Tolkien 2019: A guide to Birmingham
A quick guide to Tolkien's connection with Birmingham and things to do and see whilst visiting the city.
The Tolkien Society celebrates their 50th anniversary this year and there’s going to be a party to make even Bilbo Baggins a little jealous – the Tolkien 2019 (Facebook page) on 7-11 August in Birmingham.
Between 1895 and 1911 Tolkien lived in several places around the city of Birmingham, Sarehole and Edgbaston amongst others. These places inspired him and sometimes you can see their inspiration in his creations.
A selection of my photos from the various places mentioned below can be found >>here<<.
Birmingham is a wonderful place to discover. Here are just a few suggestions…
Sarehole, the Mill, Hall Green Library and Moseley Bog
Once a quiet hamlet, this was the playground of Tolkien and brother Hilary, getting into trouble with the miller’s son and adventuring in nearby Moseley Bog. Sarehole Mill would make an appearance in the Hobbit and Moseley Bog (another link) as the Old Forest in Fellowship of the Ring. Hilary would write later about the White Ogre of the Mill, who chased them out when they bravely ventured inside. Sarehole is the Shire!
Over the years, the annual Middle-earth Festival has been held in the field next to Sarehole Mill.
And if you visit nearby Hall Green Library (Light from the Shadows Audio Guide and info), you’ll be treated with several Tolkien-inspired sculpted reliefs and a carved dragon seat. Inside, the library has a great selection of Tolkien books.
With their mother’s death in 1904, Tolkien and Hilary were placed under the guardianship of Father Francis Morgan, a priest at the Oratory in Edgbaston. Nearby, it is claimed locally that two buildings, Perrott’s Folly and Edgbaston’s Water Works, were a possible inspiration for the Two Towers of the Lord of the Rings, but there is no evidence for this in Tolkien’s notes or letters.
Nearby were two places Tolkien stayed or lived (and have blue plaques to show it!) – his romance with fellow lodger Edith discovered, Father Francis Morgan moved Tolkien and Hilary to lodgings on Highfield Road. Years later, after getting married, Tolkien and Edith stayed in the Plough & Harrow Hotel.
Birmingham Guides
- Visit Birmingham
- City centre map and guides
- Birmingham Council – Tolkien section
- Birmingham Council – Tolkien Trail
- Birmingham Heritage Forum - Tolkien
Walking Trails
- Discovering Britain: Jewellery Quarter walking guide
- Discovering Britain: Manufacturing and Migration walking guide
- Birmingham Civic Society: City Heritage Trail
- Lunar Society: Heritage Trail
- Jewellery Quarter: Trails (Ale Trail. Heritage Trail, Pavement Trail)
- University of Birmingham: Culture trails
- Pugin trail
- Ruskin trail – Ruskin 200
- Watt trail - bicentenary (Note: Major exhibition about James Watt at the Library of Birmingham)
Whilst in Birmingham
If you are able to attend Tolkien 2019, then here are a few suggestions for places and shops to visit whilst in Birmingham. Some are “geeky”!
Museums, art galleries and places of interest
- Museum and Art Gallery – with the Staffordshire Hoard room
- Library of Birmingham – the “People’s Palace” with a stunning modern design
Note: Tourist Information Centre is located inside the Library of Birmingham - Think Tank – Birmingham’s Science Museum
- Birmingham Cathedral
- St Martin in the Bull Ring
Shops
- Bullring – food and shops
- Forbidden Planet
- Waterstones - if you wander down to the basement, you will discover the Moria door! This is also where the Tolkien books are. They also have a great local history section.
- Waylands Forge – roleplaying game shop (inside the Custard Factory)
- Worlds Apart Birmingham (FP International)
Restaurants
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