This museum was so much fun! You can make a pen using the equipment there, have a go at calligraphy and use a type writer. There are several outbuildings to see all things pen related. The gift shop has some cheap calligraphy pens and ink. A great place to visit if you have spare time in Birmingham!

A truly fascinating, informative museum that recognises the importance that Birmingham played, not only the national, but international stage as a manufacturer of pens. Loved the level of information and interaction including manufacturing our own pen nib. The volunteer team are a true credit to the museum. A must visit in Birmingham.

Worth every penny, small but packed full of interesting displays. the staff are extremely friendly and Larry Hanks demonstration of the original nib making process was fantastic. Would recommend to anyone.

We visited the Pen Museum today and we loved it! It's a small museum but it has something for everyone. It is especially good if you have an interest in history. There are 3 rooms. The first one has a large collection of pens, pen nibs and other related objects. There are also lots and lots of interesting facts related to the history of pen making. They have a little quiz to complete if you are interested. In the second room you have the opportunity to watch a short video about the history of pens and then you can even have a go at making a pen nib yourself using a variety of machines! The third room has a few typewriters and a small table with some activities for children. You can have a go at calligraphy or typewriting if you want. The volunteers are all very friendly, knowledgeable and welcoming so I hope you enjoy the museum as much as we did!

This was a really fun place to visit, I love that the place is run by volunteers, you can really see the passion. The first room has a lot of great info, a timeline and some really impressive visuals made up of different nibs. You can also get stuck in trying your hand at calligraphy using a whole host of different nibs. The second room had an introduction via a ten minute video, with various people talking about the Birmingham pen nib industry (including some lovely old women who used to work in them, one was particularly endearing to watch) After that, one of the guys showed us step by step how to make a nib, we each got to try it ourselves and ended up with a nib each that we created (in fact, we ended up with three! One we made, one that we just did the final cut on because ours hadn't gone through the hardening process like they need to, and a third because they usually have some hardened ones for people to cut and keep, so instead we got a totally different - fully useable - one for free as well!) In this room there were also loads of fun things to look at, including various different ink wells and bottles. The last room is tucked off to the side, we got shown through and were greeted by the local historian volunteer. He talked us through various things, going off on interesting tangents about other historical Brummies of importance in the process. You could really tell he loved what he did. That's the only downside though, he talked about a bunch of things then said 'ok, now I'll show you the exit' rather than giving us time to actually explore that room. It wasn't until I got home and looked at the map that I realised we completely missed out the typewriter and graphology section (the latter I think would have been really interesting) Now, maybe these two sections weren't open - I do know the site said some things, like the nib process, need specialists in, so when they aren't there you can't do them. But we didn't even get to have a proper look in the cabinets because he stood in front of each when he explained stuff to us so a bunch of it was blocked from view. So all in all a great, niche place to visit if you're interested in pens, calligraphy or even steelworks, but maybe the enthusiastic historian - as great as his insight was - should remember to let the visitors experience the room after he's finished his talk. I grabbed a postcard and nib in the gift shop, both were reasonably priced

I'm very surprised at just how good this museum is. Who would have thought that Birmingham is famous for its pens? You can spend as much time as you like here, and you get to make your very own ink pen nib. A fascinating insight into years gone by.

This museum is a pleasant surprise. Located in the Jewellery Quarter it is easy to access. The visit begins in a room that is at the entrance where it is possible to read about the history of pens, since the times when there were hundreds of factories that employed women, men and children. Children operated the machines that required less force and danger. The machines responsible for the different stages of the manufacturing process were operated by women and men. Being a repetitive job was dangerous and they could loss fingers, being burned and many others and other situations. In room 2 you can see these machines and see how they work and watch a video and in room 3 the largest of them all you can see different types of nib and try on your penmanship. Visit and you will see that it is very interesting and you can purchase products at the entrance for your own use or offer.

