volunteer guide was Billy Connelly - yes, Scottish and looking like his name sake! He entertained a large group of varied people for nearly two hours and we were all fascinated and entertained. I took a friend with me from Devon, who was extremely dubious about Birmingham, but the visit to the Coffin Works gave him an entirely new view of Birmingham and its history. It's a great outing for anyone!
Written March 26, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anoushka3005
Amsterdam, The Netherlands344 contributions
Aug 2021 • Friends
My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to the Coffin Works. I would highly recommend the guided talk at 11am (self-guided tours also available). Heather, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and she really brought alive the story of the business. The different spaces of the tour were fascinating. A great museum!
Written August 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review, we're so glad you enjoyed your visit and Heather will be so very pleased to hear how much you enjoyed her guided tour. Our guides really do love bringing the story to life!
Written August 24, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Donna T
2 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The Coffin Works is a real gem for anyone interested in social history. We selected the self-guided tour because timings of the guided tour did not fit with our schedule on the day we visited (a Friday). This was still highly informative, thanks to very knowledgeable, friendly staff along the whole route ready to share interesting information and lively stories of the staff who worked there. The very reasonable price for the tour included a high quality guidebook and a bookmark that looks like an old fashioned clocking in card, which we were encouraged to put into the original clocking in machine. There are many hands on opportunities, I enjoyed testing out rusty typewriting skills on an old fashioned typewriter. One of the highlights was a demonstration of die stamping in the original stamping shop, again very informative.
There is a small coffee shop, very relaxed and must be the most reasonably priced, good coffee in the Jewellery Quarter. There was also a nicely stocked, reasonably priced gift shop.
This place is a must see for Brummies and tourists who want to visit an authentic factory, to learn about how people lived and worked in Birmingham from late Victorian times, and also to get a solid introduction to Birmingham's industrial heritage. A very relaxed atmosphere, brilliant staff, this is a place for Birmingham to be proud of.
There is a small coffee shop, very relaxed and must be the most reasonably priced, good coffee in the Jewellery Quarter. There was also a nicely stocked, reasonably priced gift shop.
This place is a must see for Brummies and tourists who want to visit an authentic factory, to learn about how people lived and worked in Birmingham from late Victorian times, and also to get a solid introduction to Birmingham's industrial heritage. A very relaxed atmosphere, brilliant staff, this is a place for Birmingham to be proud of.
Written April 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your wonderful review! We're so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed your self-guided visit. We do have a very special volunteer team here, who all bring so much enthusiasm to the museum, and we will pass on your lovely words on to the team.
We like to make the experience as immersive as possible with our clocking in machine, handling tables and the stamp room demonstration. We really appreciate all your comments about our café and gift shop. Thank you for your recommendation and we are very proud to be a part of the fabric of Birmingham's heritage too.
Written April 25, 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Orangemonkey2011
Birmingham, UK46 contributions
Feb 2022
A genuinely unique and interesting place. The staff were excellent. We did the guided tour but you can also walk around yourself - on a self guided tour. It was brought to life (sorry could not resist) by the stories of those who worked there and the social changes going on over the lifetime (I know) of the factory. Don't get put off by the subject matter, this is a museum of industry, people, changing tastes and fashions, all reflected in a very unique manufacturer. Go, you won't regret it.
Written February 27, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for visiting our museum, we are definitely unique and we are so proud of our fantastic volunteers who work so hard to provide a great welcome and bring the factory to life!
Written April 1, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DevonRed
Trusham, UK692 contributions
Sep 2021
The Coffin Works are a beautifully maintained former coffin accessories, shrouds and fittings factory in the heart of the city.
Seeing the conditions in which the staff created the metalwork that was attached to the coffins was really fascinating and it felt like stepping into another time and place. The volunteers were particularly good, specifically Joe in the Stamping room.
Visitors do though need to be aware that this is not an attraction where you will see actual coffins - rather this is where everything that was attached to the coffin (handles/plaques as well as the shrouds worn by the deceased) not the coffin itself.
Seeing the conditions in which the staff created the metalwork that was attached to the coffins was really fascinating and it felt like stepping into another time and place. The volunteers were particularly good, specifically Joe in the Stamping room.
Visitors do though need to be aware that this is not an attraction where you will see actual coffins - rather this is where everything that was attached to the coffin (handles/plaques as well as the shrouds worn by the deceased) not the coffin itself.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, I shall make sure Joe sees this!
Written September 17, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Alice C
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • Solo
This is a fantastic museum covering a very particular area of Birmingham's cultural history, coffin embellishments and shrouds. It is obvious the great amount of thought and care that has gone into the curation of the factory. Very unique in that there is hardly any separation between visitors and artefacts which I found made for a more immersive experience. I popped in before catching a train back up North so it did end up being a bit of a flying visit, but my guide was so obliging and guided me through with tons of information within the hour I had to spare. The visit was worth every penny and I'd love to come back for a more leisurely visit!
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for your lovely review and appreciation of our museum curation, everyone who's been a part of the Coffin Works just loves it and we're so glad you felt that come across. We also love how much you felt a part of the museum and history itself by being amongst all the collection, we really are a time capsule! We'll look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Written October 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dear KatKent1, could you please share the website you mention as a source of info for your Birmingham tour? thanks Alex
Written December 13, 2018
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.
Written January 27, 2019
The Mothers Day review left me speechless. Did she pick out her favourite?
Written March 8, 2016
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.
Written May 8, 2016
Is there entry fee to this site? What days of the week & time is the site opened
Written August 25, 2015
Thanks for getting in touch. There is a charge of ÂŁ5 adults, ÂŁ4 concessions and ÂŁ3 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
Written August 25, 2015
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
Written May 17, 2015
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 ÂŁ5 adult, ÂŁ4 concessions and ÂŁ3 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
Written May 17, 2015
we have a standard poodle he is a pet .do you let dogs in.thank you
Written March 22, 2015
Sorry, only assistance dogs allowed in the museum. Thanks for asking. Suzanne
Written March 23, 2015
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
Written February 18, 2015
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