Best Museums in Birmingham

We are not short of inspiring museums and galleries in the UK, and Birmingham is no exception. There are many spaces throughout the city that help us better understand the history of the area and beyond. They also allow us to marvel at people’s creativity through their artwork.  

Come along with CrossCountry to explore the best museums in Birmingham and get lost in a world of ancient history and breathtaking artwork.

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery

Right in the centre of Birmingham is one of the most recognisable museums in the city, the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. This Grade II listed building is sure to catch the eye of any passer-by, drawing them to its majestic Victorian architecture. Inside, you’ll be met with a similar grand design, with the Round Room introducing you to some breathtaking permanent art displays.

The space acts as both a museum and gallery, meaning there is always plenty to discover. New and exciting exhibitions come and go throughout the year, including the triumphant ‘I photograph comedians!’ exhibition by Alan Hollingworth that ran from February to May 2026.

There is a space within the museum dedicated to the city and its people. It walks visitors through Birmingham’s extensive history dating back to the 12th century. As for permanent galleries, there are four that are dedicated to the pre-Raphaelites, which feature over sixty paintings and sculptures. This makes it the largest pre-Raphaelite collection of any gallery in the world.

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is easily accessible from Birmingham New Street, as it is central to the city and is only a seven-minute walk. Admission is free, making this an excellent option for a budget-friendly day out in Birmingham. 

Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum

Another popular museum in the heart of the city is Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. This award-winning museum is one of our favourite science museums in the UK and is designed for an action-packed family day out, with a wide selection of exhibitions aimed at all ages.

Thinktank’s mission is to nurture curiosity, allowing visitors of all ages to ask their wildest questions like “what links a car and a cow?” in the ‘We Made It’ exhibition, or “what is the largest mammal under the sea?” in the ‘Wild Life and Marine Worlds’ exhibition.

The Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum is less than a fifteen-minute walk from Birmingham New Street. If you’d like to learn more, check out our article on how to catch a train to Thinktank Birmingham.

Black Country Living Museum

The Black Country Living Museum is located on the outskirts of Birmingham in Dudley, which is easily accessible from New Street station. It captures everyday domestic and working life during the area's industrial heyday, spanning from the Victorian era up to 1968, when the closure of Baggeridge Colliery catalysed efforts to preserve the Black Country's disappearing heritage.

The museum explores more than 250 years of history, with over eighty reconstructed shops, houses, and workshops with characters telling their own stories of what it was like to live in the area and how life changed over the centuries.