Soho House

Admission Free

Soho House was once a regular meeting place for some of the greatest minds of the 18th century.

It was in the dining room of this elegant house that Matthew Boulton, one of the country's first industrialists, entertained the leading scientists and inventors of the industrial age.

Boulton’s guests included James Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood and Joseph Priestly.

They were collectively known as the Lunar Society and Soho was one of the venues where they discussed ideas and presented discoveries that continue to affect our lives today.

Matthew Boulton lived in the house for 43 years until he died in 1809. During that time the area surrounding the house was developed into a 200-acre estate and the country’s first major factory was created.

Boulton’s Soho Manufactory made gilded ormolu decorative objects like clocks and candelabra as well as silverware and the cheaper Sheffield plate wares, which offered an affordable alternative to silver for the growing middle-class.

Opening times

• Open from 4 April 2009 to 1 November 2009
• Tuesday to Sunday 12.00am - 4.00pm
• Closed Mondays except Bank Holidays

Getting here

Soho House can be found just off the A41 Soho Hill/Soho Road in Hockley - a main route into central Birmingham. The house has its own car park

The road is well-served by a number of frequent bus routes including the 74, 78 and 79.

Address
Soho Avenue (off Soho Road)
Handsworth
Birmingham
B18 5LB

Matthew Boulton 2009

A year long festival celebrating the life, work and legacy of Matthew Boulton (1728-1809). Visit the Matthew Boulton 2009 website to find out more.

To find out about exhibitions, events, activities at Soho House please visit the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery website.

Getting married at Soho House.