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Passing through Aston Park.

Aston Hall was closed, either due to an Aston Villa Women's game, or for other reasons.


Grade I listed building

Aston Hall


Listing Text

ASTON PARK
1. Aston PARK
5104 Aston B6
Aston Hall
[formerly listed as
Aston Hall (City of
Birmingham Museums)]
SP 08 NE 7/4 25.4.52
I
2.
1618-35 for Sir Thomas Holte. A major early Jacobean house on a grand scale
with a main block facing east, the forecourt enclosed by projecting flanking
wings each with a square turret breaking slightly from the inner face. Shaped
gables to front of wings and across symmetrical elevation of main block which
in surmounted by an axial tower rising in 3 stages from the balustraded parapet
to terminate in a 2 tier cupola: the dome on a square base over the original
lower tier. Surprisingly restrained ornament to the elevations of red brick
with darker brick diaper, the stone facings and quoins reserved for the corners.
Well proportioned mullion and transom windows, with 2 storey canted oriel
windows crested by strapwork to the ends of the wings. The central stone
doorway, giving immediately into the centre of the hall, has Doric columns,
entablature and cartouches above framed by strapwork and surmounted by ball
finials. An inscription bears the date 1618. Plans for the ground and first
floors survive in John Thorpe's book of drawings in the Soame Museum but there
are differences in execution, particularly the plan of the hall, a provision
for a polygonal end to the chapel on the south front and 3 bays on the west
the foundations of which survive. Alterations may well have taken place following
damage in the Civil War. Narrow wings abut the outer faces of the main forecourt
wings but were originally of one storey only at their east and west ends
heightened in the late C17. An arcaded loggia flanks the chapel projection
in the centre of the south front. The west range has a 2 storey main elevation
with a flat roof ro the Long Gallery on the first floor, the main block of
the hall rising on the third storey behind with 6 shaped gables and a chimney
stack with 6 grouped octagonal shafts. Archway to loggia at south end originally
one storey but as on east front heightened late C17, corresponding archway
added to north end in C18. The north elevation service/kitchen range with
considerable alterations to fenestration in the late C17 and C18 and with
early C19 service one storey additions. Very fine interior with wealth of
decorations in contrast to almost classical restraint of exterior. Much panelling
and architectural framework to doorways in great hall and to many of the monumental
chimney pieces in stone end alabaster. Richly carved strapwork balustrade
staircase in square well. One hundred and thirty six feet long, well preserved,
long gallery. Considerable amount of original decorative plasterwork to frieze
and ceilings but desceptively successful imitation Jacobean plasterwork carried
out for John Watt the younger, leasee of the Hall in the 1818 to 1848.

Listing NGR: SP0792989845

This text is from the original listing, and may not necessarily reflect the current setting of the building.

Passing through Aston Park.

Aston Hall was closed, either due to an Aston Villa Women's game, or for other reasons.


Entrance sign. It was closed.

Passing through Aston Park.

Aston Hall was closed, either due to an Aston Villa Women's game, or for other reasons.


Sign near Upper Thomas Street entrance to Aston Park.

Passing through Aston Park.

Aston Hall was closed, either due to an Aston Villa Women's game, or for other reasons.


