At the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter you can take a guided tour of a former jewelry factory and workshop, and also try your hand at jewelry making. When the Smith and Pepper manufacturing company closed in 1981 it left behind an insight into Birmingham’s jewelry-making history, an industry that still prospers. The museum opened in 1992 and has since won two awards for being the best small attraction in England.

Join a guided tour of the Smith and Pepper factory. Allow one to two hours for your visit. The tour is included with the admission fee. Admission is free for children under 16.

See the workbenches, tools and overalls used at the end of the 19th century and left abandoned after the factory’s closure. Discover 200 years of jewelry-making history at an interactive gallery, then watch live demonstrations by a trained jeweler. Visit the Earth’s Riches gallery and learn how to make jewelry from natural materials, such as whale tooth and diamond.

Find a selection of products from local craftsman at the museum shop. Admire art displays in the temporary exhibition area. Admission to the shop and temporary displays is free.

Listen to free jazz concerts in the building’s courtyard. The performances take place once a year as part of the Birmingham Jazz Festival. Throughout the year you can attend workshops during which you can try creating your own earrings and necklaces. Kids will enjoy specialized workshops designed for craft loving young folk. Check the museum’s official website for event times and prices.

Located in the Jewellery Quarter, the museum is a 20-minute walk from Birmingham’s city center. Pay-and-display parking is available nearby. Public transport, such as the train and bus, is a cheaper option.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday, and on all public holidays that fall on a Monday. Visit the museum’s official website for full details.