Round towers in Birmingham, UK and Pisa, Italy

I finally got to go to Pisa to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa during a holiday to Florence and Tuscany in June 2018. While I didn't go up the tower (not worth paying for the short amount of time to go up). Was well worth seeing it and other landmarks in the area. A comparison with the Rotunda in Birmingham, UK. The Leaning Tower was stablised by 2008, while our Rotunda was renovated.

Birmingham has direct flights to Pisa, from Birmingham Airport to Pisa Airport. When I went it was with Jet2.com (organised via Riviera Travel) during June 2018. We had around 3 days in Florence, before setting off for Tuscany. On one of the touring days, after a wet morning in the city of Lucca, our coach took us to the city of Pisa in the afternoon. I remember being in Pisa, and seeing Ryanair or Jet2 planes flying over head!

First up a look at the Rotunda in Birmingham, seen over many years in the city centre, from different views.

The Rotunda, Birmingham

The Rotunda was built from 1961 to 1965, it was by the architect James A. Roberts, and was built with the original 1960s Bull Ring Shopping Centre. It was a 12 storey office block. It was revised to 25 storeys and had an abandoned rotating restaurant on the top floor (that was never built). In the 1980s and 1990s it was used to advertise Coca Cola (and resembled a giant can of Coke!).  It was given Grade II listed building status in 2000. The building was rebuilt between 2005 and 2008 by the architects Glenn Howells Architects and was renovated by Urban Splash. There is now apartments and a hotel in the building.

This view below was taken in August 2009 at the Bullring. Looking up from St Martin's Square on a very sunny day in Birmingham. This was around the time that I was getting photos of the Horatio Nelson statue with a blue sky.

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This view of the Rotunda was taken during December 2009 from St Martin's Queensway. A no 63 bus waits not far from Birmingham New Street Station (the refurbishment of the station had yet to start, but was done from 2010 to 2015). One of the "bridges" links the Rotunda side to the 2003 Bullring. From here you can head up the ramp to Rotunda Square, or head under the dark part of St Martin's Queensway to Moor Street Queensway and Birmingham Moor Street Station. Some maps also show this as Swan Passage (probably one of the poorly designed part of the modern Bullring).

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This view of the Rotunda was taken during August 2014 from Digbeth. Not far from Selfridges at the Bullring was a paint brush for the City of Colours Festival. They held a demonstation at the Bullring, and later had a day in Digbeth around the Custard Factory area painting street art on walls. Birmingham Coach Station and the BT Tower was also visible from here. Behind Digbeth Police Station is the Beorma Quarter. This was when the Adagio Aparthotel was under construction. St Martin's Church seen to the left.

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A view from the Library of Birmingham of the Rotunda and Ladywood House (either seen from the Discovery Terrace or the Secret Garden) during October 2015. Visible from up here also was the Premier Inn hotel near Birmingham New Street Station and the Charters Building.

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The Rotunda seen from Bordesley Street in Digbeth, during a sunny day in January 2018. Seen with the Bordesley Viaduct (with scaffolding) and Selfridges. Moor Street Car Park is usually a good place for roof top views of the city. You can also see the Rotunda if you are standing at platforms 3 or 4 at Birmingham Moor Street Station.

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A Secret Garden view from the Library of Birmingham during January 2019. Seen to the left of the Rotunda was St Andrew's Stadium, the home of Birmingham City Football Club. It's also possible up there to see The Hawthorns (home of West Bromwich Albion) or Villa Park (home of Aston Villa) on a clear day.

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Sit at the front of the no 50 bus on the top deck for this view of the Rotunda. Seen during February 2019 on Bradford Street in Digbeth. Heading up, you can see at the Bullring: St Martin's Church, Smithfield House and Selfridges. As well as the BT Tower. In Digbeth on the right is the Adagio Aparthotel (at the Beorma Quarter development) and Digbeth Police Station. I don't fancy going up that eyesore concrete car park on Moat Lane for views, so this bus view will do for now!

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Another bus view, this one from the no 63 bus at the top of the Bristol Road near the Belgrave Interchange. Looking up the Bristol Road to Southside. The Rotunda seen with the McLaren Building and the tower of Exchange Square phase 1. At Belgrave Interchange you can see the on going roadworks of the Birmingham Cycle Revolution for the cycleway being built down the Bristol Road in Edgbaston. It goes as far as the University of Birmingham along sections of the Dual Carriageway. It's all change on Bristol Street too. Bristol Street Motors stands alone, while the Monaco House site awaits development for New Monaco House. A church used to be down here too, but that was demolished for new housing being built on the St Luke's land (towards Sherlock Street).

