Birmingham Cathedral Tours and Activities

Built between 1709 and 1715 in the Baroque style, by English architect Thomas Archer, Birmingham Cathedral was originally known as St Philips Community Church. It was given its current name in 1905. Today, it is an iconic building that draws many visitors and locals alike who come to enjoy the choir and its music or to admire the building and its wonderful stained glass windows, one of its main attractions.Designed by Edward Burne-Jones, a significant artist of the late Pre-Raphaelite movement, the windows depict The Ascension, Nativity, Crucifixion and The Last Judgement. There is also a window on the west side of the building commemorating the life of a local bishop.Outside in the Cathedral’s courtyard there are further points of interest. There is an obelisk in honour of the English soldier Frederick Gustavus Barnaby who is famous for a solo hot air balloon flight across the English Channel. You’ll also find a contemporary memorial dedicated to the victims of the 1974 Birmingham pub bombings.The Cathedral is much more than simply a place of worship or a museum. It hosts a whole array of different events from choral concerts to ‘Come and Sing’ nights. During the city’s Jazz Festival in July, the Cathedral and its grounds are transformed into a performance venue. A full schedule of events can be found on the Live Brum website. This will also give you details of upcoming exhibitions and art markets.Situated in the heart of the city centre, Birmingham Cathedral is close to several other major attractions such as Victoria Square and the Bullring Shopping Centre which are less than a 10-minute walk away. New Street, Moor Street and Snow Hill train stations are nearby and several buses stop on Colmore Row, which is nearby. There is paid car parking available at Snow Hill Station if you are coming by car. Birmingham Cathedral is open to the public every day. For information regarding Sunday services and the gift shop hours, visit the Cathedral’s official website.