Back to Backs hailed as UK’s No 1 hidden gem
City’s NationalTrust attraction racks up five-star reviews
THE best ‘hidden gem’ tourist attraction in the whole of the UK is in Birmingham. Brum’s Back to Backs top the list of things to do in the city, and now the country according to data from reviews site, Tripadvisor, and search giant Google.
The National Trust site is a historic group of terraced houses built around a central courtyard besides the Hippodrome Theatre, in Hurst Street.
They were the last back-to-backs of their sort, typical of the thousands that were cleared away from central Birmingham in the 50s and 60s.
They were carefully restored to show what life was like for generations of Brummies from the 1800s right up to the middle of the 20th century, with scores of people often living in cramped conditions around a central courtyard.
Tours include the three restored houses and George Saunders’ tailor’s shop. It provides a fantastic insight into the lives of the working class when Birmingham was a hive of industrial activity.
Tour guides received high praise for their knowledge and making the visit enjoyable for young and old.
One visitor said on Tripadvisor: “Every Brummie should visit. What an amazing tour. Our guide Betty’s enthusiasm was infectious. She was brilliant. Learning about the backs to backs from 1840 to 1939 was a great snapshot of the social history of this wonderful city.
“These are not slums. Don’t be put off by what they later became... these reflect the heyday of the backs to backs when Birmingham was a city of a thousand trades. Great value for money. Highly recommend.”
Another said: “Fascinating tour about the history of Birmingham. Very well-preserved property laid out well. Tour guide Dave was knowledgeable and passionate and actually grew up in a back-to-back. Much appreciated.”
Jack P said: “Great historic back to backs in Birmingham.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect from this National Trust site, but I was absolutely blown away by it. Can’t recommend this enough to everyone.”
The Birmingham Back to Backs came out top in the UK after research was carried out by luggage storage firm, Bounce.
It analysed reviews data, with some 4,072 for the Brummie tourist spot and 98.06 per cent of them ‘excellent or good’.
Tripadvisor rated the Back to Backs as number one in the city out of 418 attractions.
In second place was the Victoria Tunnel, a subterranean wagon-way that runs under Newcastle upon Tyne.
The National Coal Mining Museum in Overton, Wakefield, Yorkshire, took third place.