10 stars out of 5! As someone who admires calligrapher, I have been fond of pen, ink, quill, parchment, letter paper, envelopes, wax, seals and anything related to writing since I was a child. Before coming to Birmingham this time, I was looking forward to this place the most. The museum was built across the street from a pen factory whose early pens were sold to Disney. The first room is devoted to art made with nibs, with magnifying glasses for a closer look at the nibs; The second room is not only for displaying more nibs, pens, inks, pens cases, stamps, ink bottles etc, but also to introduce the making of the nib. The guide will take the visitors to operate the equipments for making the nib. Although you can't use it without burning the nib yourself, they will give you a free fine nib. The third room displays not only nibs, but also pen holders, ink containers, nib cases, and old typewriters which allows you to type. In addition, the museum also has calligraphy classes, which can be booked online. Love this museum, definitely one of the most unique and interesting I've seen in Birmingham.

A very informative little museum on part of the industrial heritage of Birmingham. The intricacy of the tools to make some of the most beautiful nibs is astounding, when you consider they were all handmade. You even get to make your own nib to bring away. Very reasonably priced, and you get a voucher for 10% off at the pub across the road.

Had a really great time at the pen museum. You get to make your own pen nib, which is fun. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Special thanks to Larry.

A small museum that opens you up to the life of Birmingham and its industrial production. There are only 3 rooms but I spent two hours in it because it was so interesting! Along the way, you can also create a tip from start to finish with time machines. A must-experience if you are in Birmingham I recommend.

Charming museum of a once thriving pen nib manufacturing industry in Birmingham. The volunteer staff are enthusiastic and knowledgeable and take you through the process machine-by-machine as you make your own pen nib.

Very interesting went as a volunteer on a school trip fantastic experience although very cold. Our guide Mary was a lovely lady and made the day fun and had a wonderful way of delivering the story of the great fire of London to the children.

Lovley old place

It's a great use of an afternoon, the staff are knowledgeable and can answer questions. You can go round at your own pace. It's interesting, you get to experience making your own nib following the process with the press equipment used in the past. It has a nice little gift shop

Definitely worth a visit if your going cadbury's land... Bournville village is beautiful

Well worth a visit and 200 metres from Cadbury and its free

Interesting old house, Good artifacts collated from the heritage fund.

Amazing place. You can make you're own nibs. Worth the visit just for Larry the legend

This place is paradise for any lover of writing in all its forms, but particularly for those of us who started writing using pens (not biros!) and we know that the connection between the heart and words is possible through the magic of the pen nib. The museum dazzles with the large number of pen nibs and pens in general. It allows a self-guided tour that tells us about the beginnings of this industry in Birmingham, its employees and its customs. But the amazement doesn't end there: in our visit we were fortunate that one of the founding members told us about his time in the factory as an employee, while inviting us to use the machines and create our own pen nib. This museum is heaven, a must-visit for everybody!

Another museum gem telling the unique story of Birmingham's past. Fascinating reading material and workshop. Not a guided tour but you do get shown part of the production process and get the opportunity to make your own nib

A small and quaint (but informative) museum about what was once a thriving pen industry in Birmingham. The ticket price was not expensive and kids under 16 go in for free. Salute to the volunteers (?) who were very helpful throughout the visit.

My 3 year old and I had such a great time here! Lovely staff, and really interesting exhibits. Getting to try out the different ink pens, and making our own nibs were the big highlights though.

Excellent! Calligraphy class with Sheila was brilliant! Practice makes perfect! Loved it!

Steeped in history. I don't know how one building can holds so much history it's amazing . Not expensive to gain entry and well worth every single penny on entry fees

We caught the 101 bus stop outside pen museum found very interesting and made pen nib and they give you one made up already

Very informative & lots of fun, i only wished the gift shop had more stuff to buy

Fun little museum with an enormous collection of pens along with some nicely thought-out interactive pieces (calligraphy - with quils or pens, hand writing analysis, old fashioned typewriters etc) but also great staff and volunteer workers. The real standout was cutting and shaping our own pen nibs, which we got to keep, so that was a pretty unique experience!

