National Trust - Birmingham Back to Backs
About This Museum
Tucked away just a stone's throw from the bustling heart of Birmingham, the Back to Backs are a rare survivor. This unique courtyard of restored houses lets you step directly into the lives of the ordinary people who called them home. Through guided tours, you'll walk through four distinct residences, each meticulously recreated to show how everything from decor to daily chores evolved over 130 years. It’s an incredibly intimate and moving glimpse into the real social history of a changing industrial city.
Collection Highlights
The tour moves chronologically, starting in a cramped 1840s tailor's workshop and home, then progressing to a 1870s family residence for a jeweller. You'll later see a 1930s house decorated for a family of lottery winners and finally peek into a 1970s lodger's room, complete with period wallpaper and furnishings that feel strangely familiar.
Visitor Information
You absolutely must book your tour in advance, as access is by guided tour only—they're small and fill up fast. The site is managed by the National Trust, so members get in for free while non-members will need to purchase a ticket.
Architecture & Building
These are classic 'back-to-back' houses, a common but now almost vanished form of working-class housing. They were built literally back-to-back around a central courtyard, sharing rear walls with no through ventilation or private gardens, designed to maximize space in the crowded city.
Contact & Location
Address: Birmingham, West Midlands, England, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 121 622 2442
Website: Visit Website
