Birmingham Council House Tour

This event is in the process of being postponed. If you were interested in booking, please add yourself to the waiting list and we will let you know once a new date has been arranged.

The Council House is a landmark building in Victoria Square, right at the city’s heart. Building started during Joseph Chamberlain’s time as Mayor. Its grand exterior reflects Birmingham’s Victorian ambition and dominance in industry and commerce. The richly decorated facade speaks of civic pride and power.

Inside, we step into the world of Victorian ideals and the Council Chamber where local democracy was shaped. Today, it remains the seat of one of Europe’s largest local authorities where 100 elected members meet to decide the city’s future. We get to understand how local democracy plays out in the Council Chamber.

There are plenty of surprises to uncover including unusual wartime roles for the building. Finally, we step out into Chamberlain Square to discover even more about the Victorian ideals and today's city around the Chamberlain Memorial Fountain and the modernity of the Paradise development.

Our tour is conducted by Jonathan Berg, whose book Birmingham's Public Art was published on 1st November 2023..... Jonathan believes a walking tour should be fun, educational, memorable and inclusive – so expect to be entertained. We had great feedback from the last walks that he did for us.

Start: : We meet outside the Council House Main Entrance in the centre of Victoria Square.

Finish : Chamberlain Square close to the fountain.

Additional: Our guide uses a live audio system so you can hear every word. Please bring a pair of headphones with a 3.5 mm jack (if not our guide will provide a new pair for you for a donation to the charity SIFA Fireside).

Photography: There are no restrictions on photography inside the building during the tour. Photos by us taken during our tours may be used for promotional purposes.

Lord Mayor's Charity: On this tour Positively Birmingham will be making a donation to the Lord Mayor's Charity based on ticket sales and also any donations made by guests at tour end

Please note that this will not be a Spice exclusive tour.