The Grade II listed row of working class houses and shops has been restored by Birmingham Conservation Trust to create a fascinating local history centre. Managed by the National Trust, the Back to Backs offer guided tours of the last surviving block of these typical homes built around a communal courtyard. Two of the properties, numbers 52 and 54 Hurst Street, are also available for short stays and are fully furnished with period furnishings and fittings and some carefully concealed modern comforts.  

Throughout the 19th century, the street was occupied by workers employed in industries such as button making, glasswork, woodwork, leatherwork and tailoring. There were also skilled craftsmen in the jewellery and small metal trades. Many such workers worked from home. Over 500 families are known to have lived around this particular courtyard, which also includes a museum that traces life in the city from the 1840s to the 1970s.

A review from TripAdvisor says: “A must see for anyone visiting Birmingham … the guided tour was excellent and gives you a very good idea of how the people lived there and what they did. It was amazing."