West Midlands Police Museum
Birmingham, West Midlands
Birmingham’s West Midlands Police Museum provides an educational and entertaining insight into local policing history through interactive exhibits. Dress up in police uniforms, enter a forensics lab, and see what life was like for inmates in the Victorian-era cell block, operational until 2016. Fans of Peaky Blinders will especially enjoy seeing where the characters may have ended up.
The basics
The West Midlands Police Museum is a fun, family-friendly destination that celebrates and explores the work of the local police force. Most people visit independently, but a number of crime-themed walking tours of the city pass by the attraction, particularly those that reference the popular BBC drama Peaky Blinders, which was set in Birmingham. Guided tours can be arranged for groups, and the museum sometimes hosts special guided events throughout the year.
Things to know before you go
- Allow about two hours for your visit.
- The museum is mostly accessible to wheelchair users, but some corridors are narrow. It’s not accessible to mobility scooter users.
- Buying tickets online in advance is highly recommended, especially for weekend or summertime visits, when the museum welcomes a larger number of visitors. Tickets are allocated to a specific time slot.
How to get there
Located in central Birmingham, the West Midlands Police Museum is easy to reach from other parts of the city. There are bus and metro (light rail/tram) stops and train stations a short walk away. You can park at paid parking lots nearby, but given the fact that Birmingham city center is a Clean Air Zone, it’s a good idea to leave the car behind if you can.
When to get there
The museum is generally open Wednesday through Sunday, from mid-morning until late afternoon, with a later opening time on Sundays. It’s closed to the public on several of its normal opening days throughout May, June, July, and September. Check the museum’s website to ensure it’s open when you want to visit.
Visit London’s Metropolitan Police Museum
If you’re interested in British policing history and plan to include London on your England itinerary, check out the Metropolitan Police Museum. The historical museum houses a large collection of artifacts and documents, some of which date back to the formation of the police force in 1829. Visits are by appointment only.
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