Really enjoyed this quirky little museum today which is situated in one of the original pen factories in Birmingham. Fascinating to learn about the role of Birmingham in pen production and use across the world and how women played such a vital role in this. Got some great pen nibs, pens and inks as souvenirs and it was great to get the 10% discount to 1000 trades independent pub across the road for lunch after had finished at the museum. Well worth a visit on a rainy Friday afternoon!

Interesting. My son enjoyed making his own nib.

This is the most adorable little museum I've ever had the privilege to enter. For £5, you learn not only about pens (which actually have a really interesting history for being something we use every day!), but also a fair bit about Birmingham's history as an industrial powerhouse. The museum isn't huge, but it is interesting and definitely worth a visit if you're in the area for a unique thing to see!

Absolutely loved this museum, definitely worth a visit. Plenty of facts about how at one time, anything written anywhere in the world, was written by a pen nib manufactured in Birmingham. The volunteers who run it, obviously enjoy it, especially Larry who explained the nib making process as he helped us make our own nib. You can also leave a donation in one of their tins and purchase items in the small gift shop.

Definitely worth it! You get to make your own pen nib from raw steel plate and can also try a bit of calligraphy. Staffs are really nice and welcoming. I am really surprised that the museum isn't really famous.

Revised, as it had closed early on my first visit. Very interesting view of the history of pen making until the time the ballpoint replaced most of the writing instruments. Also, how this city dominated the industry, with photos and videos of workers. The museum is mainly run by a group of committed volunteers, who tirelessly show exhibits to people over and over again and, were happy to answer questions. I have reserved 1 of my 5 stars. While I was there 2 individual, foreign visitors could not pay in cash due to it being contactless, which would incur fees. Most places have returned to having a cash option. My observation was that groups of people inside touch door handles, push buttons and pull machines so I would suggest that cash is just as safe at this time. A fun thing to take away is a nib which the visitor has made :)

A little gem of a museum tucked away in the Jewellery Quarter. Well worth a visit. There is a moderate admission charge, for which you receive a guided tour through the production of pen nibs through the decades, you even have the opportunity to make your own. There is a fascinating history to be learned from this area of Birmingham and this is an excellent place to start.

Lovely little museum charting the history of pen making in the area plus an opportunity to make your own nib with the guidance of one og the volunteers.

My family and I visited this museum last year and we had a fun time learning about pen nibs and all. Small but informative museum. It’s definitely worth the time.

Fascinating history of the pen and the industry. Lovely staff and I got to make my own nib. Lovely gift shop and I enjoyed the calligraphy class I pre-booked for.

So interesting to learn more about Birmingham's history, and what a massive contribution to pens worldwide! Fabulous seeing the range of nibs and really enjoyed making our own on original machines, courtesy of Larry. Would recommend a visit!

Very interesting and informative. Not to big so a good way to spend a few hours learning about another part of Birmingham's industrial past. Who new that at one time, three quarters of anything ever written down in the whole world, was written using a Birmingham made pen nib!

Excellent little Museum with a very knowledgeable guide. Well worth a visit to learn about how Birmingham was once responsible for 75% of all things written, were by a pen made in Birmingham.

They Will show you how they used to make steel pen nibs, which makes the visit much more interactive and interesting A little bit expensive but different from other museums...