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Now lets travel over 1000 miles to Italy. Fastest to fly from Birmingham Airport to Pisa Airport (the flight was around 3 hours with Jet2). As I said above we went to Florence first (where our first hotel was). The day after we went to Pisa. This was during late June 2018.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

In Italian the tower is called the Torre pendente di Pisa. It is the campanile or the freestanding bell tower of Pisa Cathedral. Work on the tower started in 1173 and was completed 200 years later in 1372. The tower began to lean during the 12th century. The tower is 55.86 metres high made of marble and stone. The tower was stabilised in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The tower has 294 or 296 steps. The tower lean has changed since the stabilisation work was completed by 2008.

It was well worth seeing, I was hoping to see it for years, before going on the Florence and Tuscany holiday. Could have paid in advance to go up, but for 30 minutes, the price wasn't worth it. So in the end, while there just explored the grounds of the Piazza dei Miracoli (Square of Miracles).

This first view with the Cathedral. One of my first views after entering the tourist heavy area!

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Slightly more close up and zoomed into the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Tourists try to do a selfie pose of "pushing" the tower over! I tried it myself, not that the photos of me got the desired affect! Being the summer, there was loads of tourists about.

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It realy is leaning! This view with the lawn and the tourists at the bottom. Can you see the people on the upper level balconies? There was other monuments about such as statues and sculptures.

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This view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa seen with the Fontana dei putti. The monumental fountain that welcomes the entrance of the square from Via Santa Maria is by Giuseppe Vaccà (base and fountain) and by Giovanni Antonio Cybei (the marble group of putti holding the coats of arms of Pisa and the Opera).

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I tried to head all the way around for different views. From this side to the right of the cathedral, it looks straight! Was also a Italian Army vehicle on site to keep tourists safe. I also saw them in Florence at different sites.

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Even more closer looking up! I think this is near the entrance to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Would guess that paying ticket holders would queue up around here?

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This view from the steps of Pisa Cathedral. We sat down here for a period. I also noticed planes flying overhead such as Ryanair and Jet2. It's really leaning from this view!

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It looks like here that the man on the left is leaning on the tower to push it over! While the man on the right is trying to push in left (for his own photo). Of course many tourists were trying the famous move for there holiday snaps! The tower also had a Republic of Pisa flag. That existed from the 10th to the 15th centuries. It was taken over by the Republic of Florence in 1402.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. My Twitter ellrbrown and Flickr ell brown.

Stirchley Village up and down the Pershore Road and Hazelwell Street

There is plenty of history in the Stirchley area of Birmingham. A big chunk of it is called Stirchley Village. Here we will be looking at buildings up and down the Pershore Road and Hazelwell Street. There was a big Co-operative Society presence in the village, and the Cadbury's were nearby in Bournville. Buildings include the Stirchley Baths, the British Oak pub and many more!

While there might be a lot of derelict shops on the Pershore Road in Stirchley, there are many historic buildings up and down the road in good condition. Some like the old swimming baths and the Friends Meeting House have been restored. Stirchley goes from Selly Park towards Cotteridge along the Pershore Road, and the road is used during the Great Birmingham Run every October and the Great Birmingham 10K in April or May. The village also has boundaries with Bournville and Kings Heath.

First up a look at the Sea Cadets building. It is not far from Cottteridge but it is in Stirchley. The Sea Cadet Corps Birmingham Sherbourne is located a 1667 Pershore Road. They were established in 1942. They help people learn the skills  to become a Sea Cadet and one day join the Royal Navy!

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Stirchley Community Primary School shares their building with the Selly Oak Constituency Office on the Pershore Road. There may have been a school here since the late 19th century. The building was built in 1879 by William Hale, on what was Stirchley Street. It had room for 215 pupils. Extensions built in 1883 and 1893, both by Hale, and in 1896 by Edward Holmes. (these details taken from a book called Victorian Buildings of Birmingham by Roy Thornton, published in 2006 - very useful for details of Victorian buildings).

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The British Oak is a public house on the Pershore Road in Stirchley. It is now near all that Seven Capital land awaiting development. The pub is a Grade II listed building. It was built from 1923 to 1924 by James and Lister Lea for the Mitchells and Butlers brewery. Red brick in Flemish bond, with diaperwork, brick mullion-transom windows and tile arches. It is a large public house in 17th century Domestic Revival Style. The pub also includes a garden loggia of the same date.

