Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
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Unlocking Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Ingeborg EdwardsIngeborg Edwards
451
Our recent visit to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery (BMAG) was a delightful and enriching experience for my family. Located in the heart of Birmingham, this museum offers a diverse range of exhibits, from fine art to ancient artefacts. Here’s a detailed review of our visit: Arrival and First Impressions Upon arriving at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the impressive neoclassical facade of the building set a grand tone for our visit. The museum is conveniently located in the city center, making it easy to access and a prominent landmark in Birmingham’s cultural landscape. Exploring the Museum 1. Entrance and Initial Impressions The museum’s entrance is welcoming, and the grand interior with its high ceilings and ornate architecture immediately captures your attention. The main atrium provides a spacious and airy feel, setting the stage for our exploration. 2. Art Collections The art galleries were a highlight of our visit. BMAG houses an extensive collection of paintings, including works by renowned artists such as Edward Burne-Jones and Pre-Raphaelite masters. The artwork is well-displayed, and the museum’s layout allows for a leisurely and immersive experience. We particularly enjoyed the variety of styles and periods represented, from classical to modern art. 3. Ancient Artefacts The museum’s collection of ancient artefacts, including Egyptian mummies and Roman relics, provided a fascinating glimpse into the past. The exhibits are well-curated and informative, with detailed descriptions that helped us understand the historical context and significance of the artefacts. 4. Historical Exhibits BMAG offers a diverse range of historical exhibits, including local history and industrial heritage. The displays on Birmingham’s development during the Industrial Revolution were particularly interesting, offering insights into the city’s evolution and its role in shaping modern industry. 5. Interactive and Family-Friendly Features The museum is well-suited for families, with interactive exhibits and activities designed to engage children. The hands-on activities and educational displays were a hit with our kids, making the visit both fun and informative. The museum’s layout is easy to navigate, and the various exhibits cater to different interests and age groups. Visitor Experience 1. Facilities The museum offers excellent facilities, including clean restrooms, a café, and a gift shop. The café provided a nice break during our visit, offering a range of snacks and refreshments. The gift shop had a selection of souvenirs and educational materials that our children enjoyed exploring. 2. Staff and Services The staff at BMAG were friendly and knowledgeable, providing helpful information about the exhibits and ensuring a smooth visitor experience. The museum also offers guided tours and educational programs, which we found to be valuable additions to our visit. 3. Accessibility The museum is accessible, with ramps and elevators available for those with mobility issues. The layout is spacious, making it easy to move around and explore the exhibits comfortably. Family-Friendly Aspects Visiting BMAG was a rewarding experience for our entire family. The diverse range of exhibits kept everyone engaged, and the interactive elements ensured that the kids were entertained. The museum’s focus on education and engagement made it an enriching experience for all of us. Educational Value: The museum offered a wealth of knowledge about art, history, and culture. The informative exhibits and interactive features provided a valuable learning experience for our children, sparking their curiosity and interest. Conclusion Whether you’re an art enthusiast, history buff, or simply looking for a fun and educational outing, BMAG is a fantastic destination. It left a lasting impression on our family, providing both cultural enrichment and enjoyable moments together.
Adhvaidh SkAdhvaidh Sk
10
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery (BM&AG) is a museum and art gallery in Birmingham, England. It has a collection of international importance covering fine art, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery, natural history, archaeology, ethnography, local history and industrial history. The museum/gallery is run by Birmingham Museums Trust, the largest independent museums trust in the United Kingdom, which also runs eight other museums around the city. Entrance to the Museum and Art Gallery is free, but some major exhibitions in the Gas Hall incur an entrance fee. The collection of antiquities includes coins from ancient times through to the Middle Ages, artefacts from Ancient India and Central Asia, Ancient Cyprus and Ancient Egypt. There is material from Classical Greece, the Roman Empire and Latin America. There is also mediaeval material, much of which is now on display in The Birmingham History Galleries, a permanent exhibition on the third floor of the museum. In November 2014 a dedicated gallery was opened to display the Staffordshire Hoard. Discovered in the nearby village of Hammerwich in 2009 it is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found. In respect of local and industrial history, the tower of the Birmingham HP Sauce factory was a famous landmark alongside the Aston Expressway which was demolished in the summer of 2007. The giant logo from the top of the tower is now in the collection of the Museum.
Ngo Hai AnhNgo Hai Anh
90
I love bringing my children here, there's so much to see and it's free. So interesting to see the cultures and civilisations of the past. Paintings and artifacts from all over the world and from many different periods up until the modern day. I love learning about Birmingham's past and I'm so glad the museum doesn't neglect this. Some really interesting instalments here and displays that engage the children too. After traipsing all over the Ancient world, examining the curiosities on display, you must navigate the giftshop (which has to be one of the most relevant and delightful giftshops I've encountered). You'll find inexpensive treasures as well as more pricey gifts (I've got my eye on the saxon helmet with matching shield, but then I'd have to share it). Finally, you'll need a cuppa to digest all that you've learned. Thankfully the museum has the best teashop in town, the Edwardian tea house. Treat yourself to afternoon tea (choose the Earl Grey tea, it's gorgeous). There's a little play area just at the entrance where you could sit and watch the little ones while you rest your weary feet. This place is amazing and still free for everyone, so do consider spending some money in the gift shop or tea room, or perhaps a small donation, if you want to show your appreciation.
sarah Cumlinsarah Cumlin
00
Despite all the building work that is currently taking place nearby in central Birmingham, the city's Museum and Art Gallery is open for business as usual and is a great place to spend a few hours learning about the history of this iconic, industrial and manufacturing hub of the West Midlands. The 20th century ceramics gallery was a particular favourite during my most recent visit, as well as the local history spaces featuring contemporary photographs and fine art illustrative of the diverse demography and migration history of Birmingham's multicultural urban population. The art and technology exhibition (titled, "I Want! I Want!") on the ground floor was also very engaging, with highly innovative installations and computer-generated graphic designs by Julian Opie, Eddie Kamuanga Illunga, and many other famous contemporary artists. A room devoted to the celebrated (and internationally renowned) fine art photography and photojournalism of Dr Vanley Burke is what this museum & gallery service need to invest in and implement in the very near future.
Carol Ann DixonCarol Ann Dixon
00
When in Birmingham City Centre recently I popped into the Museum to see an exhibition that had been discussed on radio. Great exhibit but far too small on weather British Empire was a good thing or not. Depends on which side of the Empire you were on I suppose. It was certainly good for the tiny little island of GB. Would have liked to have seen more material as what was exhibited was thought provoking. Access is easy once you find the access point with all the building work going on around the Museum. There is a lift at street level for those with disabilities. There are also two cafes in site, the lively Tearooms and a smaller white cube affair. Good range of snacks and meals. The gift shop is lovely and has a lot of products, including books on Birmingham. I didn’t feel the vibrancy that I feel in anyone of the London or Manchester museums.
Mal333Mal333
20
Nearby Attractions Of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
Primark
Birmingham Hippodrome
Mailbox Birmingham
Symphony Hall
Selfridges Birmingham
easyHotel Birmingham City Centre
The Arcadian
The Alexandra
Martineau Place

