Some limited edition slots to see one of the world’s most impressive treasure hoards in Birmingham have opened up to the public.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery has unveiled a series of exclusive guided access sessions to see the Anglo Saxon trinkets for free.
The one-hour group sessions will run from Saturday, July 19 until Saturday, August 30 with a member of the museum team sharing the story of the hoard and why it’s so important.
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The sessions come ahead of the gallery’s full reopening to the public later this year.
When the Staffordshire Hoard first went on display in Birmingham, some 60,000 flocked to see the artifacts with some waiting for three-and-a-half hours to see.
The largest collection of Anglo Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found, it is comprised of just under 4,000 items and broken fragments, most of which are war gear.
Conservator Pieta Greaves polishes a reconstruction of a Helmet found in the Staffordshire Hoard at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Birmingham -Credit:PA
Found in a Hammerwich field by metal detectorist Terry Herbert in 2009, the swords, helmets and more are stunning, with the high quality workmanship alone making it worth seeing in the flesh.
Historians dated the items back to the 7th century, some time between AD650-675.
Booking to see the hoard is crucial as group sizes are limited, so it’s important to secure tickets from the Birmingham Museums website.
Toby Watley, director of collections and estate at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “These special guided access sessions are a wonderful opportunity to explore the Hoard’s extraordinary craftsmanship and significance.
“We are excited to be offering a more personal experience to visitors before we open the newly refurbished gallery more widely.
“It’s a special way to connect with this remarkable chapter of our region’s heritage.”
An exact date for the full reopening of the gallery has yet to be revealed but we’ll share more when we get it.