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Soho House, Birmingham

Matthew Boulton was an eighteenth century Birmingham "toy maker", which in the parlance of the time met he made small fancy goods in metal. He became one of Britain's leading industrialists. At his house in the Soho area of Birmingham he would entertain the great minds of the early period of the Industrial Revolution. Dinner guests included Erasmus Darwin, grandfather of Charles Darwin, Josiah Wedgewood, Joseph Priestly and James Watt, with whom in 1775 he went into partnership to produce the world's first steam engines. This group was known as the Lunar Society.

Matthew Boulton lived at Soho House for much of his life. The highlight of the house is the dining room where the Lunar Society would meet to discuss and present their ideas to one another.

There is a regular programme of events and activities. This programme continues in the winter, when Soho House is officially closed to visitors. Pre-booked groups and school parties are welcome all year round.

Opening Times: Soho House is open from 31st March to 28th October, Tuesday to Sunday, 11.30am - 4pm. The house is closed on Mondays, except for bank holidays. Admission is free.

Directions: Soho House is off Soho Road, Handsworth, Birmingham. Take the A41 out of Birmingham City Centre towards Handsworth. Soho Avenue is a left turn. Soho House is then on the left set back a little from the road. Click here for an interactive map centred on Soho House.

Access: there is ramped access to the house, and a lift to all floors.

Contact:

telephone: +44 (0) 121 554 9122