The Hive JQ

The Hive is a community hub for Birmingham in an historic building, with an award-winning organic café and bakery, craft workshops, exhibitions and event spaces.

Our Awards

Awards

This film, shared by the West Midlands Growth Company, gives a lovely summary of what makes us award-winning!

Latest

JQ Heritage Film Squad

We are making a series of short films which explore enjoyment and inclusivity. Using the Jewellery Quarter as inspiration, our squad of film makers will be considering how we interact with the world around us.
We Care Cards

As part of The Hive and Birmingham More In Common's winter anti-loneliness campaign called WE CARE COASTERS, we are looking for children and young people to design and make WE CARE CARDS to give to Care Home residents and to isolated people within our communities.
Exhibition - Vulcans Forge

Our first exhibition of 2021: 'Vulcans Forge' showcases photographs of a two year project from 1977 by Janine Wiedel, taken in and around Birmingham's industrial heart.
New Horizons

25th September - 2nd October 2020: Undergraduate Degree show by students from South and City College Birmingham

Exhibition - Vulcans Forge

Our first exhibition of 2021: 'Vulcans Forge' showcases photographs of a two year project from 1977 by Janine Wiedel, taken in and around Birmingham's industrial heart.
Our Rooftop Microfarm

In 2017 Argent College students and staff established a “microfarm” on the rooftop, providing produce for the college kitchen and Hive Café.
Event - The Real Junk Food Project Central

Join us for a new monthly takeover of The Hive Café by the The Real Junk Food Project Central
The Hive wins GOLD

We are delighted to announce that the Hive Café and Bakery has won Gold at the national 2020 VisitEngland Awards. During an online ceremony, the Hive claimed the top prize in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism category, recognising tourism businesses committed to being sustainable, responsible and ethical in how they operate and interact with customers, the wider community and the environment.
Researching the past; volunteers delve into the archives

One of our volunteers Surura tells us a little bit about her journey to discover more about our building and neighbouring buildings in the Jewellery Quarter.

Plan your visit

The International Festival of Glass takes place at venues across the Stourbridge Glass Quarter. Entry to all Festival venues is free, however some activities and events will have a charge.
Hive Cafe and Bakery

The Hive Cafe and Bakery provides a warm welcome in the heart of Birmingham's famous Jewellery Quarter, with delicious pastries, cake, bread and meals. Come and visit us. Try our coffee! Please visit us at The Hive subsite. www.thehiveJQ.org
Why we exist
Our story

The seeds of Ruskin Mill Land Trust were sown in 1967 when Robin and Barbara Gordon transplanted their young sons Aonghus and Alisdair from the hothouse of the Ruskin Centre for Art Appreciation in Venice to the cold frame of a dilapidated former textile mill in Gloucestershire.
Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..
Freeman Biodynamic Garden at High Riggs

Located in Stannington bordering the Peak District the Freeman Biodynamic Garden provides fruit and vegetables for Freeman College, Brantwood Specialist School and the Fusion Café.
British Glass Biennale 2019 - selected artists

The Ruskin Mill Land Trust, in association with the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers, is delighted to announce the artists for the 2019 British Glass Biennale exhibition. Over two days an expert panel of judges chaired by Róisín de Buitléar and comprising of Dr Jane Cook, Monica Guggisberg, Angel Monzon, and Cathy Shankland, selected the very best of this year’s entries, all of which achieved a very high standard.
Vale Head Farm

Vale Head Farm was an equestrian centre when we purchased it, and over the years hard work has seen it bloom into a beautiful biodynamic farm.
Aonghus Gordon MEd, FRSA, Executive Chair

Aonghus has a distinguished track record of development and leadership of several ground-breaking charities that provide high quality environments and opportunities for people with disabilities. He is passionate about the need for people to break out of dependency and marginalisation, believing that everyone has the potential to shape their own future.
2015 British Glass Biennale

2015 British Glass Biennale