The city’s popular annual Heritage Week is back in 2025 with the support of the Birmingham Museum Trust, the University of Birmingham and the National Trust, as well as Birmingham City Charity and the William A. Cadbury Charitable Trust. To find out what it is, why it has been paused and what will happen next, please visit birminghamski.com.
Resumption of the event
In 2025, Birmingham Heritage Week relaunched, now in its eleventh year. It is true that for some time it had been suspended, facing an uncertain future after losing financial support.13 This happened against the backdrop of the city council’s cuts to funding for cultural projects and arts development.
But in 2025, everything is back to normal, so everyone will be able to enjoy a city-wide festival in 2025. During this festival, they will have the opportunity to explore some of Birmingham’s most important industrial and cultural heritage buildings, as well as unique open-air spaces. The program promises to be very interesting.
One thing is that festival will last for 10 days already speaks volumes.13 The organisers are planning to hold more than a hundred different events, walks, and tours in Birmingham, and there are hundreds of different activities to choose from. So, hundreds of different excursions and events to choose from, what it could be, and what visitors should prepare for. And the plan is as follows: cemeteries, canal tours, visits to historic buildings, factories, museums, and religious buildings. This time, the list of religious buildings includes mosques, churches and cathedrals, as well as outdoor excursions. These will include local parks, districts and protected areas.
The organisers of the festival invite applications from organisations and interested parties to participate in advance. The application deadline is 31 July.
Grandiose plans
What other secrets have been revealed ahead of Birmingham Heritage Week? This year, over 100 organisations and societies in Birmingham, with thousands of staff and volunteers, are planning to open their doors and offer a wide variety of activities. The aim of these events is to showcase what Birmingham has, what has survived, what the city has to offer.
Everything from lectures, walks, seminars, open-air performances, tours of historic buildings and open days to cycling and running tours are being organised.20 Of course, the theme of heritage will be prevalent, so there is something for everyone. Importantly, and very interestingly, events are taking place all over Birmingham, and Heritage Week is a great opportunity to explore some of the city’s buildings and open spaces that are not usually visited for various reasons.
In addition, there will be workshops where you can learn a new skill, and maybe even pick up a new hobby for cheap. What else is important to understand before the start of all the events. It’s not just about industrial heritage or architectural monuments, it’s also about the cultural heritage of Birmingham, a city that has a lot to show for it and a lot to be proud of.
During this Week, all local establishments and spaces will want to surprise, and therefore will open their doors, hoping to inspire and impress guests with a rich history that automatically turns into heritage. As we wrote above, there are hundreds of different options, and the main thing is that you won’t miss the one that will appeal to you.
It will be interesting for everyone
Also, it should be noted that these days everyone will be interested, not just guests. After all, it often happens that locals know something about their hometowns even worse than tourists, who thoroughly study the places and cities they are going to visit before travelling. Heritage weeks like this are partly for this purpose, to engage locals with the culture of their hometowns, which they may not have the time or inspiration to do.
Sarah Wajeed and Zach Mensah, Co-Executive Directors of the Birmingham Museum Trust, said they were delighted that the Birmingham Museum Trust, the University of Birmingham, as well as the National Trust, Birmingham Municipal Charity and the William A. Cadbury Trust have all joined together this year to support Birmingham Heritage Week.
They also noted that the festival aims to celebrate and showcase Birmingham’s rich history and culture. This raises awareness not only of the importance of knowing the history and past of their city, but also promoting the importance of historic preservation. It also involves lobbying for the promotion of local heritage and its importance to Birmingham’s diverse communities.
Lauren Deer, Head of Community and Public Engagement at the University of Birmingham, confirmed that the University of Birmingham is always happy to take part in Birmingham Heritage Week, especially in the year of its 125th anniversary. The University has pledged to explore throughout the year the contribution that the University of Birmingham has made, both to the city’s heritage and directly to the people of Birmingham, over the last century and a quarter.
Lauren Deer said that Birmingham Heritage Week is a great opportunity to discover those hidden historical gems that are being talked about and told in different communities that have made this city a unique place to be proud of. Especially knowing that you are part of that history. And Tom Grosvenor, Senior Project Manager at the National Endowment, said that Birmingham has a very fascinating and interesting and diverse history that inspires learning from its examples. That is why, according to Tom Grosvenor, Birmingham Heritage Week is so important.
Tom adds that the festival provides a fantastic opportunity to come together with friends and family to celebrate certain events, to share stories that you know but your friends may not, especially those that have shaped the city. Tom adds that the National Endowment is pleased to support the festival, understanding its importance both for the city and for the people who live here. He describes the involvement as part of the National Trust’s ambition to help as many people as possible, both locals and visitors to Birmingham, enjoy and experience their heritage, and to encourage other organisations across the city to get involved.
Birmingham’s architectural heritage
It should also be noted that the theme of this year’s Birmingham Heritage Week is ‘Architectural Heritage’. A city like Birmingham has a lot to show and tell in this regard. For a detailed timetable of Birmingham Heritage Weeks, you should visit the websites of local cultural institutions, the Birmingham Tourist Office and the websites of heritage associations. They will provide information about the venues that are open, opening hours, topics covered, admission prices, etc. It’s worth noting that very often the entrance is free or discounted.
In general, Heritage Week is a very popular event with the active participation of the local community and volunteers. It is an opportunity to share the richness of heritage with a wide audience.
Finally, a few words about last year’s heritage festival, which was notable for its scale. Some of the highlights included the stunning Arts and Crafts House in Harborne, the Town Hall, the Exchange, Highbury Hall, Handsworth Old Town Hall, the Tudor Tradesman’s House and the Old Grammar School.
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