coffin works

We were really looking forward to visiting the Coffin Works and we were not disappointed! The staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and informative and the guided tour was very interesting. There was also an interesting textile exhibition that was included in the admission price. Overall a great experience and will definitely be visiting again!

Fab experience representing some of Birminghama' proud Industrial Hetitage. Learnt lots including they decorated Winston Churchill's coffin!

I have to say the trip wasn't what I expected. If you are looking to see different coffins and think you are going to be able to get in one, then you won't get that from this attraction.The coffin works is all about the different handles and interior of the coffins and how they are made. The guides take you through and demonstrate what the staff would have had to do. On the tour you have staff who have worked in the industry who are able to tell you more about the process. It's really interesting hearing about the stories that happened at the coffin works and actually learning more about an industry I had no clue about. The staff are really friendly and as soon as you walk in make you feel very welcome and chat to everyone individually, it's nice when an attraction goes to those efforts to interact with their customers. I think what would have made things better on the tour would be some interactive exhibits or videos of people telling their stories of what life was like at the coffin works. Well worth a visit!

Friendly and enthusiastic staff. Interesting place. Lots of original coffin decorations and the machinery used to make them. Worth a visit. 5 min walk from Snow Hill Station

What an amazing little treasure. We both went not knowing quite to expect and it was brilliant. Janine our guide was informed and more than happy to answer anything she could. Not morbid, not dark really educational and I have to say one of the best museums I we have been to in years. Definitely will be going back for more. Wish every guided tour was as good as this one. Well done to everyone.

We loved this place. Learned such a lot. Well curated and staff full of enthusiasm and knowledge....Its fun don't be put off by the name/topic LOL

A brilliant place to visit! We had a guided tour by Russell and a demonstration of the machinery by Cornelius and both radiated enthusiasm and knowledge. It's a great day out for anyone interested in social history, Birmingham's past and industrial heritage. You don't need to be interested in funerals and it's not morbid at all! Very informative and surprisingly good fun and the place is an absolute time capsule. Highly recommended and we will certainly be revisiting and introducing a load of other people to this little gem.

We had an excellent time at the coffin works and would definitely recommend it. We went on a guided tour with russell and he was excellent; really knowledgable and passionate about the conservation of the museum. Cornelius another tour guide was really excellent too. The museum itself is a time capsule of the coffin works since it was closed down. It was really interesting we would definitely recommend it!!

Don't let the name put you off. The place is fascinating. You get to go back in time to Birminghams industrial past. The staff are brilliant, they are so enthusiastic, and so much fun, it rubs off. Book yourself in, you won't be disappointed, the place is unique. There is parking near by, or is in easy walking distance from Birmingham town centre.

The Coffin Works is a fantastic place to visit if you are a metalworker, tailor, fabric lover, mechanic, historian or just enjoy a good nose around someone else's workplace. You are taken on a guided tour around the world of funerary and almost feel like you know the people who worked there, it's like they will be turning up on Monday to work. Knowledgable guides, friendly shop assistants and great souvenirs add to this great must see museum.

The Coffin Works Museum, the former Newman Brothers factory, is an insight into one of the many trades which at one time flourished in and around the Jewellery Quarter of Birmingham. No coffins were made at the factory, whereas everything else associated with coffins and their occupants was manufactured on site. At the small cold drop stamping shop, we were given a demonstration of some of the machines in action, with an interesting insight into working conditions during its operational lifetime.Other sections of the sight were the sowing room, which at one time made shrouds and coffin liners, and the manager’s office.Well worth a visit for all the family.

Just like going back into a time capsule - wonderful to see how all the fittings for coffins were made. Amazing working conditions - Health and Safety would have a hissy fit now! Well worth a visit.

There is little by the way of signage to locate the museum when walking from the city centre and we were glad that we had previously printed "google" directions on how to get to the site by foot from the Bullring markets.We timed our visit to coincide with one of the on the hour tours rather than taking the "i pad" option. At the cash desk there was a sign for "gift aid" but this was not for the museum to claim tax back on your payment from HMRC but for you to donate an extra 10% on top of your admission price. The use of another term for an additional voluntary payment may have been less confusing.A limited number of chairs are provided in the reception area/shop for use by customers prior to the tour starting.The introduction was given in an open air courtyard and fortunately at the time of our visit it was dry. The guide passed around a folder with photographs and plans of the site. We then proceeded into a workshop where we were given a demonstration of original machinery, although now powered by electricity, being used to stamp metal plates.After the demonstration we returned to the main building and alighted a steep and narrow flight of stairs to a post/store room where the tour continued. A lift is available for those who feel they could not manage the stairs but in our group no-one seemed troubled by the stairs.In this room there was a table upon which were a variety of items in metal and plastic that had been made at the works to adorn coffins e.g. handles, crucifixes, sacred hearts. We were encouraged to handle these items. Once again a folder was passed around giving details of other items manufactured and some information on those who worked for the company.The next room on the tour was an office as it would have appeared in the 1960's with items such as an old style typewriter, telephone and even a drinks cupboard on display. Being set in the 1960's brought back memories of using similar equipment for some and curiosity for those of a younger age. Again our guide gave details of the people who worked at or owned the works.The final room on the tour was a sowing room where shrouds are made. Again there was a display table where material and shroud parts were available to handle. The old sowing machines were on display.Our guide was very knowledgeable but her style of presentation could do with some polishing as there were notable pauses, "hums" and "errs". However these guides are volunteers not professionals and taking that into account I was very impressed with her overall.Despite the name "The Coffin Works", coffins were not made at the works only fitments and adornments. There is a coffin in the final sowing room but that has been loaned to the museum by a local undertaker for display purposes. The museum was therefore not what we had expected, however, it was interesting and worth the £5 cost of the visit.There are toilet facilities on the first floor which were in good order. There are no catering facilities.

Its just like walking into a factory where all the staff have gone on their lunch break.The welcome we got was lovely we were booked on a tour and we were lucky to have a 1 to 1 tour which takes in the making of coffin furniture and the linings there in.It must be the only tour of its kind in the world and such a shame about the business when you learn what went on . just super worth every penny to get in. Our guide was so keen to tell the story and he told it very well !!!!!!!!I would return and certainly recommend ……………….

We visited on our first trip to Birmingham,we had not booked a tour ,but the guys were happy to take us,and a few more visitors for a tour, we were glad we did not take the other option of the ...'i pad'....as Martin and his colleagues were very entertaining,friendly and passionate about Newman Brothers...was interesting to see how people had to work so very hard in days gone by..would recommend if visiting the city ,to visit Newman Brothers Coffin Works..Many thanks...