Birmingham Town Hall

Birmingham Town Hall stands in Victoria Square as a Grade I listed concert hall opened in 1834. It was built to house the Birmingham Triennial Music Festival, which raised funds for the General Hospital. The building’s design came from a competition won by Joseph Hansom and Edward Welch, who modelled it on the Temple of Castor and Pollux in Rome. Construction began in 1832 but faced delays after Hansom went bankrupt and two workers died in a crane accident. The hall finally opened in 1834, with a 6,000-pipe organ installed by William Hill & Sons. The hall has hosted historic events and performances, including Charles Dickens’ first public readings and premieres of works by Mendelssohn and Elgar. It was the venue for protests in support of Revd. Richard Enraght and scenes of rioting during David Lloyd George’s visit. The building also served as the home of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra from 1918 until 1991. Popular musicians like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin have appeared on its stage, and it appeared in films such as *Brassed Off* and *Privilege*. Inside, the hall is a free-standing Corinthian temple with a tall rusticated podium and 14 bays running north to south. Behind the colonnade, the Great Hall features tall windows and an eared architrave. The main entrance is marked by a glazed arcade added in 1995. The organ, restored in 1932 and again during the 2002–2007 renovation, remains a central feature. The building’s Penmon Anglesey Marble façade adds to its grandeur.