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The Dog Pool Hotel, also known as The New Dog Pool Hotel & Restaurant. On the Pershore Road in Stirchley, close to Selly Park. The pub has been closed down for years. Built in the 1920s, it was formerly the Hibernan. It replaced another Dog Pool Inn that used to be opposite. A wedged building at the corner of St Stephen's Road and the Pershore Road. The nearby road opposite is called Dogpool Lane. That leads to Dads Lane and onto Kings Heath. Some people (as a joke) vandalise the road sign to read "Dogpoo Lane"!

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Stirchley Public Baths was restored in 2015 and reopened in January 2016 as a Community Centre. It's on the corner of Bournville Lane and Hazelwell Street in Stirchley. It is a Grade II listed building. The swimming baths was built in 1910 by John P. Osborne. Red brick in Flemish bond and diaper pattern blue brick, and with stone dressings. Slate roofs. Built in the Edwardian Baroque style. For many years the building was closed before it was restored. Seen here a few days after it reopened to the public in January 2016.

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Stirchley Library is on the Bournville Lane in Stirchley. A short walk away from Bournville Station. It was built in 1905 for the Kings Norton & Northfield Urban District Council (years before the area became part of the City of Birmingham). A Grade II listed building. The Public Library was built in 1905 by John P. Osborne. Red brick in Flemish bond, with stone dressings and a slate roof. Built in the Freestyle. It is next door to the former swimming baths (now community centre).

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The Birmingham Civic Society had unveiled a blue plaque for Mary Cottrell (1868 - 1969) at the Stirchley Community Centre (the former public baths) during February 2019 - Mary Cottrell Blue Plaque unveiled. When I got off the no 47 bus early in the rain near the British Oak, I thought the plaque would be at the baths, but walking along in the torrential rain, saw it at this building, which was the former Central Bakery dated 1891. The building is now home to Em's Pet Food Store at 1395 Pershore Road and Isherwood & Co. at 1393 Pershore Road. DJF Bathrooms and Kitchens is to the right near the archway. It was formerly the site of a Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society Bakery. Mary Cottrell was the first woman Birmingham City Councillor for the Labour & Co-operative Party in 1917. She was also a board member of the Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society from 1909, and the Co-operative Wholesales Society in 1922.

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Fun runners on the Birmingham International Marathon which was held on Sunday 15th October 2017. It was the 1st new marathon in Birmingham (26.2 miles) since the 1980s. Held on the same day as the Great Birmingham Run (which started a little bit later). There was no marathon in 2018  (due to roadworks along the route) but the normal Great Birmingham Run and Great Birmingham 10K were still held in the city.

Views below of the fun runners running past the Pershore Road in Stirchley towards Bournville. Between the community centre and the former bakery.

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As usual the roads were closed to allow the run to take place.

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I got the train to Bournville that day to check out the Birmingham International Marathon in the Bournville and Stirchley areas. Bus routes would have been diverted while it was on.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Steelhouse Conservation Area: From Corporation Street to Steelhouse Lane

The Steelhouse Conservation Area is between Corporation Street and Steelhouse Lane. Starting approximately from Old Square towards James Watt Queensway. Buildings include the Victoria Law Courts, Methodist Central Hall, the former Steelhouse Lane Police Station and Birmingham Children's Hospital. The Old Fire Station near Aston University is part of the area too!

Corporation Street

The Victoria Law Courts on Corporation Street. Designed by Aston Webb & Ingress Bell who won a competition in 1886. It was built from 1887 to 1891. It is now the Birmingham Magistrates' Court. A Grade I listed building made of Red brick and terracotta. There is a statue of Queen Victoria by Harry Bates above the main entrance of the building. This view below seen in May 2009. You would see it if you walk between Aston University and the city centre shops. Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone during her Golden Jubilee year of 1887 and it was opened in 1891 by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

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The County Court on Corporation Street seen with a brilliant blue sky in May 2009. On the corner of Newton Street (which leads to Steelhouse Lane). A Grade II listed building built in 1882, by James Williamson Stone. It is in Italiante palazzo style  It has a Roman Doric porch on the left.

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One of Birmingham's derelict terracotta buildings is near the bottom of Corporation Street. The Methodist Central Hall runs down to Ryder Street (a pedestrianised cul-de-sac to James Watt Queensway). And the back is on Dalton Street. It is a Grade II* listed building. From 196 to 224 Corporation Street including 1, 3 and 5 Ryder Street. Built from 1903 to 1904 by E and J A Harper (Ewan Harper & James A. Harper) of Red brick and terracotta. There is many empty shop units down here, some have been let, and some of the units have been closed down by the landlord. The buildings future may include getting converted into a hotel. See this 2017 article on he Methodist Central Hall in the Birmingham Mail. This view from May 2009.

