The Barber Institute of Fine Arts is an art gallery and concert hall in Birmingham. It has one of the most impressive collections of paintings in the United Kingdom, with the works of world famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh, Sandro Botticelli and Claude Monet hanging from their walls. That isn’t all, for the Barber Institute of fine arts also has a vast number of sculptures, coins and works on paper. Even if you aren’t a fine arts buff, this would be a great place to start.

Established in 1932, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts has long prided itself on its famous inhabitants. However, they are also well known for their lunchtime and evening concerts, which host the best classical music and opera acts that the country has to offer. They also host a number of exhibitions in their grounds, ranging from the treasures of ancient Egypt or cutting edge mixed media exhibits.

They are popular for their lunchtime lectures, where experts from the field of fine arts come down to talk about the enormous collection at the Institute.

You can get to know the Barber collection better by joining a gallery tour, which is informal, informative and excellently conducted by their team of tour guides.

On weekends, the Barber Institute has workshops on sculpture, painting and a lot more for children.

Despite having such an elaborate collection of art, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts ensures that even a novice would find the place interesting and enjoy the experience of appreciating fine art. This makes it a great place to visit for any tourist in Birmingham.

• Go early in the morning as it is generally almost empty, so that you can enjoy the paintings at your own pace.
• You can make a double trip of the Barber Institute and Winterbourne Garden, which is very close by.
• They often have free lunch time and evening concerts. Check the schedule on their website to see which performances you can catch.
• There is no cafe or eating arrangements inside the museum, except for a vending machine for drinks. Do remember to make your food arrangements, or try one of the many eateries nearby.

• Free entry; £4 per head for guided tour.

• By Bus: Nos 61 and 63 leave the city centre (Broad Street or Navigation St). The bus stops at the bottom of Navigation Street (ask for the University). The number 98 also leaves the city centre from Colmore Row, and stops on Edgbaston Park Road.
• By Train: University Station is a 10 minute walk from the Barber Institute on the campus. Trains leave New Street station regularly and take approximately 10 minutes.

• Subway
• Costa Coffee
• Sundarbon
• Luciano’s Pizza
• Canvas House

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