Discover Brum’s hidden
JUNCTION WORKS & BANANA WAREHOUSE
This place looks like it could be straight off the set of Peaky Blinders! The strong industrial character, cobbled yard and blue brickwork of the Digbeth buildings serve as a focal point in Fazeley Street. You have an opportunity to go on a hard hat tour to see inside Junction Works – the former Canal Offices for Birmingham – and the Banana warehouse, prior to development. Grand Union is currently leading a £3.25m project to bring the Junction Works building back to life, transforming the derelict building into a contemporary art gallery and artist studios. The tour takes place on Sunday, September 15 from 11am - 12pm. Free, but booking is required.
THE BIRMINGHAM ORATORY
People are often surprised when they first step inside the Birmingham Oratory because it has an interior which evokes the Italian Baroque, filled with rich marble interiors and Italian mosaics which were produced by craftsmen in Murano, Italy. Once the home of Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, this Grade II listed building on Hagley Road dates mainly from the beginning of the 20th century and was founded by the famous English Catholic convert and writer cardinal John Henry Newman. The Holy Souls altar in the church and the Victorian cloisters contain memorials to those who died during the Great War. Today, it remains home to a vibrant and diverse Roman Catholic faith community. The church is open to visitors from 9am to 6.30pm on Thursday, September 19 and Friday, September 20 with tours at 11am and 2.15pm. It will also be open from 2pm to 6.30pm on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 with tours at 2.15pm and 3.30pm. Free, no booking required. Light refreshments will be served from 11am to 2pm on all four days.
BASKERVILLE KEYHILL CEMETERIES TOUR
Feeling brave enough for a twilight cemetery tour? If you are then you can discover the surprising story of John Baskerville’s burial in Warstone Lane Cemetery. This tour features the Keyhill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries and catacombs at their most atmospheric hour, providing great photo opportunities. It will also combine archive photos and historic facts to bring the story to life. Be sure to wear weather appropriate footwear and clothing and do take a torch. Tickets are free but limited. Meet at the
corner of Vyse Street and Pitsford Street.
HANDSWORTH OLD TOWN HALL
This 15th century Grade II listed cottage in Slack Lane houses a collection of photographs, maps and other memorabilia relating to Handsworth in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is an excellent example of early ‘cruck’ timber frame construction. You can visit on Saturday, September 14 between 10am and 5pm. Free, no booking required.
MOSELEY PARK AND POOL & ICEHOUSE
Moseley Park is hidden behind the shops in Moseley Village. You can walk round the pool, enjoy the peaceful oasis and test the echo in the well-preserved 18 century icehouse. The ice chamber has never had to be repaired and is still used to store ice during festivals in the park. Its entrance reminds us that JRR Tolkien visited Moseley Park – perhaps this is where he first thought of Hobbit holes! Saved from development in 1898 by some original Nimbys, Moseley Park and Pool has ever since provided a green lung for the area. Family activities will be available on the open day on Saturday, September 14 between 2pm and 5pm. Free, no booking required.
BOURNVILLE CARILLON
Installed by Bournville Village Trust founder George Cadbury in 1906, it’s thought to be one of the finest instruments of its kind in the world. It looks much like an organ and consists of 48 cast bronze bells, played serially to produce a melody which can be heard across the Village Green. The instrument and the carillon art are most commonly found in Belgium, Holland, France and the USA but are a rarity in the UK. On Saturday, September 14, the bells will be played at regular intervals from 10am to 4pm. Free, booking required.
Birmingham Heritage Week is back offering a host of hidden places to explore. More than 200 events feature over 11 days, including exhibitions, walks, open days and workshops – and most of the events are free. ZOE CHAMBERLAIN highlights some of the best
BILBERRY HILL GUN PROOF RANGE
Not normally accessible to the public, visitors can see all of the First World War Bilberry Hill Gun Proof Range sites in the Lickey Hills Country Park, where guides will explain the history behind these remnants of WWI. Look out for displays in the Visitor Centre’s School Room on the men whose names are on the war memorials. The range is opening to the public on Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22 from 11am to 4pm. There will be guided walks at 2pm on both days. This event is
organised by the Lickey Hills Local History Society. Free, no booking required.
CADBURY WORLD ‘FACTORY IN A GARDEN’
Cadbury World is inviting guests to discover the fascinating history of the Cadbury brand with a walking tour. You can discover the revolutionary thinking of John Cadbury and follow his family on their campaigns for justice, equality and social reform, striving to put an end to poverty and deprivation. While on the walk, you’ll learn about Bournville’s fascinating past, have a sneak peek into Birmingham’s unique ‘Factory in a Garden,’ and view examples of beautiful architecture. The free tour is on Thursday, September 19 from 3.15pm to 4.15pm.
ST MARY’S CONVENT OF MERCY
Built in 1841, St Mary’s, in Hunters Road, is a little-known architectural gem by Augustus Welby Pugin. The sisters are offering tours where you’ll get to see the restored interiors and many of the original features. Learn the story of the Sisters of Mercy through the exhibition trail of archives and artefacts and gain an insight into Catholic religious life from the 1830s-2000s. Discover the beautiful chapel and the bedroom of the foundress, the Venerable Catherine McAuley. There will also be a chance to meet some of the sisters. Tours last about 45 minutes and run from 10am to 4pm on Friday, September 20 and Saturday, September 21. Booking not required.
BOURNVILLE ALMSHOUSE TRUST
This is a rare opportunity to visit The Quadrangle, built for retired Cadbury workers - as part of a pre-booked tour. Richard Cadbury wished to provide homes for retired Cadbury workers, aged over 60 and on lower incomes, which led to the development of the 33 bungalows that occupy this site. Visitors can enjoy census details from 1901 & 1911, a talk by scheme manager Kathy Knight, an opportunity to meet a resident and learn of their experience of living in the Almshouses, and a guided tour of the main building and the grounds. The open day takes place on Saturday, September 14 between 10am and 4pm. Free but booking is essential.
OLD YARDLEY WALK
Join experts from the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society in a leisurely 2.5 mile stroll around the village of Yardley. Discover the hidden history of the area including two medieval moats that once surrounded manor houses, ridges remaining from medieval ploughing, and the historic buildings of old Yardley including (exterior only) St Edburgha’s church and the timber-framed old grammar school. The walk will be led by Dr Mike Hodder, former Birmingham city archaeologist, and Sue Whitehouse, who devised the society’s ‘See it for Free’ programme, a web-based invitation to explore the archaeological sites of Birmingham and Warwickshire. It takes place on Saturday, September 14 from 11.30 amto 1pm and then again from 2pm to 3.30pm. Free but booking required. Meet at Blakesley Hall.
PARISH CHURCH OF ST AGATHA, SPARKBROOK
This spectacular neo-gothic Grade I listed Bidlake church is a hidden gem, mentioned in the letters of John Betjeman. Most visitors are said to be surprised by just how beautiful the building is and impressed by the organ too. It opened in 1901 to house an Anglo-Catholic congregation, and from its beginning to the present day, the AngloCatholic tradition has been upheld. There will be activities for children and young people, light available and informative guides and displays on the open days on Sunday, September 15 between 10am and 4pm and Sunday, September 22 between 10am and 12.30pm. Each Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11am. Visitors are always welcome and it’s said to be the best time to hear the organ. Those who do not wish to participate are asked to wait respectfully while worship occurs. Free, no booking required.