Chartists, women’s’ rights activists, social reformers, and the inventor of egg-free custard – Key Hill Cemetery has it all!
Find out about the many different voices, histories, and perspectives of those buried in the cemetery, and how they shaped Birmingham. We invite you to enter the atmospheric Victorian catacombs at the end of the tour.
Opened in 1836 as a nondenominational cemetery, Key Hill is the oldest cemetery, not being in a churchyard, in Birmingham. The cemetery is the last resting place of Birmingham mayors, of alderman, councillors, M.P.s, industrialists, ministers, politicians, heroes of war, and of tens of thousands of people who, by their skills and determination helped make Birmingham the great city it is today.
How to get there:
By Train/Tram: The Jewellery Quarter has a dedicated train station (JEQ) and two tram stops (St Paul’s and Jewellery Quarter). By Car: From north-west/north-east take the M6 or M1. From the south/south-east take the M40 or M5. A multi-storey car park is located on Vyse St. and Newhall St. The Cemetery is in Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone. Please visit for further info. On Foot: It is a 20 min walk from Birmingham city centre. By Bus: The Quarter is accessible from the city centre via the 8A, 8C & 101 (Warstone Lane Stop) and 16 and 74 (Great Hampton St Stop).
Organised by Jewellery Quarter Research Trust
DATE & TIME
Sat 12 Sept | 2.30pm-4pm
LOCATION
Key Hill Cemetery, Icknield Street, Hockley, Birmingham, B18 5AY.
We will meet at the site of the old chapel (now demolished), which is through the main gate on Icknield Street.
COST
£10
BOOKING
Booking required
ACCESS
This event is not accessible for wheelchair users. There are uneven surfaces in the cemetery that may not be suitable for all abilities. Please dress for the weather, including sturdy footwear. The event will take place outside. And will only be cancelled by the guide in the event of extreme weather conditions, where there is a risk to people’s safety. The cemetery is wheelchair accessible from the Icknield Street entrance. However, the tours are not wheelchair accessible due to uneven surfaces and steps. There is no toilet on site.