Who knew that Birmingham supplied pen nibs to over 3/4 of the world at its peak? Well the guys at the pen museum did. Interesting little tour and the guides were knowledgeable and informative about more than just pens

Small but oh so mighty! ( like the pen 😁) What a brilliant museum 👏🏿. I have been to loads of museums and this one is up there with the best So much to see, lovingly cared for exhibits, dedicated and engaging staff. I got to make a pen nib !🖋.I got the learn the history of Birmingham and UK pen making and its link to international literacy with a detail and clarity that should be part of the UK curriculum . You gain a unique insight into the manufacturing history of Birmingham. I was here for a lot longer than I thought I would be and loved every minute. Congrats to the staff and volunteers on crafting a lovely and welcoming experience . 👏🏿👏🏿👍🏿

Definitely worth going to ro see the history of the nib making and how it developed over the years. Preserving many historical artifacts

Worth a quick trip around, the information books inside the buildings are really informative. Staff are friendly too and the buildings have been really well.

Hidden gem. Well worth a visit

(Translated by Google) We can't get in, it's closed for parties. But just looking outside was exciting. (Original) Não conseguimos entrar, está fechado para as festas. Mas só de olhar do lado de fora já foi emocionante.

found it to he quite boring. but that does mean everyone will feel the same. still.give it a try. not much to do in all honesty.

Good atmosphere and knowledgeable staff

Went along with a group of year 2 children learning about the Great Fire of London . Our host Daniel was engaging and funny throughout the whole time and the children had a wonderful day , well worth a visit.

My 6yr old granddaughter and I went for knights and princesses week during half term. She had great time making crown, fire breathing dragon and family crest. Also great quiz round main house and fasinating talk about knights. Lovely at any time for children and adults.

Really great place. Would recommend it to anyone needing a break from chocolate. Lovely staff. Interesting and accessible artefacts.

Beautiful place and lovely, helpful team

Perfect wedding venue, thank you!

Lovely place

Awesome place, really takes you back in time.

Great little history tour and a lovely little garden. Took the kids to school of wizardry which was fun and the staff on the day were all very helpful and happy. Nice experience

It's stunning to see 500 year-old house

Great hall, lovely grounds, historic location

Selly Manor is really lovely. It does give you a good taste of old times England with little quirky details all around.

What a lovely place to visit we really enjoyed it , you are able to dress up and just get the feel of times gone by . There us no access to upstairs for wheelchair users though . There is a car park next to Selly Manor.

Beautiful building - we also did the walking tour. Very informative.

Have lived near this little gem for a number of years and never visited. So decided to put that right today. It is well presented with lots of objects to handle as well as clear warnings on objects that need protecting. Many schoolchildren in today but all well behaved and engaged with staff and we still had plenty of chances to see rooms quietly. It is small so doesn't need a lot of time to do it justice. Now know where the phrase 'saving face' comes from.

Beautiful wedding venue to photograph at

Only from the hedge line looking beautiful 😍

Lovely place!

Lovely place to visit - the house is interesting and there were old games for the kids to play. Fun treasure hunt (not sure who enjoyed it more) and a nice chocolate for solving it (just ask at reception when you've solved it). Gardens are really well looked after - really liked the Henry VIII hedge!

Very nice

Came here for my sisters wedding, it’s a great venue, that I would highly recommend!

I took my grandchildren and great grandchildren to the magical unicorn party . We all had a fantastic time and they loved the unicorn rides. They haven’t stopped talking about them .Thank you to all who organised this event .

Lovely place to visit

Very lovely preserved Tudor times dwelling

Excellent glimpse back in history, well worth a visit.

very interesting

Historically rich and interesting place to visit. Lovely gardens and a quiet area to really appreciate the history of the building. Lovely afternoon out.

Definitely worth a visit. Friendly, welcoming staff. Super loos in very classy building. Set in picturesque grounds. Buildings packed to the rafters with history. Dress up opportunities for the little and big kids amongst us.

Nice little Museum

Beautiful little gem in the heart of Bournville

Interesting local place. Good for kids. Lots of history.

Nice old house

Well worth a visit a lot of interesting history

Love to look about these houses, loads to do inside too

Phenomenal, so interesting, informative . With interactive ability, a film show, interviews with previous workers. You're able to use the original machines and make your own nib. Truly enjoyed it