Birmingham Back to Backs

A Living Slice of Industrial Birmingham

Tucked away just off Hurst Street, Birmingham Back to Backs preserves a rare surviving example of the city’s once-ubiquitous back-to-back housing. Built in the early 1800s and known historically as Court 15, this cluster of tightly packed houses once crammed dozens of people into a single courtyard. Today, it stands as a powerful reminder of Birmingham’s industrial past, when thousands lived in similar conditions close to factories and workshops. The site is not a replica but the real thing: original brick and timber, narrow staircases, low ceilings, and shared outdoor space that once served as kitchen, laundry, and playground.

Life in the Courts, Room by Room

The experience unfolds through a guided tour that takes visitors through several restored houses, each set to a different period in the site’s long history. You’ll see how families lived in just one or two rooms, cooking on open fires, sleeping on simple beds, and sharing water and sanitation with neighbours. The interiors are furnished with period-appropriate items, from cooking utensils and clothing to toys and tools, helping to conjure the sights, sounds, and even the smells of daily life. Guides share personal stories of former residents, including washerwomen, metalworkers, and shopkeepers, painting a vivid picture of community, hardship, and resilience in a rapidly growing industrial city.

From Slum to Protected Heritage

Back-to-back housing was once the norm for Birmingham’s working class, but by the 20th century these courts were seen as overcrowded, unsanitary slums. Most were demolished as the city modernised, but Court 15 survived, partly because it remained inhabited until the 1960s. Its preservation and restoration by the National Trust transformed it into a museum that not only showcases architecture but also gives voice to the ordinary people who shaped Birmingham. The site now includes an exhibition space and a second-hand bookshop, adding layers of context about urban development, social reform, and the changing face of the city.

What to Expect on Your Visit

Visits are by guided tour only, and booking in advance is essential. The standard tour lasts about 90 minutes and involves climbing steep, narrow, and often awkward stairs between floors, so it’s not suitable for those with significant mobility issues. A shorter, ground-floor tour is available for visitors who cannot manage the stairs, offering access to the ground floors of several properties. The atmosphere is intimate and immersive, with low lighting and authentic details that encourage quiet reflection. Photography is generally allowed, but flash is often discouraged to preserve the mood and protect delicate interiors.