Pen Museum
BEST FOR
Ages 5+
ENTRY
from £4.70
SETTING
Indoors
WHERE
Birmingham
What it’s like
Kids get to write with a quill, bash out words on an old typewriter and make their own pen nib on Victorian machinery.
This is a museum where you're allowed to touch things, which is half the reason it works for kids. They can have a go at calligraphy, try graphology (working out what handwriting says about you), and use real typewriters instead of just looking at them behind glass. The one to save for last is making your own pen nib on the original Victorian machinery, and there's a fly press demonstration thrown into admission too, though that one depends on a volunteer being around on the day.
It's set up for children five and up rather than toddlers, and the noise from the machinery demonstrations is worth knowing about if you've got a child who hates sudden loud bangs. A family ticket for two adults and two children comes to £24.50, or £20.65 if it's one adult and three kids, and a child ticket alone is £4.70. Not cheap for what's a fairly small, specific museum, but the hands-on stuff is what you're paying for.
Opening hours are short: Thursday to Saturday 11 to 4, Sunday 12 to 4, with last entry at 3pm, so this isn't a place to turn up at in the afternoon and expect a leisurely wander. It's all on the ground floor with step-free access and accessible toilets in the courtyard, and there's no on-site parking, so you're relying on the Jewellery Quarter multi-storey or walking from the train and metro station a few minutes away.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 5 and up, given the quills, typewriters and machinery
- Last entry
- 15:00
- Wheelchairs
- Level entry and accessible toilets available
- Getting there by bus or train
- Jewellery Quarter Train and Metro Stations, a few minutes' walk away
- The fly press demonstration included in admission depends on a volunteer being on shift that day
- Guided tours cost £10 on top of the usual admission
- Nearest changing places toilet is at the Library of Birmingham or Utilita Arena, about a ten minute walk
- Quieter demonstration options can be arranged by emailing accessibility@penmuseum.org.uk in advance
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£4.70 for a child, £8.95 for an adult on free flow entry. A family ticket for two adults and two kids is £24.50, or £20.65 for one adult and three kids.
What age is it suitable for?
It's aimed at five and up, given the activities involve quills, typewriters and machinery rather than soft play stuff.
Do we need to book ahead?
There's no booking link mentioned, so it looks like you can turn up within opening hours.
What time do you need to arrive by?
Last entry is 3pm, and the museum closes at 4pm across the week.
What do kids actually do there?
Quill and ink writing, calligraphy, handwriting analysis, typewriters and making your own pen nib on old Victorian machinery.
Is there parking on site?
No on-site parking. The nearest multi-storey is in the Jewellery Quarter, and Blue Badge holders can use on-street Pay and Display bays there free.
Is it accessible for wheelchairs and buggies?
It's all on the ground floor with an accessible entrance via Gate B and two accessible toilets in the courtyard.
Is it noisy?
The machinery demonstrations can be loud, though you can email ahead about quieter demonstration options if that's a concern.
Can carers or disabled visitors get any help with admission?
Essential carers go in free, and disabled adult visitors pay the concession rate rather than full price.
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