Selly Manor Museum

About the museum

Selly Manor is a timber-framed manor house from the late Middle Ages that was saved from demolition and moved to Bournville. It was first recorded in 1476 and was later divided into cottages, and by the 19th century it was a crowded house known as The Rookery. George Cadbury bought it in 1907 to save it. It was taken down in 1912 and rebuilt in Bournville, a work that the First World War slowed, and it opened as a museum in 1916.

The second building, Minworth Greaves, is a medieval hall of about 700 years old. It was found while searching for old timbers to replace those lost from Selly Manor, and was bought, moved and rebuilt in Bournville in 1932. Its hall now holds the reception and shop.

Laurence Cadbury began collecting antique furniture and household objects around 1908 and added to the displays for about 25 years. The Laurence Cadbury Collection is shown in the period rooms. Today the museum is run by Bournville Village Trust as a community museum, with gardens, a programme of events, activities for families and school groups, and tours of the museum and the model village of Bournville.

Highlights

• Late medieval timber-framed manor house moved to Bournville
• Minworth Greaves, a medieval hall of about 700 years old
• Laurence Cadbury Collection of antique furniture
• Replica objects to touch and smell
• Gardens and weekend tours of Bournville

Permanent exhibition

• Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves – Two relocated medieval timber-framed buildings with period rooms furnished from the Laurence Cadbury Collection.

Founded

1916

Operated by

Bournville Village Trust

Admission & discounts

Residents of Bournville Village Trust properties enter free with proof of address. Cadbury World ticket holders get 20 percent off, and Blue Peter badge holders enter free with a paying adult (not on event days). Special activities and events may carry an extra charge.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is step-free access to the Medieval Hall (reception and shop) and, by a ramp, to the ground floor, and wheelchair users are guided to an accessible entrance at the back. There is no lift because it is a historic house; upper floors are reached by stairs with handrails, and the wooden floors upstairs are uneven. A touch-screen tablet at wheelchair height shows videos of the upstairs rooms. An accessible toilet with an alarm and baby changing is available; the nearest Changing Places toilet is at Cadbury World. Chairs are in every room, magnifiers are at reception and the buildings are low-lit. Staff have Deaf awareness training. Replica objects can be touched and some smelled. Assistance dogs are welcome and a water bowl is available. Ear defenders, fidget toys and a quiet space are available on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

There are hands-on activities and trails on weekdays, in school holidays and on event days, plus under-fives sessions and birthday parties. Buggies cannot be used in the houses but can be left in the Medieval Hall. The venue is autism-friendly.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the corner of Maple Road and Sycamore Road, about 4 miles from Birmingham city centre. Sat nav postcode B30 2AE; what3words pure.round.rungs. A bike area is in the garden.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Museum shop

There is no cafe; hot drinks and snacks are sometimes served during events. Cafes are nearby on Sycamore Road and Maple Road, and visitors can picnic in the museum gardens. A small gift shop is in the Medieval Hall.

Events & venue rental

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

Up to 40 guests.

The 700-year-old hall of Minworth Greaves seats 40 theatre style or 30 banquet style, from £100 per hour including set-up. The garden can be hired on its own. Weddings have their own page.

Plan your visit