In Bournville, an experience centred on Cadbury chocolate, a glimpse into Tudor life and the history of a model village come together. Each offers a different focus: Cadbury World introduces you to the world of chocolate, while Selly Manor Museum and Bournville’s historic sites turn the spotlight on the area’s past.
How Bournville became a model village
The area’s history is closely linked to its development. In 1893, the Cadburys bought 120 acres of land near their new factory and began planning Bournville as a model village. Bournville later became a model for many other model villages in Britain. A walk along the Bournville Village Heritage Trail offers a focus on this history: the free, self-guided tour takes you to some of the area’s most historic buildings. Its stops offer a different way to explore local history than a visit focused mainly on Cadbury chocolate.
The Bournville Carillon is also part of the area’s history. It has 48 bells; George Cadbury commissioned it in 1906 as a gift for Cadbury employees. Recitals take place on Saturdays at 12:00 and 15:00 from February to December. Performance arrangements may change. If you want to plan your visit around a recital, check the latest information in advance.
Chocolate and Tudor life
Cadbury World in Bournville, Birmingham, is a self-guided experience where you can learn all about Cadbury chocolate. The Have A Go Zone offers hands-on activities in piping and tempering chocolate. This focus is quite different from a visit centred mainly on historic buildings or everyday life in earlier centuries.
At Selly Manor Museum, you can discover how the Tudors cooked, dressed and lived more than 500 years ago. The museum is in the heart of the village of Bournville in Birmingham. Activity boxes offer a hands-on visitor experience; individual activities may change. If these activities are important to your plans, check what is currently available before your visit.
When to visit
Another annual event is Bournville Heritage Open Day, held on the second Saturday in September. It includes free openings, exhibitions, guided tours and activities. Participating venues and the programme may vary from year to year. So check the programme for the relevant year before planning your trip around the event.
It is recommended that you book tickets for Cadbury World in advance to guarantee entry. Check the latest booking information before making firm plans for your visit. This makes it easy to combine a chocolate-focused visit with a museum day, the Heritage Trail or a recital at the Carillon, without assuming that all attractions have the same opening times.
Getting there and choosing accommodation
Cadbury World is a 15-minute walk from Bournville Station. The nearest bus stop to Cadbury World is on Woodbrooke Road/Linden Road in Bournville. Signage and stop information may change, so check the latest details before setting out.
When looking for a holiday rental in Bournville, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: chocolate, Tudor history or the development of the model village. If a particular event is important, also plan around Heritage Open Day or the recitals, and check the latest information about them.
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