Grade I listed building

Aston Hall


Listing Text

ASTON PARK
1. Aston PARK
5104 Aston B6
Aston Hall
[formerly listed as
Aston Hall (City of
Birmingham Museums)]
SP 08 NE 7/4 25.4.52
I
2.
1618-35 for Sir Thomas Holte. A major early Jacobean house on a grand scale
with a main block facing east, the forecourt enclosed by projecting flanking
wings each with a square turret breaking slightly from the inner face. Shaped
gables to front of wings and across symmetrical elevation of main block which
in surmounted by an axial tower rising in 3 stages from the balustraded parapet
to terminate in a 2 tier cupola: the dome on a square base over the original
lower tier. Surprisingly restrained ornament to the elevations of red brick
with darker brick diaper, the stone facings and quoins reserved for the corners.
Well proportioned mullion and transom windows, with 2 storey canted oriel
windows crested by strapwork to the ends of the wings. The central stone
doorway, giving immediately into the centre of the hall, has Doric columns,
entablature and cartouches above framed by strapwork and surmounted by ball
finials. An inscription bears the date 1618. Plans for the ground and first
floors survive in John Thorpe's book of drawings in the Soame Museum but there
are differences in execution, particularly the plan of the hall, a provision
for a polygonal end to the chapel on the south front and 3 bays on the west
the foundations of which survive. Alterations may well have taken place following
damage in the Civil War. Narrow wings abut the outer faces of the main forecourt
wings but were originally of one storey only at their east and west ends
heightened in the late C17. An arcaded loggia flanks the chapel projection
in the centre of the south front. The west range has a 2 storey main elevation
with a flat roof ro the Long Gallery on the first floor, the main block of
the hall rising on the third storey behind with 6 shaped gables and a chimney
stack with 6 grouped octagonal shafts. Archway to loggia at south end originally
one storey but as on east front heightened late C17, corresponding archway
added to north end in C18. The north elevation service/kitchen range with
considerable alterations to fenestration in the late C17 and C18 and with
early C19 service one storey additions. Very fine interior with wealth of
decorations in contrast to almost classical restraint of exterior. Much panelling
and architectural framework to doorways in great hall and to many of the monumental
chimney pieces in stone end alabaster. Richly carved strapwork balustrade
staircase in square well. One hundred and thirty six feet long, well preserved,
long gallery. Considerable amount of original decorative plasterwork to frieze
and ceilings but desceptively successful imitation Jacobean plasterwork carried
out for John Watt the younger, leasee of the Hall in the 1818 to 1848.

Listing NGR: SP0792989845

This text is from the original listing, and may not necessarily reflect the current setting of the building.

Another visit to Handsworth Park, to see the Handsworth Park Arts Trail.


In 1922 The Birmingham Civic Society designed and paid for the creation of a new formal garden which they called a "Sunk Garden" near the Grove Lane entrance. The site of the garden was previously an irregular hollow, but the executed design carries on the axial line of the park entrance and featured as its centrepiece a bronze sculpture of a child holding a lamb atop a Portland stone plinth. This was meant to symbolise the historic use of the land as glebe land. The statue was unveiled on 15 January 1937 and was designed by John P. Walker. Unfortunately it was stolen in 1988 and has not been recovered.


Tree lined path

Another visit to Handsworth Park, to see the Handsworth Park Arts Trail.


In 1922 The Birmingham Civic Society designed and paid for the creation of a new formal garden which they called a "Sunk Garden" near the Grove Lane entrance. The site of the garden was previously an irregular hollow, but the executed design carries on the axial line of the park entrance and featured as its centrepiece a bronze sculpture of a child holding a lamb atop a Portland stone plinth. This was meant to symbolise the historic use of the land as glebe land. The statue was unveiled on 15 January 1937 and was designed by John P. Walker. Unfortunately it was stolen in 1988 and has not been recovered.

Another visit to Handsworth Park, to see the Handsworth Park Arts Trail.


In 1922 The Birmingham Civic Society designed and paid for the creation of a new formal garden which they called a "Sunk Garden" near the Grove Lane entrance. The site of the garden was previously an irregular hollow, but the executed design carries on the axial line of the park entrance and featured as its centrepiece a bronze sculpture of a child holding a lamb atop a Portland stone plinth. This was meant to symbolise the historic use of the land as glebe land. The statue was unveiled on 15 January 1937 and was designed by John P. Walker. Unfortunately it was stolen in 1988 and has not been recovered.

Another visit to Handsworth Park, to see the Handsworth Park Arts Trail.


