Birmingham Oratory Visit (Rare Opportunity)

Birmingham Oratory Visit (Rare Opportunity)

During Birmingham Heritage Week, this fabulous secret building is open to visits, for those who delight in history and architecture.

NB: Short notice event, so likely attendance more from curiosity or to escape the rain than a guaranteed social occasion

What's This All About?
Sometimes called Birmingham's "little Rome" this secret attraction is visible from Birmingham's Five Ways Roundabout area, as you join Hagley Road. Inside is a stunning interior that evokes the Italian Baroque of Rome with rich marble and mosaics produced by craftsmen in Murano, Italy. It was founded by Cardinal John Henry Newman who became a saint in a huge canonisation mass in St Peter’s Square in Rome in 2019 that was attended by thousands and watched across the globe.

Guided Tour
The Oratory is open to the public from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday 14 September 2025, and there is a tour at 14:30, so arrive around 2pm to look around and then join the tour. And maybe a cuppa to finish with.
Booking is not required and you can visit for free.

Location
The address is The Oratory, 141 Hagley Road, B16 8UE. The entrance to the Oratory car park is via Plough and Harrow Road and the main pedestrian entry is on the Hagley Road through the cloister garden.
Wheelchair access is from the car park entrance.

Contact
If a group member such as you offers to host this event, then there will be a specific contact point. Otherwise, responsibility will be collective among those attending, with advice to swap details to arrive at roughly the same time and find each-other.

More Details:
See Birmingham's hidden 'Little Rome' is opening up to visitors free of charge