Post Conference Tours

Please make sure to add the tour to your booking when you register.

A combined tour of the Library of Birmingham & Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Wednesday 19 December, 17:00 – 19:00
£15 per person (incl. refreshments)

This combined guided tour will take you on backstage tour at the famous REP theatre on a journey behind the scenes at one of Britain’s premier producing theatres. Behind closed doors you’ll find a huge workshop, paint shop and wonderful costume and wig store!

You will then be taken to the newly refurbished Library of Birmingham, a beautiful and striking building, nestled next to the ICC. Designed by Dutch architects Mecanoo, the Library has transformed the city’s library services and become a major cultural destination, housing Birmingham’s world-class collections of archives, photography and rare books as well as a million printed volumes, the largest number held by any public library in the UK. During this tour you will be told the history of the building and about its new design. You will also see the beautiful Shakespeare Memorial Room, an original feature from the city’s Victorian library. The Victorian room with wooden panelling and glass cabinets has been moved in its entirety and painstakingly restored. Not to be missed!

Cadbury World Heritage Tour

Thursday 20 December, 11:30 – 17:30
£35 per person incl. all transport, a guide, and afternoon tea

In 1824, John Cadbury began selling tea, coffee, and drinking chocolate in Bull Street in Birmingham, England. In 1847 John Cadbury became a partner with his brother Benjamin and the company became known as ‘Cadbury Brothers’ and sold from central Birmingham. In 1878 the brothers decided to build new premises in countryside four miles from Birmingham, they renamed the estate Bournville and opened the Bournville factory the following year.

This special tour will fill you in with the history of the Cadbury family, the Bournville Village and the Quaker ethics. Enjoy a fascinating tour of Bournville on board your coach with a member of the heritage team. Discover the Cadbury brothers’ vision of a ‘Factory in a Garden’ and view examples of beautiful architecture, the unique village green and pretty tree-lined streets, before taking a guided tour of the Cadbury World exhibition. The tour will finish with afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones, before heading back to the centre of Birmingham.