National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
4.2
(6K)Click for details

Primark
4.2
(5.2K)Click for details

Birmingham Hippodrome
4.7
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Mailbox Birmingham
4.4
(3.4K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Turtle Bay Birmingham
Dishoom Birmingham
Turtle Bay Brindleyplace Birmingham
The Square Peg - JD Wetherspoon
O2 Academy Birmingham
Pitcher & Piano Birmingham
Ming Moon Buffet & Karaoke
Haidilao Hotpot Birmingham (next to St. Martin's)
The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, Birmingham
The Botanist Gas Street Basin

Turtle Bay Birmingham
4.7
(6.1K)Click for details

Dishoom Birmingham
4.8
(3.4K)$$
Click for details

Turtle Bay Brindleyplace Birmingham
4.8
(3.3K)Click for details

The Square Peg - JD Wetherspoon
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Basic Info
Address
Chamberlain Sq, Birmingham B3 3DH, United Kingdom
Map
Phone
+44 121 348 8000
Call
Website
birminghammuseums.org.uk
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(3.8K reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is a museum and art gallery in Birmingham, England. It has a collection of international importance covering fine art, ceramics, metalwork, jewellery, natural history, archaeology, ethnography, local history and industrial history.
attractions: National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, Primark, Birmingham Hippodrome, Mailbox Birmingham, Symphony Hall, Selfridges Birmingham, easyHotel Birmingham City Centre, The Arcadian, The Alexandra, Martineau Place, restaurants: Turtle Bay Birmingham, Dishoom Birmingham, Turtle Bay Brindleyplace Birmingham, The Square Peg - JD Wetherspoon, O2 Academy Birmingham, Pitcher & Piano Birmingham, Ming Moon Buffet & Karaoke, Haidilao Hotpot Birmingham (next to St. Martin's), The Old Joint Stock Pub & Theatre, Birmingham, The Botanist Gas Street Basin
