Museum of the Jewellery Quarter reopens its time capsule workshop

Imagine walking into a jewellery factory where the tools are still on the benches and the workers seem to have just popped out. That is the magic of the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter on Vyse Street, and in August 2025 it reopened to the public after five years of repairs.

The museum tells the story of Smith & Pepper, a family firm that made gold jewellery at the factory for more than 80 years. When the elderly owners retired in 1981, they locked the door and left everything as it was, from tools to overalls.

That moment frozen in time became the museum's great treasure. It opened in 1992 as the Jewellery Quarter Discovery Centre and became a favourite with visitors. In 2008 TripAdvisor ranked it the third-best free tourist attraction in Europe, behind the Pantheon in Rome and the National Gallery in London.

The building closed in 2020 for essential repairs and maintenance. After a successful pop-up museum during the Jewellery Quarter Festival in July 2025, Birmingham Museums Trust reopened it, with guided access to the historic Smith & Pepper workshop on Thursdays to Saturdays. Conservation work continued during the phased reopening.

Rob Lewis, Director of Transformation at Birmingham Museums Trust, said the team was "delighted to be reaching this significant milestone in the phased reopening". He added: "We are now looking forward to welcoming visitors through the doors on a regular basis to explore the story of the region's unique heritage."

The timing could not have been better. The Jewellery Quarter had just been awarded World Craft City status, and the museum also opened its doors for Birmingham Heritage Week, which put a special focus on the Quarter.

Alongside the workshop, the museum tells the 200-year story of the Jewellery Quarter and its craft skills, with collections that include jewellery and coffin fittings. It is also the starting point for a self-guided walking tour of the area. The museum is one of nine run by Birmingham Museums Trust.

For anyone who loves jewellery, design or simply a good story, it is one of the most atmospheric places in the city. Opening days and booking details are on the Birmingham Museums website.