Birmingham Slogging Gangs Walking Tour: A Cultural Exploration with Edward Shelby
4.6
181 Ratings
West Midlands
Join Edward Shelby, a former member of the Birmingham slogging gangs, on a cultural exploration of the city. Learn about the historical and cultural aspects of the gangs and how they differed from their portrayal in popular culture.
Duration:
2 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- West Midlands Police Museum - Here you learn about where the Birmingham Gangs were held before trial. Please note that we will not enter the museum.
- The Gunmakers Quarter - Stop for a drink and learn about weapons in Birmingham and their impact on the slave trade.
- Chinese Quarter - Here you will learn about international gangs
- High Street - Learn about Birmingham’s impact on the tea trade.
What's Included
- Fun and educational experience
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Parking Fees (£5 to £30)
Additional Information
Are you intrigued by the history of Birmingham’s Slogging gangs? Well, we’re searching for new faces to join our tour guide Edward Shelby, who has firsthand experience with these infamous gangs, for a comprehensive tour of Birmingham and its gang history. Learn how the actuality differs from their popular representation through a tour focused on the historical and cultural influence of these notorious gangs. Delve into the ways they wreaked havoc in Birmingham during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and discover notorious gang figures like Billy Kimber, Alfie Solomon, and the Italian Mob. This informative two-hour round trip begins and ends at Aston University, with parking facilities available, and will take you deep into the historical territories once dominated by these gangs. The tour includes two pit-stops at local pubs, offering guests the opportunity to purchase a beverage while learning more about the history of Birmingham’s gangs over the past two centuries. Contact us for further queries or to arrange a corporate tour.
Location
Costa Coffee
Aston Street
Just look for the slogging gang member in the flat cap and cravat.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(181 Ratings)
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576guillerminar
Apr 22, 2024
Enriching and enlightening - Edward is so enthusiastic!
He showed us great places in Birmingham connected to these gangs from the past. All through our journey, he was willing to answer all the questions I asked him. Brilliant!
I had a marvellous time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jet00514931722
Apr 15, 2024
Great, charismatic and friendly tour guide! - I went on this tour with my friend on my course kind of on a whim, not expecting the tour to be as good as it was!, Edward Shelby told us all about the peaky blinders and their business in Birmingham it was so impressive how the facts rolled off his tongue, we had fun felt like we had been transported back in time great experience and amazing tour guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_t
Mar 31, 2024
Fab walk and insight into the sky world - Very good tour explaining the peaky blinders and rival gangs. Great information and very interesting. Thankyou
Review provided by Viator
Jess_c
Mar 30, 2024
Mr jess cooper - Edward was a brilliant tour guide he just needs to slow down on speaking so fast also it was a great shame we didn't go in to the bull pub as it looks like they have a lot of history there but overall fantastic tour will be coming again to do the pub tour thankyou so much love lesley and jess cooper
Review provided by Viator
Sam_e
Mar 27, 2024
Guide was excellent at... - Guide was excellent at balancing the historical facts surrounding the slogging gangs with the story portayed in the Peaky Blinders Series.
A great Birmingham History Lesson cunningly delivered in a most entertaining way.
The visit to the Pub wasn't half bad either!
Review provided by Viator
Chuck_b
Mar 25, 2024
Would Definitely Slog Again With Mr Shelby! - Our Guide “Edward Shelby” took us through US territory and rival territory while being careful not to get caught. He had a loud projecting voice which allowed us to easily hear him above the city noise. Edward was quick on his feet hiding from the police so as to not get caught! There were a few close calls. This was our first time in Birmingham and I feel like we got to see parts that we would never see otherwise. Our tour started on time and ended on schedule. I would highly recommend to any friends or family visiting Birmingham!
Review provided by Viator
Edvard_s
Mar 22, 2024
Great tour if you want to know some real stories about Birmingham street gangs - Decent tour! Great tour guide (forgot the name but you can see him in my photo). Interesting facts are provided about the Birmingham street gangs that show real life rather than popularized and glamourized on TV. It's a bit hard to understand the guide sometimes if you're not British tho :))) but maybe that's just me, cause I had the same problem on all my Birmingham tours :D
Review provided by Viator
Keithkeaveny
Mar 17, 2024
Good but not what you might expect - Whilst this was billed as "The Peaky Blinders Walking Tour", it really should have been entitled as "The Slogging Gangs Walking Tour", particularly as the majority of filming took place away from Birmingham City Centre, in places like Dudley, Manchester and Liverpool.
That said, Edward was very good as a host and informative, it was a pity that the state of Birmingham City Centre was very poor and did not provide a good image for the second city. The majority of people on the tour were from abroad and they were not impressed with the litter and dereliction that was evident. Such a shame.
All in all, interesting but not what I was expecting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gingie71
Apr 10, 2024
Disappointed and not what we expected - A stroll around Birmingham City highlighting the rubbish and homeless. Thought we would have seen some canals and locations where filmed but learnt a lot of filming was in Manchester and Liverpool. If you are up for a stroll around the shopping centre and highway then enjoy. Otherwise use Google. Was a long drive from Edinburgh for a taste of Birmingham. Seriously!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anna_l
Apr 2, 2024
Not interesting - Too much walking, lacking in engaging stories or useful information. I observed that others in the walking group were also not particularly exciting or energizing. I suspect that the reviews on the site are largely fabricated.
Review provided by Viator
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