Birmingham Council House Tour
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
We step inside one of Birmingham’s most important Victorian buildings on this guided tour of the Birmingham's Council House.
Discover how the city has been run for over 140 years as your guide brings its architecture, people and municipal government to life. The tour gives rare access to key rooms, including the Council Chamber, this tour offers a clear and engaging insight into Birmingham’s civic past and present.
Highlights
1½-hour guided tour of the Birmingham Council House.
Visit the Council Chamber and selected historic rooms.
Learn how local government has shaped the city, then and now.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
At the heart of Victoria Square stands Birmingham's Council House, one of Birmingham’s finest Victorian buildings and still the seat of local government today. Built from 1874 and opened in 1879 during the era of Joseph Chamberlain, it remains a powerful symbol of the city’s civic life and the reminds us of Birmingham's role in preaching the civic gospel as part of the municipal revolution. The guided tour begins outside the main entrance, introducing the building’s history, architecture and role in Birmingham’s development. Inside, you’ll climb the grand staircase past statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, beneath an impressive dome. You’ll visit a selection of historic rooms and get to sit in the Council Chamber itself. We look at how local democracy has evolved. The tour concludes in the courtyard, uncovering the building’s lesser-known wartime role. This visit offers rare access to a working civic building and a clear insight into Birmingham’s past and present.
What‘s Included
Copy of tour guide; 'Discovering Birmingham' may be available for a charity donation
Audio System to Hear the Guide
Earphones with 3.5mm jack OR we provide a new pair for as donation
Options
Birmingham Council House Tour
Reviews
6 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
What an insight to the political workings of Birmingham!
inca-ruins,,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had the tour of the council house yesterday with Jonathon and his lovely assistant Gemma, and I must say we had a lovely experience. Jonathon is very passionate about all things Birmingham, and his knowledge paired with his banter made the tour very interesting! Definitely recommend this tour to all 👌🏽
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Exceptional Insight into Birmingham’s Civic Heart
ritasV6132BE,,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our group recently had the privilege of experiencing the Birmingham Council House Tour, and it exceeded expectations on every level. As a private group to take part in this newly designed tour, we were given a rich, engaging, and thoughtfully delivered insight into the history, architecture, and civic significance of this remarkable building. Jonathan’s knowledge is outstanding, not just in terms of historical facts, but in the way he connects Birmingham’s past to its present identity.We also appreciated that the tour supports local charity work, raising funds for Sifa Fireside, a meaningful reminder of Birmingham’s community spirit. If you live in Birmingham, think you know the city, or are simply curious about how civic leadership works behind the scenes, this tour is a must. Educational, inspiring, and professionally delivered. The tour strikes the perfect balance between heritage, storytelling, and civic education. The opportunity to observe part of a live council meeting was particularly powerful. It transformed the experience from simply “seeing a building” to truly understanding how local democracy operates in practice. The Council House itself is stunning,from its grand interiors to the fine architectural details, but what made the experience exceptional was the delivery. It was informative without being overwhelming, engaging without being theatrical, and genuinely inspiring. Highly recommended.
Birmingham Council House tour
platpeeps54,,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jonathan's newest guided walk is really "ab fab!" and not to be missed. It's a fascinating 1.5 hours walk through the "corridors of power" which is Birmingham City Council and takes through parts of the building that most people wouldn't normally get to see. Jonathan also gives us a wonderful history of the building, from its beginnings in the late 1800s to the present day! This guided walk is highly recommended! Thanks for a great morning, Jonathan!
Birmingham Council House
janetsR6509XA,,Mar 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent tour with a knowledgeable guide, Jonathan, who highlighted the splendid architecture of this Victorian building and its interior. There are fine examples of the art and fixtures of the period of its construction and panels detailing those given the freedom of the city and those serving as mayor of the city since the latter part of the 19th century. Jonathan emphasised the close relationship between the Council House and Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, sited behind it. A highlight of the tour was visiting the glass corridor, which links the two buildings at first floor level. Another was being able to view the Council Chamber. A really interesting experience.
A very special insightful tour of one of Birmingham's principal buildings.
Staffshire,,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Another absolutely splendid tour by Jonathan Berg, a passionate and enthusiastic advocate for everything that Birmingham has to offer. We have been privileged to enjoy each of the Positively Birmingham walking tours and how fitting that the tenth anniversary of these insightful presentations should be marked with a brand new tour of one of the city's principal buildings. As ever, Jonathan regaled us with the history and design of the building from the outside and then proceeded to take us into the artistically captivating but hugely functional interior. Here he energetically and candidly told us about much of the work of the council and, more importantly, the people that are recognised within the building by name, illustration or sculpture as well as pointing out a multitude of interesting features in each of the many rooms we visited which included: the entrance hall and grand staircase, the glass/mirrored corridor, the council chamber, the banqueting hall, the mayor's office and, something of an unexpected surprise, a historic mortuary! A dozen or so photographs will hopefully serve to entice others to embark upon this very special tour to learn as much as we did and possibly more. Thank you to Jonathan and Gemma again for looking after us. I'm sure that everyone from Joseph Chamberlain to Ozzy Osbourne would have been delighted with the job you did today.
A rare and enjoyable exploration of Birmingham Council House
ChrisL01,,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an interesting and enjoyable couple of hours we spent this morning, exploring our city Council House with Jonathan's knowledge and wit. It was fascinating to climb the imposing staircase and to look up at the ornate dome (which can easily be missed when viewing the building from the square outside). Highlights of the tour, for us, were the glass corridor and the council chamber. Jonathan's enthusiasm was infectious and entertaining, he gave historical background of Victorian Birmingham with a detailed reference to Joseph Chamberlain amongst many other things. Jonathan's reference to the use of the council building during the second World War was fascinating. We always enjoy your tours Jonathan and we thoroughly recommend your newest tour of the Council House. Thank you.
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Operated by Positively Birmingham Walking Tours