Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
When the proprietors of the Smith & Pepper jewellery manufacturing firm decided to retire in 1981 they ceased trading and locked the door, unaware they would be leaving a time capsule for future generations.
Tools were left strewn on benches; grubby overalls were hung on the coat hooks; and dirty teacups were abandoned alongside jars of Marmite and jam on the shelf.
In the eighty years before its closure little changed with the working practices or equipment used within the family-owned business. Even the décor had more in common with early 20th century trends than a thriving business in the early 1980s.
Today the factory is a remarkable museum, which tells the story of the Jewellery Quarter and Birmingham’s renowned jewellery and metalworking heritage.
There are live demonstrations of traditional jewellery-making skills and visitors can experience of what it was like to work in this noisy and busy workshop.
What will I see at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter?
Highlights include:
Visit to the Smith & Pepper factory by guided tour. Allow one hour for guided tour. Last tour approximately one hour before closing. The maximum number of people on each tour is 18.
The museum shop, which stocks a range of locally made designer-maker jewellery
Live demonstrations at the jeweller’s bench showing how the Smith & Pepper bangle was made
The vast array of original tools, stamps and machinery that remains inside the factory
Cafe
We are pleased to announce that we have opened the new Tearoom at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter as part of our expansion into 80 Vyse Street.
The Tearoom offers delicious sandwiches, traditional fresh cakes and a selection of hot and cold drinks. A courtyard will provide outdoor seating in the summer months.
Shop
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter supports local designer-makers stocking a range of locally made jewellery in its shop.
Giftware, museum souvenirs, beads and local interest books are also on sale.
VISITOR INFORMATION:
Admission: Free
Opening Times:
Tuesday to Saturday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Closed Sundays and Mondays
Open Bank Holiday Mondays
Getting to the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter can be found on Vyse Street, just off the A41 Great Hampton Street - a main road out of the city centre. Vyse Street has a pay and display car park for up to 559 cars. There is also street pay and display parking in this area.
Buses 16, 74, 78, 79, 101 and 8C all pass the end of Vyse Street, less than a minute's walk.
The Jewellery Quarter train and Metro tram station are also very close - just 50 metres away.
Disabled Access
Wheelchair users can access the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter by using the Branston Street entrance.
Inside the museum, a lift makes all areas accessible for wheelchairs only. Owing to space limitations in the factory area only one wheelchair can be accommodated at a time
There is no car park at the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, but there is a pay and display car park on Vyse Street for 559 cars. There is also on street pay and display car parking in this area.
Address:
Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
75-79 Vyse Street,
Hockley,
Birmingham,
B18 6HA