A hidden gem with a dark twist: Discover Birmingham's most unexpected day out

In Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, an unassuming brick building holds stories of a trade most of us never think about--until we have to.

Once a bustling factory producing coffin fittings for everyone from local residents to royalty, it's now a museum offering a rare glimpse into the dignified, delicate, and sometimes surprisingly industrial world of death.

We sent Richard Gullick to take a closer look at the Coffin Works.

Watch the video for the full report.

This isn't your average museum--and it's not trying to be. The Coffin Works isn't a recreation; it's the real thing. Preserved in time, it takes you straight into the workshops where people once toiled to meet demand for the funeral trade.

Brass, leather, and cloth passed through these hands for over a century.

Sarah Hayes tells us why this place matters - not just as a museum, but as a piece of Birmingham's past that speaks to how we once lived, worked, and died.

Why is the Coffin Works such an important part of Birmingham's industrial story?

You'll find plenty of fittings inside the Coffin Works - from pressed brass handles to wooden grips, lid motifs to nameplates.

Each one tells its own story about the time, the trade, and the tone expected in death. But some pieces stand out for their craftsmanship and prestige.

Read more: Tiny underrated zoo near Birmingham perfect for a magical day out - but it needs your support

One of the most iconic, as Sarah explains, is tucked away on a side wall in one of the quieter rooms.

What's the story behind the gothic brass handle?

If the gothic handle was the showpiece, this was the engine room. The Stamp Shop handled the bulk of production - rows of heavy machinery, still in place, still oiled, and still noisy if you let them run.

Here, skilled operators stamped out nameplates, handles, and coffin ornaments on the fly. It was repetitive, it was physical, and it was vital. And the sound of progress came with every clunk of a fly press.

So what was life like in this workshop?

Beyond the machinery and metal, there's another side to this place -one defined by fabrics, thread, and the steady hum of sewing machines.

From frilly cushions to intricate coffin linings, the factory produced a surprising amount of soft goods. And it was here, in the Shroud Room, where that quieter work took place. Sarah tells us more about the women who brought softness to an otherwise hard-edged industry.

At a glance, it might seem like just another museum--but the Coffin Works is really a story about people.

About the dignity of labour, the business of death, and a city built on craft.

In a world chasing the new, this place quietly preserves the old--so we don't forget what went into making an ending meaningful.

Tickets prices are around £10 per person - the guided tours last for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and include demonstrations of the Victorian machinery.