In 1922 The Birmingham Civic Society designed and paid for the creation of a new formal garden which they called a "Sunk Garden" near the Grove Lane entrance. The site of the garden was previously an irregular hollow, but the executed design carries on the axial line of the park entrance and featured as its centrepiece a bronze sculpture of a child holding a lamb atop a Portland stone plinth. This was meant to symbolise the historic use of the land as glebe land. The statue was unveiled on 15 January 1937 and was designed by John P. Walker. Unfortunately it was stolen in 1988 and has not been recovered.

Emma Barton blue plaque at South & City College Birmingham: Digbeth Campus.

The Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque on High Street Deritend, she was a pioneering portrait photographer.

Emma Barton blue plaque at South & City College Birmingham: Digbeth Campus.

The Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque on High Street Deritend, she was a pioneering portrait photographer.

Lawson Tait blue plaque at Norton Tower.

It appears to have been replaced, or cleaned since I last photographed it.


Better camera than in 2010, so a better zoom, from Cambridge Street.

On Water Street in the Jewellery Quarter.

Between Ludgate Hill and Livery Street.


32-35 Water Street


Birmingham Civic Society 2018 Centenary Renaissance Award. For the renovation and conversion of this former warehouse by Javelin Block.


Was the Riflemaker building.

Jaguar Land Rover Castle Bromwich factory at Castle Vale.

It is near Spitfire Island.

On this site was the Castle Bromwich Aerodrome from 1914 to 1958.


The factory is on Chester Road at Fort Parkway.


blue plaque - Spitfires made here 1939-1945.

I caught the no 61 bus from Selly Oak to New Frankley to get a Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque. After that had a short walk towards Rubery before waiting for a 63 back to Selly Oak.


At Arden Road.


New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council blue plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society in 2018.

I caught the no 61 bus from Selly Oak to New Frankley to get a Birmingham Civic Society blue plaque. After that had a short walk towards Rubery before waiting for a 63 back to Selly Oak.


At Arden Road.


New Frankley in Birmingham Parish Council blue plaque from the Birmingham Civic Society in 2018.


Just off the 61 bus, the shops, the plaque is down here, most shutters closed on a Sunday, are these shops open Monday to Saturday?

Blue plaque for SIFA Fireside on Allcock Street, Digbeth.


SIFA Fireside For their work with homeless and vulnerably housed people in Birmingham since 1980. Nominated by the pupils of Chandos Primary School, Highgate.


First found a printed one inside (seen through window of the door), then crossed the road to find the actual blue plaque above.


48-52 Allcock Street.

From the Birmingham Civic Society during the Centenary Year of 2018.

Blue plaque for SIFA Fireside on Allcock Street, Digbeth.


SIFA Fireside For their work with homeless and vulnerably housed people in Birmingham since 1980. Nominated by the pupils of Chandos Primary School, Highgate.


First found a printed one inside (seen through window of the door), then crossed the road to find the actual blue plaque above.


48-52 Allcock Street.

From the Birmingham Civic Society during the Centenary Year of 2018.

Blue plaque for SIFA Fireside on Allcock Street, Digbeth.


SIFA Fireside For their work with homeless and vulnerably housed people in Birmingham since 1980. Nominated by the pupils of Chandos Primary School, Highgate.


First found a printed one inside (seen through window of the door), then crossed the road to find the actual blue plaque above.


48-52 Allcock Street.

From the Birmingham Civic Society during the Centenary Year of 2018.

Blue plaque for SIFA Fireside on Allcock Street, Digbeth.


SIFA Fireside For their work with homeless and vulnerably housed people in Birmingham since 1980. Nominated by the pupils of Chandos Primary School, Highgate.


First found a printed one inside (seen through window of the door), then crossed the road to find the actual blue plaque above.


48-52 Allcock Street.

From the Birmingham Civic Society during the Centenary Year of 2018.

Birmingham Hospice, Selly Park.

For the Monica Pearce blue plaque near Raddlebarn Road.


Monica Pearce blue plaque unveiled in September 2020 by the Birmingham Civic Society.


Monica Pearce (1915 - 1993) Nurse and pioneer of hospice care in the Midlands. Founded St Mary’s Hospice in 1979. To mark the hospice’s 40th anniversary 2019