Venue

An atmospheric glimpse into the lives of the ordinary people who helped make Birmingham an extraordinary city.

On a fascinating guided tour, step back in time at Birmingham's last surviving court of back to backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard.

Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work. With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.

A gallery full of contemporary craft, displays of historic items, plus events for all ages. Great inspiration for your little art fans as you can hold and touch a number of items. Free to visit.

The gallery has a changing exhibition programme that features some great examples of modern craft such as jewellery, textiles, ceramics, woodwork and more.

Big Pit is a real coal mine and one of Britain's leading mining museums. With facilities to educate and entertain all ages, Big Pit is an exciting and informative day out.

Underground Tours

Prepare to be lowered 90 metres (300 feet) down the Big Pit mineshaft for our famous underground tour - a captivating journey around a section of original underground workings.

Visitors wear the very same equipment – helmet, cap lamp, belt, battery and ‘self rescuer’ – used by miners. Take a seat in the miners Waiting Rooms before embarking on your journey.

Skidby Mill is a working four-sailed tower windmill, the last working mill in Yorkshire. It is set in an acre of land and has magnificent views over the Wolds. The mill is unusual in still having all its original outbuildings around the courtyard. Some of these buildings have been converted to form the Museum of East Riding Rural Life.

As a working windmill, Skidby supports learning in history, numeracy, science, design and technology, and geography.