St Mary's Convent of Mercy

St Mary's is an 1841 gothic revival convent by the architect Augustus Welby Pugin. The convent, which still houses a small community of Sisters, also has historical connections with the Hardman family of Hardman & Co. stained glass fame. Come and be guided around the convent, see some of the original features and hear how the Sisters have used the convent building over time. Learn about the story of the Sisters of Mercy through our exhibition trail of archives and artefacts. Discover more about the nursing role of the Sisters in the Crimean War, about the Sisters as teachers, and gain an insight into Catholic Religious life from the 1830s to the present. Discover the beautiful chapel and the bedroom of our foundress, the Venerable Catherine McAuley.

Timings

Friday 11 September:

10.30 for morning tour. 14.00 for afternoon tour

Saturday 12 September:

10.30 for morning tour. (no afternoon tour)

Location & directions

St. Marys Convent, 98 Hunters Road, Birmingham, West Midlands, B19 1EB

Directions:

Car: From City Centre follow A41 up Constitution Hill to Hockley Circus roundabout. Take 3rd exit and continue up Hunters Road and Convent is on right-hand side. Train: Birmingham New Street or Snow Hill Station. Either catch a bus from The Priory Queensway or take a taxi. Bus: From the city centre catch no. 16 to Charleville Road or no. 74 to Richmond Road. Both stops are just after Hockley Circus roundabout. It is then a short walk to the convent.

Contact on day:

Jenny Smith

Telephone number:

+441215543271

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking required

Booking conditions:

Please pre-book your tour. If a booked tour is no longer required, please inform us at the earliest opportunity so that the place can be offered to somebody else.

Booking contact name:

Denise Whittaker

Booking telephone number:

+441215543271

Booking email:

[email protected]

Booking opens:

15 Aug 2026 09:00 AM

Booking closes:

09 Sep 2026 12:00 PM

Accessibility details

Lift to all floors, but one room is missing a ramp and will be inaccessible to wheelchairs. Part of the tour is in a stepped cloister which can only be partially accessed by wheelchairs. There is one step into the chapel. Free roadside residential parking available near the convent. Limited disabled car parking space in convent car park. Please state on booking if you need to use this.

Additional information

Visitors will have the opportunity to meet some of the Sisters resident in the Convent.

Max number of people:

24

Estimated duration:

1 hour(s) 30 minute(s)

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