West Midlands Police Museum

About the museum

The museum grew out of a collection of objects gathered inside Birmingham City Police, an idea first developed by Detective Sergeant Charlie Elworthy while he served at the force training school. In the 1990s the collection was housed at Sparkhill police station, where a police constable ran it and started a programme for school groups. When Sparkhill station was sold in 2015 after budget cuts, the collection needed a new home, and in 2017 volunteers proposed the Victorian lock-up at Steelhouse Lane.

The lock-up was built as part of the works for the Victoria Law Courts, which began in 1886 after Birmingham gained assize town status. It opened in 1891 with around 70 cells on three floors and a tunnel that let prisoners walk directly to the courts. Most prisoners stayed less than 24 hours before appearing in court. The building stayed in use as a custody facility until 2016 and now has Grade II listed status.

A National Lottery funding bid succeeded in March 2020. Refurbishment was delayed by the pandemic, restarted in March 2021 and finished in March 2022. The works added two stairwells, a lift, an accessible side entrance and a new roof with automatic vents, and uncovered an original window. The museum opened to the public in its new home in April 2022. Four of the cells keep their original porcelain toilets and glass windows above the doors.

Highlights

• Victorian police cells on three floors in the original 1891 lock-up
• Cells that still have their original porcelain toilets and glass door-top windows
• Basement kitchen with its original dumbwaiter
• Free digital audio tour with QR codes on each floor
• Accessible interactive soundscape on the ground floor

Operated by

West Midlands Police

Admission & discounts

Tickets are for a self-guided visit and can be bought online. Guided tours can be arranged for groups.

Accessibility

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

The main entrance has three steps; a level-access entrance is on the side of the building in Coleridge Passage (call a staff member by intercom). A lift serves the basement and first floor. Some landings are narrow and many cell doorways average 660mm; mobility scooters cannot be taken inside. An induction hearing loop is installed at reception. Assistance animals are welcome. Audio tours are available via QR codes, the website or a Spotify playlist, and tablets can be borrowed. Audio-described and British Sign Language tours can be requested. Relaxed visits are offered, and free SEND backpacks can be borrowed. The nearest Changing Places toilets are at Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham New Street station and Bullring Grand Central.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Baby changing facilities

Family tickets are available. Interactive sessions and trails run during special events and school holidays. Online games and learning resources for children are on the website. The accessible toilet on the ground floor has baby-changing facilities; breastfeeding is allowed throughout the museum.

Getting there & parking

Birmingham city centre is a Clean Air Zone, so check whether your vehicle is charged.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available

Small café with hot and cold drinks and snacks. There is no cloakroom; large bags and wheeled suitcases are not allowed and bags may be searched. Pushchairs can be left in the shop at the visitor's own risk.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Hire options include corporate hire, celebration hire (such as birthdays, retirement parties and Christmas parties), ghost hunts, filming and photography, and sleepovers. Capacities are not published.

Plan your visit