DISCOVER JEWELLERY QUARTER
Described by English Heritage as a “national treasure” the Jewellery Quarter is an urban village thriving with energy and steeped in history.
Situated on the edge of Birmingham’s bustling city centre, the Jewellery Quarter has established itself as a global tourist destination, being the home to a community of independent makers, a flourishing food and drink scene, and a history that spans centuries.
Group travel is encouraged in the Jewellery Quarter with attractions and hotels offering trade rates with a variety of experiences to enjoy.
DID YOU KNOW….
• The Jewellery Quarter (JQ) contains Europe’s largest concentration of jewellers dating back over 200 years.
• 40% of UK jewellery is still made in the area.
• The Jewellery Quarter is home to over 200 listed buildings, Birmingham’s last remaining Georgian Square, and two Victorian cemeteries which both contain catacombs.
• The original FA Cup, whistles for the Titanic, and coffin fittings for Winston Churchill were all made in the Jewellery Quarter.
• Industrialists James Watt and Matthew Boulton both worked in the Quarter with the former also living in the area too.
• The JQ has three museums: Coffin Works Museum, Pen Museum and the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter
• The Jewellery Quarter was the centre of Birmingham’s pen trade. During the 19th century, 75% of everything written in the world was with a Birmingham pen.
• The Quarter has one of Birmingham’s most popular hospitality scenes with more than 80 food and drink venues, including Michelin starred restaurants.
• World renowned artist Banksy painted a mural on the wall outside the Jewellery Quarter station during Christmas 2019. The mural was protected with Perspex.
Experiences in the Jewellery Quarter
Warstone Lane and Key Hill cemeteries
These two Victorian cemeteries are Birmingham’s oldest cemeteries and provide the final resting places for many notable Birmingham figures, including Joseph Chamberlain. Both cemeteries contain catacombs. Other historical buildings and landmarks in the Jewellery Quarter include the Chamberlain Clock and the Argent Centre.
Three museums
Step back in time and discover the incredible time capsule of a former factory, explore Birmingham’s famous pen trade, and learn how coffin fittings were made for Winston Churchill and Princess Diana.
Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District, Studio 508F, The Big Peg, 120 Vyse Street,
Birmingham, B18 6NF
Shops and demonstrations
In addition to the hundreds of jewellers, the Quarter has over 150 independent specialist retailers and craftspeople with shops ranging from chocolatiers and drink merchants to home furnishings and art galleries. Visitors can also take part in live demonstrations and attend workshops in jewellery making and a range of crafts.
World cuisine
Michelin-starred restaurant, Opheem, and a handful of other restaurants mentioned in the Michelin guide reside in the Jewellery Quarter. With plenty of other cuisines to choose from, two breweries, award winning cocktail bars, and a selection of boutique and budget hotels, the Jewellery Quarter has an eclectic hospitality scene with an abundance of choice.
Upcoming events in the Jewellery quarter
Christmas in the Jewellery Quarter –(November – December 2021)
Over 50 venues take part in the Jewellery Quarter’s annual window trail offering visitors the chance to witness some incredible Christmas displays. During the festive period, the area is lit up with more than 100 bespoke Christmas lights, two 30-foot Christmas trees, and a giant diamond ring. The Christmas Lights switch on event, rated as one of the best in the country by the Telegraph, takes place on the third Friday of November.
Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Cultural Festival – (March – September 2022)
The Commonwealth Games and the associated Cultural Festival will fill the city of Birmingham with sport, arts and culture during the Spring and Summer months. As a cultural hub, the Jewellery Quarter will be at the heart of the festivities with plenty of activity. With 8 hotels in the Jewellery Quarter, it is the perfect place to enjoy the games.
Jewellery Quarter Festival 2022 – (June 2022)
The annual Jewellery Quarter Festival attracts more than 15,000 visits each year and is a celebration of the heritage and energy of the area. Everything from entertainment and food stalls to workshops and tours, the Jewellery Quarter comes alive during this June weekend.
Birmingham Heritage Week – (September 2022)
During Birmingham Heritage Week in September, the Jewellery Quarter hosts more than 30 live events that celebrate local heritage. Many of the museums offer discounted tickets, with plenty of other venues running free tours, talks, theatre performances, and exhibitions.
GET IN TOUCH
To find out more about the Jewellery Quarter, download the ‘DiscoverJQ’ app on the App Store or Google play, or visit www.discoverjq.co.uk
To get in touch with the Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement District or to discuss this overview further, visit www.jewelleryquarter.net, email info@jqdt.org, or ring 0121 233 2814.