Birmingham Back to Backs at Christmas- Guided Tour
Overview
The Birmingham Back to Backs are Buildings frozen in time.
Today we will get 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. On our visit today the houses will be decorated for Christmas so we can get a glimpse of what the festive period would have been like for the people living in the houses.
We have three consecutive tours booked from 1.00pm as the tiny houses can only accommodate 8 visitors at a time. You will be allocated a time slot nearer the event. Each tour takes around 90 minutes with the guide, and you will explore the four buildings, which are typical back-to-back housing. This means there are eight flights of steep and narrow stairs. However, we are promised there will be plenty of recovery time between flights to rest your legs. (A ground floor only visit is available if you need this option but please do tell us when booking)
We will get the chance to see he George Saunders collection, the only collection of work by a Caribbean tailor in the UK. George operated a successful tailor's shop from the Back to Backs for many years and left some of his items to the National Trust to preserve this last living link to the houses.
We can visit Court 15 Books - Second-hand bookshop
With a range of new and used books, every penny you spend helps to preserve this unique place. You can also donate your books to support the Back to Backs.
National Trust members can go free on this one – you will need to show your card on entry.
Why not visit if you are coming into Birmingham for the Spice Christmas Party!
If you are driving into the city please remember the clean air charge is operational in Birmingham. Clean Air Zone Information
| Type | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| National Trust Member (membership card required) | £0.00 | Available |
| Member | £12.00 | Available |
| Guest | £14.00 | Available |
Not enough spaces left for you? Join the waitlist
Host & Everything Else
It exceeded my expectations and I really enjoyed it. The guide was knowledgeable and ready to answer all questions and we were never hurried. I think it was good value for money and will probably visit again in the future.
Yes another interesting bit of history which i really enjoyed, it was very worthwhile doing.
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