Birmingham and Midland Institute

The basics

Long a center for public learning, the Birmingham & Midland Institute is one of Birmingham’s cultural highlights. It’s worth just strolling by to admire its architecturally significant home, but to really make the most of the landmark, consult its programming online before your visit. The center hosts a selection of temporary exhibitions, and its regular, ticketed event series includes lectures on a range of historical, artistic, and scientific topics and hands-on workshops.

The BMI’s Library is one of its particular highlights and a major resource for academics, writers, and researchers. While paid members can access the library for no additional costs, non-members can also pay a one-time fee to browse the storied collection.

Things to know before you go

• Owing to its historic architecture, the Birmingham & Midland Institute is not readily accessible to disabled visitors.
• During your visit, head to the BMI Coffee Lounge to enjoy hot drinks and other refreshments; it’s open to the general public as well as members.
• The BMI is home to Second-Hand Prose, one of the city’s most popular second-hand bookshops.
• Tickets to the institute’s events can be purchased in advance via Eventbrite; you do not need to be a member to attend.

How to get there

The Birmingham & Midland Institute is located at 9 Margaret St. To get there via public transportation, take the West Midlands Metro tram to the Town Hall stop; Birmingham New Street, the city’s largest train station, is also 10 minutes away on foot. A range of local buses, taxis, and rideshare services are also frequent in the area.

When to get there

The Birmingham & Midland Institute is open every day except Sunday (and bank holidays), generally from morning until early evening, although it has late opening hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you wish to attend any talks or events, it’s worth consulting its calendar before you visit.

Library of Birmingham

Another of Birmingham’s most notable cultural landmarks, the Library of Birmingham is the largest public library in Europe and is known for its innovative architectural design. Located in the city center, the vast landmark is home to exhibition spaces, a cafe, and other amenities for visitors.