Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Birmingham · United Kingdom · Founded 1885
Quick answer
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1885 inside the Council House, a confident statement of civic ambition. Open Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Admission: free standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Admission | Free standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Weekday mornings when galleries are open — quieter than weekend afternoons. |
| Getting there | Train: Birmingham New Street station — 5-minute walk to Chamberlain Square |
| Address | Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH, United Kingdom |
| Official website | birminghammuseums.org.uk |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery known for?
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery occupies a Victorian civic building on Chamberlain Square in the heart of England's second city. Founded in 1885, it grew into one of the finest regional collections in Britain, especially celebrated for its holdings of Pre-Raphaelite painting and Birmingham School metalwork.
The Pre-Raphaelite galleries bring together works by Edward Burne-Jones, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown, and John Everett Millais — artists closely linked to the city through its industrial patronage and progressive arts culture. Burne-Jones, who was born in Birmingham, is represented by major paintings and stained-glass designs.
Beyond painting, the museum holds the Staffordshire Hoard — the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found — along with Egyptian mummies, Baroque silver, and a strong collection of twentieth-century British art. The building itself, designed by Yeoville Thomason, is a landmark of High Victorian architecture.
The museum has undergone phased reopening after building works; check the official site for which galleries are currently accessible. When fully open, it remains free to the permanent collection, making it one of the best-value art visits in the Midlands.
Best for: Art Lovers · History Enthusiasts · Families
How long do you need at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Star of Bethlehem
📍 Pre-Raphaelite Gallery
A monumental watercolour showing the Adoration of the Magi, commissioned for the Birmingham School of Art.
- 2
Proserpine
📍 Pre-Raphaelite Gallery
Rossetti's haunting portrait of the goddess of the underworld, painted in his characteristic jewel-toned palette with model Jane Morris.
- 3
Staffordshire Hoard
📍 Staffordshire Hoard Gallery
More than 3,500 items of garnet-inlaid sword fittings and gold objects from the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, discovered near Hammerwich in 2009.
- 4
The Dryad
📍 Pre-Raphaelite Gallery
A graceful figure study in tempera showing Burne-Jones's debt to Italian Renaissance painting and his ethereal approach to the female form.
What are the must-see works at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Star of Bethlehem, Proserpine, Staffordshire Hoard and more.
The Star of Bethlehem
Edward Burne-Jones · 1887–1891
📍 Pre-Raphaelite Gallery
A monumental watercolour showing the Adoration of the Magi, commissioned for the Birmingham School of Art. Among Burne-Jones's most ambitious narrative works.
Proserpine
Dante Gabriel Rossetti · 1874
📍 Pre-Raphaelite Gallery
Rossetti's haunting portrait of the goddess of the underworld, painted in his characteristic jewel-toned palette with model Jane Morris.
Staffordshire Hoard
Anglo-Saxon craftsmen · 7th century
📍 Staffordshire Hoard Gallery
More than 3,500 items of garnet-inlaid sword fittings and gold objects from the early Anglo-Saxon kingdoms, discovered near Hammerwich in 2009.
The Dryad
Edward Burne-Jones · 1880
📍 Pre-Raphaelite Gallery
A graceful figure study in tempera showing Burne-Jones's debt to Italian Renaissance painting and his ethereal approach to the female form.
Collections and highlights
- • Pre-Raphaelite and Birmingham School painting
- • Staffordshire Hoard Anglo-Saxon gold
- • Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern antiquities
- • Baroque and eighteenth-century European art
- • Birmingham metalwork and industrial design
- • Twentieth-century British painting and sculpture
- • Prints, drawings, and watercolours
- • Applied arts and ceramics
Tips for visiting Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
- 1.
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings when galleries are open — quieter than weekend afternoons.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate on weekends; Pre-Raphaelite rooms draw the most visitors.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
Free admission to the permanent collection; some special exhibitions are ticketed.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Selfridges food hall and cafés on New Street; numerous restaurants in the city centre.
- 5.
Accessibility
Lift access to most floors; check current gallery closures before visiting.
How do you get to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery?
- train Birmingham New Street station — 5-minute walk to Chamberlain Square
- metro West Midlands Metro to Library tram stop, adjacent to the museum
- walk Central location in the city centre, near Town Hall and Victoria Square
Address: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH, United Kingdom
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery: frequently asked questions
Is the museum currently open?
Several galleries are open during a phased reopening — check the official site for the latest schedule.
What is the Staffordshire Hoard?
A hoard of nearly 4,000 gold and silver Anglo-Saxon items discovered in 2009.
How long should I spend at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Our 4-stop route — The Star of Bethlehem, Proserpine, Staffordshire Hoard and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery best known for?
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery opened in 1885 inside the Council House, a confident statement of civic ambition. The galleries surround the Round Room with its monumental sculpture. Key highlights include Staffordshire Hoard Anglo-Saxon gold, The Last of England by Madox Brown, Round Room sculpture display.
How do I get tickets for Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery?
Free standard admission. You can walk in without a ticket; paid exhibitions are booked separately. Official site: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag
Is the Staffordshire Hoard permanently on display?
Key pieces from the hoard are on permanent display, though individual items may rotate. The dedicated gallery explains the hoard's discovery and Anglo-Saxon context.
Which galleries are currently open?
The museum has been reopening in phases after refurbishment. Check birminghammuseums.org.uk for the latest gallery schedule before planning your visit.
Can I combine this with other Birmingham museums?
Yes — the Thinktank science museum and Birmingham Museum Collection Centre are managed by the same trust, though they are at separate locations.
What are Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery's opening hours?
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is open Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery free to visit?
Yes — free standard admission.