At the heart of Victoria Square stands Birmingham's Council House, one of Birmingham’s finest Victorian buildings and still the seat of local government today. Built from 1874 and opened in 1879 during the era of Joseph Chamberlain, it remains a powerful symbol of the city’s civic life and the reminds us of Birmingham's role in preaching the civic gospel as part of the municipal revolution. The guided tour begins outside the main entrance, introducing the building’s history, architecture and role in Birmingham’s development. Inside, you’ll climb the grand staircase past statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, beneath an impressive dome. You’ll visit a selection of historic rooms and get to sit in the Council Chamber itself. We look at how local democracy has evolved. The tour concludes in the courtyard, uncovering the building’s lesser-known wartime role. This visit offers rare access to a working civic building and a clear insight into Birmingham’s past and present.