Pen Museum Birmingham: Making Your Own Nib

If you have ever wondered how people wrote before ballpoint pens, the Pen Museum in Birmingham is a good place to find out. It is in the Jewellery Quarter at The Argent Centre, 60 Frederick Street, B1 3HS, and it tells the story of the city's steel pen trade. During the Victorian era Birmingham made a large share of the world's pens, at one point around 75%. The trade was centred on 129 companies that employed about 8,000 workers, mostly women. The museum is housed in a former pen factory. The building dates from 1863, is Grade II* listed and has a highly decorative façade designed by John George Bland.

The collection includes pens, nibs and machinery, and you can try different writing tools, from feather quills and reeds to steel nibs. Many visitors mention making their own nib using traditional methods, on the kind of machinery women worked at in the past. There are also hands-on sessions in calligraphy and ink-making, along with trails, videos and interactive equipment. The museum runs a hands-on programme for school groups that takes them into a Victorian pen factory. Reviews also mention walking tours of the surrounding area and learning about the history of the pen trade. The museum highlights the role of pen manufacturer Sir Josiah Mason in founding the University of Birmingham.

The museum is rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google Maps, based on 609 reviews. Visitors describe it as fascinating and engaging, and say making a nib is fun. One reviewer called it a great way to discover how people used to write. Opening hours are Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 4pm and Sunday from 12pm to 4pm. It is closed Monday to Wednesday, although these hours may change with the seasons. Entry is by timed ticket, with slots every hour and a maximum of six people per slot. The last entry is at 3pm. Standard entry costs £8.50. A National Art Pass gives 25% off entry, which brings the price down to £6.38, and 10% off in the shop. The pass is valid until 1 January 2027. The site has an on-site café, free Wi-Fi, toilets, a gift shop and parking, where charges apply. It is a few minutes' walk from the Jewellery Quarter train and metro stations.

There are a few events coming up. On Saturday 31 October, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm, there is The Phantom of the Bell, a Gothic murder mystery. On Friday 13 November, from 6pm to 7:30pm, Candlelight & Quills is an evening tour. Modern calligraphy workshops with Jane Lappage run on Sunday 15 November, from 10am to 4pm, and calligraphy classes with Sheila Smith run on Sunday 29 November, from 12pm to 3:30pm. For bookings and questions, you can call 0121 236 9834 or email enquiries@penmuseum.org.uk.