UK’s top ‘hidden gem’ attraction is tucked away in Birmingham

Tripadvisor is a great resource to help plan holidays and days out, and now data compiled from the travel review website has revealed the UK’s “top hidden gem”. The data, gathered by the travel experts at Bounce who analysed Tripadvisor reviews, found that a tiny museum tucked away in Birmingham is considered to be the UK’s number one “hidden gem” and according to reviews, visitors “love it”.

Scoring a full five out of a potential five stars on Tripadvisor, Birmingham Back to Backs is a National Trust owned museum which is located in a group of terraced houses built, quite literally, back-to-back around a central courtyard.

The museum explores 200 years of working people’s lives in the city through the carefully restored court of houses. The museum gives a glimpse into what everyday life was like for local Birmingham folk working in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Visitors can explore through the front door and up the steep winding staircases of these homes, with the option to go with a tour guide for a full breakdown of the history hidden within.

National Trust explains: “Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these small houses to live and work.

“With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.”

One recent visitor to the museum, who visited just this month, reviewed their experience on Tripadvisor saying: “Fantastic insight into the social history of Birmingham. Our guide Dave really was brilliant with lived experience of the back to backs he really brought it to life. Absolutely loved it.” [SIC]

Another visitor, who also headed along to the Birmingham Back to Backs in March, described it as an “Extraordinary experience”.

They wrote: “I don’t normally go in for guided tours, however, this was necessary to get the best experience. You are taken around in a small group of around eight people.

“Our guide, Pat, was a fountain of knowledge and kept us very entertained with lots of stories and visual examples of what living in the 1800s right through to 1970s would have been like.

“The visit comprised three back to back houses and set out how it would have looked in these times.”

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, and is closed on Sundays.

As the property is owned by National Trust, it is free to visit for members. However prices vary for those who do not have a National Trust membership. Adult tickets start from £9.00 while children can visit from £4.50. Family tickets start from £13.50.

If you would like a guided tour of the property, tickets are more expensive and there is also the option to add gift aid onto your ticket.