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

Arthur - A Legend For Our Times

Join us for a performance of a new imagining of King Arthur by Ruskin Mill Trust from esteemed playwright Peter Oswald. FREE Entry but booking is essential Hot food and refreshments available ( cash payments only)
The Bodging Project

The Hive are teaming up with local artist Chris Eckersley and the Craft Council to turn The Hive's gallery into a bustling woodworking workshop for four days!
Shakespeare - Everything to Everybody

The Hive is part of the Everything to Everybody project, which aims to bring Shakespeare to the people of Birmingham.
Verve Open Door - Poetry Open Mic Night

Verve Open Door is an open mic poetry event for all. The event is run monthly on the third Tuesday of every month.

Exhibition - SoundMuse

Created by musician, composer and teacher Nick Chamberlain, SoundMuse explores the mysteries of sound - from the earliest vibrations of the infant universe, to the dawn of human culture, when sound began to be organised into what we would now call music.
Exhibition - Fire in the Cut

Birmingham Canal Navigations seen through a Kaleidoscopic Looking Glass
Exhibition - Independent JQ Today

Independent JQ Today is a photographic exhibition by the artist Marta Kochanek. Marta was commissioned by The Hive to capture the thriving creative businesses of the Jewellery Quarter (JQ), Birmingham.
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.
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.

Hive Café and Bakery

The Hive Café 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 and try our delicious coffee!
Café & Bakery

Visit our fabulous organic café and bakery, open Tuesday - Friday. Winner of a GOLD Visit England Award for Excellence 2020.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Merlin Theatre

Transforming the Merlin Theatre has enriched the cultural life of Sheffield and provided cultural venue for Freeman College and Brantwood Specialist School..
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.
Fusion Cafe

Located on Arundel Street the award winning Fusion Café provides a warm and happy atmosphere for many delighted customers. Praised by the Guardian as one of the best cafes in the North.