Selly Manor Museum

Selly Manor Museum in Birmingham is a small open-air heritage site made up of two medieval timber-framed houses in the Bournville suburb, close to the Cadbury chocolate story. Neither house began life here. Both were saved, moved and rebuilt in grounds laid out by the Cadbury family.

What is Selly Manor?

The museum brings together two historic buildings. Selly Manor is a timber-framed house whose earliest records go back to 1476; it was originally known as Smyths Tenement. In 1916 the chocolate maker and philanthropist George Cadbury had it moved to Bournville. The second building, Minworth Greaves, is a medieval cruck-framed hall that had decayed until only its skeleton remained. Laurence Cadbury rebuilt it in 1932 beside Selly Manor, with architect William Alexander Harvey overseeing the work. Both houses have been Grade II listed since 1952.

What will you see inside?

The rooms are furnished from the Laurence Cadbury collection, which covers the years 1500 to 1900. A visit therefore traces how English domestic life changed from Tudor times through to the Victorian era. Exposed beams, uneven floors and low doorways give a good sense of how ordinary medieval households lived. A garden surrounds the houses, and the museum runs events and family activities through the year.

Who runs the museum?

Bournville Village Trust operates the site as a heritage attraction, community museum and function venue. The buildings are licensed for weddings, so parts of the site may be reserved for private events on some days. Check opening times and ticket prices on the museum's website before you travel.

How should you plan a visit?

Selly Manor sits in south Birmingham, inside the Bournville model village built for Cadbury workers. It pairs well with a walk through the surrounding streets, which have a distinctive layout of houses and green space. Allow about an hour for the houses themselves, and longer if a themed event is on.

Frequently asked questions

Is Selly Manor on its original site?

No. Selly Manor was moved to Bournville in 1916, and Minworth Greaves was rebuilt here in 1932 from its surviving frame.

Are the buildings listed?

Yes. Selly Manor and Minworth Greaves have both held Grade II status since 1952.

What is displayed in the houses?

Furniture from the Laurence Cadbury collection, dated 1500 to 1900, showing how homes looked from the late Middle Ages to the 19th century.

Can you get married here?

Yes. The museum is licensed for ceremonies, so confirm that your chosen day is not booked for a private event.