Birmingham Back to Backs Candlelit Tour

Enjoy a tour of the Birmingham Back to Backs in the atmospheric glow of candlelight! This unique tour is a great way to discover Birmingham's industrial and working-class history.

As the nights draw in, come and experience Back to Backs by candlelight and hear the stories of the extraordinary lives of the ordinary people who called Court 15 home for over 200 years. To help keep you warm on these cold autumn nights, tea and cake will also be served in one of the houses.

About Back to Backs:

On a fascinating guided tour, step back in time at Birmingham's last surviving court of Back to Backs; houses built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard.

The Birmingham Back to Backs, once known as Court 15, is the last surviving court of houses that once dominated cities in the Midlands. People from around the world came to live and work side-by-side in these houses, and these tours reveal the history of the working classes of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Moving from the 1840s through to the 1970s, discover the lives of some of the former residents who crammed into these tiny houses to live and work. With fires alight in the grates, and sounds and smells from the past, experience an evocative and intimate insight into life at the Back to Backs.


  • Meeting point: Back to Backs bookshop
  • What to bring and wear: Please wear warm and comfortable clothing, some of the tour takes place outside
  • Accessibility: There are eight flights of steep, narrow stairs in the houses- please make your host aware of any access requirements
Non-members ticket £11
National Trust members ticket (Valid membership card must be shown on entry) £7

Available dates

Sorry, there are currently no dates available

The good news is that we’re expecting more to be added really soon!

Want to be the first to find out when new dates are released? Register below to notify the host of your interest

What people are saying

★★★★★
Pete Vale
Oct 2023

A fascinating look back in time, the atmosphere enhanced by the candlelight.

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★★★★★
alexander taylor
Oct 2023

It was thoroughly atmospheric with a small group. The host was very informative about the houses,...

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How to get there

Facilities

  • Refreshments available
  • Toilets

Changes happen, don't worry

How to change dates
Change of plans? You can easily rebook the next available slot up to 30 days before your experience.
How to get a refund
Can't make it? We understand things happen! You can cancel and get a full refund up to 30 days before your experience.
Please note that this refund policy does not apply to gift bookings. You may reschedule your gift if outside the time period stated above. Please note that Yuup gift cards are valid for redemption for 12 months, and if not redeemed by this date, you will get a Yuup credit added to your Yuup account equivalent to the unspent value of the Yuup gift card less a Yuup administration fee of 20%.

You'll be hosted by

National Trust Birmingham Back to Backs

The Birmingham Back to Backs are the city's last surviving court of back-to-back houses.

They are a preserved insight into working class history and an example of the thousands of similar houses that were built around shared courtyards for the rapidly increasing population of Britain's expanding industrial towns.

Any questions?

Ask your question directly to National Trust Birmingham Back to Backs.

Available dates

Sorry, there are currently no dates available

The good news is that we’re expecting more to be added really soon!

Want to be the first to find out when new dates are released? Register below to notify the host of your interest