Coffin Works

About the museum

Newman Brothers was founded in 1882 by Alfred and Edwin Newman as a firm of brass founders. They first made cabinet furniture, but in 1894 they moved into the factory on Fleet Street and began to specialise in coffin furniture, the handles, plates and other fittings for coffins. The firm made fittings for funerals including those of Winston Churchill, Diana, Princess of Wales, and the Queen Mother.

The company closed in 1998, partly because of competition from abroad and a lack of modernisation. The last owner, Joyce Green, wanted the building to become a visitor attraction, and after years of work the Coffin Works opened as a museum in 2014. The Grade II* listed building was kept as it was, with original stock, tools, ledgers and machinery, so it feels like a time capsule of a Victorian and later factory.

Visitors can see the stamp room, where the loud drop stamps are demonstrated, and the casting shop, offices and warehouse. The museum is run by a charitable trust with many volunteers and has won a number of heritage awards.

Highlights

• Preserved Victorian coffin fittings factory, Grade II* listed
• Working Victorian machinery and drop stamps
• The Royal Handle and other objects in the collection
• Original stock, tools and ledgers left in place

Permanent exhibition

• Newman Brothers Coffin Works – The preserved factory with its stamp room, casting shop, offices and stock, shown on guided tours or self-guided visits.

Founded

2014

Admission & discounts

Self-guided prices shown are the standard prices; a Gift Aid price about 10 percent higher is also offered online. Art Pass holders pay half price for self-guided entry, and National Trust members get half price at the door from Friday to Sunday. A 15 percent discount applies if you visited the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter or the Pen Museum in the past week, and a 2-for-1 offer applies with a valid train ticket booked online.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A lift serves all levels, but at the time of research it was temporarily out of service. A ramp leads from the courtyard to the toilets, lift and shop; wheelchair users enter through the double gates left of the main entrance. The narrowest doorway is 27.5 inches wide. There is an accessible toilet with an alarm, hoist space and parent and child changing, and a hearing loop at the reception desk. Two Blue Badge bays are on Fleet Street. A British Sign Language and subtitled digital guide is available on an iPad (book ahead). The nearest Changing Places toilet is at the Library of Birmingham. The drop stamps are very loud; visitors are warned before they run.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities

Family tickets are available and the museum holds family events, such as Halloween activities. A parent and child changing facility is in the accessible toilet.

Getting there & parking

Street parking in the Jewellery Quarter is free after 6pm, on Sundays and on bank holidays. Bike racks are in the courtyard. What3Words: device.frosted.meals.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Casting Shop Cafe sells hot and cold drinks and pre-packed snacks. The shop sells books, gifts and sweets.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 75 guests.

The historic courtyard (standing room for 75) is hired for events, weddings, corporate and private parties and is licensed to sell alcohol. A small meeting room seats 14 and a large one seats up to 50. Filming is possible.

Plan your visit