Come and explore our policing history
It’s a great day out for all, so come join us and be part of policing history at our very own Victorian lock-up.
We’re open Wednesday – Saturday from 10am to 4pm* with exceptions**, and Sunday 11am to 4pm with exceptions*. Please check dates we are closed below.
**We are closed to the public for events or private group, school or corporate bookings on:
- Wednesday 6th August 2025
- Sunday 7th September 2025
- Thursday 11th September 2025
- Sunday 21st September 2025 (Macabre Museum event – no general admissions)
- Friday 3rd October 2025
- Saturday 8th November 2025 (Remembrance event – no general admissions)
- Friday 21st November 2025
* Last entry is at 2pm as we recommend 2 hours for your visit.
Tickets purchased are for a self guided tour of the museum. If you would like a tour, please look at our whats on section. Guided tours can be arranged for group visits
View our booking terms and conditions.
See our frequently asked questions.
Upcoming Events
An Evening With George Bakewell
Join us for an evening as local historian Adam Wood brings to life the true story of George Bakewell. Adapted from George’s actual accounts of his time policing Birmingham in the mid 19th century, Adam has taken the source material to create an arresting performance as he recounts the tales of what it was like …
Date: 12th September 2026
Time: Doors open at 18:30 for a 19:00 start
Tickets: £15pp
Birmingham Heritage Week 2026 – Stores Tour
On this special tour, our Museum Manager and fantastic museum volunteers will take you behind the scenes. Delve into our archives and see some of the oldest and most precious objects the museum cares for. This includes some of the very earliest mugshots taken in the UK, criminal records going back over 150 years (including members of some notorious 19th century gangs) and some of the more delicate items that are unsuitable to be on display.
Date: 15th September 2026
Time: Tours run at 11:00, 12:30 and 14:00
Tickets: Free
Murder Most Foul, the Memories of a Murder Investigator
Retired Detective Sergeant James McManus joins us for an evening reflecting on his 30+ years in the West Midlands Police Force – recalling interesting characters, bizarre happenings, and some of his most memorable cases during his year in the Criminal Investigation Department. Joining in the 1960’s James shares his experience of how the force, technology, …
Date: 16th September 2026
Time: Talk begins at 18:30, doors open at 18:15
Tickets: £10.00
SOLD OUT! Birmingham’s Victorian Murder Mile
Join crime and policing historian Adam Wood for this walking tour to hear gruesome tales of Birmingham’s Victorian past. We meet at the Lock-Up, before we head out for a walking tour with Adam to visit the sites where dark deeds were committed, revealing some of Birmingham’s horrible history, featuring bad people who were detained …
Date: 17th September 2026
Time: Tour starts at 18:30, please meet at the museum entrance.
Tickets: £12.00pp
The Murder of Michael O’Sullivan
The year is 1891 and we ask you to join us on Friday 18th September for our Victorian inspired murder mystery night, The Murder of Michael O’Sullivan Fancy your chances as a detective or know someone who thinks they are the next Sherlock Holmes? If so, then come join us after hours in the atmospheric …
Date: 18th September 2026
Time: Doors open at 18:15 for a 18:30 start
Tickets: £24.00
Birmingham Comedy Festival Presents: Laurel and Hardy: Make Music
Birmingham Comedy Festival presents:
Laurel and Hardy Make Music
Three classic black and white comedies featuring the greatest double-act of all time, Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy – including Below Zero, rarely seen early silent You’re Darn Tootin’ and their iconic 1932 Oscar-winning landmark, The Music Box.
Birmingham Comedy Festival
Friday 2 to Sunday 11 October 2026
www.bhamcomfest.co.uk
Date: 9th October 2026
Time: Doors open at 18:30, show starts at 19:00
Tickets: £11.00
Scary Tales: Witches on Trial
Following the successful sentencing of the Big Bad Wolf during our Nursery Crimes trials, we’re back with more creepy creatures in court!
Bring your grown ups to trial as we discover the witches living amongst us! You are the jury and key witnesses to proving whether your adults have been acting suspicious and have secretly been living a double life as witches all along!
This Halloween activity is included in museum entry between the 28th – 31st October.
Spaces are not pre-bookable, simply arrive at the museum and head to our makeshift courtroom at 11am or 1pm
Date: 28th October 2026
Time: 11am and 1pm, Wednesday - Saturday during October half-term
Tickets: Free - included in museum entry.