Join us for a fun-filled day at the Museum Collection Centre, Birmingham Museums’ 1.5-hectare store, holding over 80% of the City’s collection all under one roof.

Come and take part in a full day of family friendly activities all while exploring our artefact-packed warehouse. Have a chance to take part in:

• Free guided talks
• Meet the experts
• See our Museum in a Box collections
• Family trails

There will also be free live music played throughout the day courtesy of the Birmingham Conservatoire.  

We also have special behind the scenes Natural History Tour with our curator of natural science, Lukas Large (extra cost involved). Learn about the amazing range of objects from ants to Zebra Finches and the people who collected them. Highlights include the Chase collection of British bird dioramas, preserved insects from around the world, the herbarium containing pressed plants, moss and lichens and the bones of extinct birds. Tours are at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm and last approx. 30mins. Tickets are £3.50per person (in addition to the entry fee) and must be booked in advance. 

You are also free to simply have a wander around at your leisure and explore a contrasting mix of objects, many of which offer a real insight into life in Birmingham and the West Midlands over the centuries. Amongst the hundreds of thousands of objects, you will see steam engines, sculptures, giant spider crabs, even the kitchen sink. 

The behind-the-scenes atmosphere at the Museum Collection Centre makes it an intriguing place to explore and discover more about museum stores and object stories.

We have refreshments available to purchase plus you are welcome to bring your own food to eat in our outdoor seating area too.

Event information

• This event will take place at the Museum Collection Centre, 25 Dollman Street, Nechells, B7 4RP.
• There is free on-street parking surrounding the Museum Collection Centre, this is very limited and is first come, first served.
• There are public transport routes available (see how to get here for more details).
• Timed entry to the event from 10am-12noon, 12noon-2pm and 2pm-4pm (last entry 3pm). For each time slot you can stay until 4pm.
• Your ticket allows you to explore the collection centre at your own leisure.  
• The natural history tour will take place at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm and is an added extra.
• Larger bags / rucksacks are not permitted within the warehouse. There is a limited amount of lockers available.
• Warm clothes are recommended, and sensible footwear is essential.

Pre-booking recommended for the event. Limited walk-up tickets available - these are first-come, first-served. This event is cashless.

Pre-booking essential for the tour. When you book your event ticket, you'll have the option to book a Natural History tour ticket on the next webpage.

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