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The Pitman Building also known as the Murdoch Chambers and Pitman Chambers. Was originally a Vegetarian Restaurant. There is a plaque here for James Henry Cook who opened the very first Health Food Store in the UK on this site in 1898! A Grade II* Listed Building built from 1896 to 1897 by J Crouch and E Butler, partly for A.R Dean. Purple bricks and buff terracotta; tile roof. In an Arts and Crafts style.  Today there is lawyer or solicitor offices on the upper floors and fast food take away places on the ground floor including Dixy Chicken and Pepe's Piri Piri. Previous places here include Min Zu until 2008 / 2009. Angel's Cafe from 2011, and Zaytuna'z Diner from a period from 2015 to 2016. This view from August 2017.

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Today Boston Tea Party is in the Court Restaurant building at 184 Corporation Street (from at least 2014 onwards). On the corner with James Watt Street. The architect was G. H. Rayner and was built after 1882. For many years it was vacant. Was previously Yate's Wine Lodge. Made of brick and stone. Boston Tea Party are also in part of The Citadel building to the left at 190 Corporation Street. That was by W. H. Ward and built in 1891. A short lived period as a Vietnamese Restaurant called Viet An Restaurant from 2010 to 2011. This view from June 2016. Pizza Express is to the left at 4 The Citadel (not in this photo).

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Steelhouse Lane

Steelhouse Lane Police Station was to the far left of the rear side of the Victoria Law Courts. This building opened in 1933 as the Central Police Station, replacing a Victorian police station that was on the same site. West Midlands Police used it until it closed down for good in 2017. This view was from November 2009 when the police station was still in use. It was built in the neo-Georgian style but is not a listed building. The only part that is Grade II listed is the corner building on Coleridge Passage which dates to the late 19th century. That was the Cell Block built of Brick and terracotta.

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The Birmingham Children's Hospital opened here in 1998 in the building that was formerly the Birmingham General Hospital which had closed down in 1995. It was opened as the Diana, Princess of Wales Children's Hospital after the late Princess Diana who had died the year before in 1997. The General Hospital was built from 1894 to 1897 by William Henman. Was built in the Romanesque style of th Natural History Museum in London.  The rebuilt central entrance porch was built from 1995 to 1998. Various modern extensions have been built in the year since it became the Children's Hospitall. The building has never been listed. This view also from November 2009.

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This building also seen in November 2009 is a bit more recent than the others in this post as it dates to the 1960s. Fountain Court on Steelhouse Lane, has the four badges of the Inns of Court on the front above the entrance. They represent: Lincoln's Inn, Inner Temple, Middle Temple and Gray's Inn. The Fountain Court barristers' chambers was built between 1963 and 1964 by Holland W Hobbiss & Partners. A conservative brick classical block, with a majestic Bath stone cornice. It's between Printing House Street and Whittall Street on Steelhouse Lane.

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Seen on the corner of Newton Street and Steelhouse Lane is the Juvenile Court. As with photos above this view taken in November 2009. Following the Children's Court Act of 1908, it led to children's courts being established across the country. Dame Geraline Cadbury campaigned for such a court to be built in Birmingham, which her family donated to the city. This court was established by 1928 and opened in 1930. It was by Peacock & Bewlay, built of brick with stone dressings.

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Next door to the Juvenile Court is The Jekyll & Hyde pub at 28 Steelhouse Lane. The building was built in the 1960s. Was the site of The Queen's Head pub, which used to be ran by Mitchells & Butlers. A plain, tall four storey building. The pub was renamed from The Queen's Head to The Jekyll & Hyde in 2009, and it remains with that name today.  Island Bar group who owns the pub also owns The Victoria on Station Street near the Alexandra Theatre. This view was from February 2010.

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Corporation Street and Steelhouse Lane leads to the helipad built for the Birmingham Children's Hospital. On the other side of James Watt Queensway, running between Lancaster Circus and Aston Street is The Old Fire Station. Corporation Street continues beyond Lancaster Circus and the Lancaster Flyover, but that is now considered part of the Aston Expressway. The Old Fire Station is a Grade II listed building. Originally built in 1935 by Herbert Humphries and Herbert J. Manzoni. Red Flemish bond with Portland stone and concrete dressings with a pantile roof. After the Fire Station HQ closed in the 2000s, in lay empty for a few years before being converted into student accommodation. It opened in 2015. This view from April 2014 when the crane went up.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown

From Midland Bank to HSBC UK

HSBC UK have recently opened up their UK HQ right here in Birmingham at 1 Centenary Square at Arena Central, but did you know the bank originated as the Midland Bank founded right here in Birmingham! Former City Centre banks including one on New Street (used to later be Waterstone's is now Apple) and another one on Bennetts Hill (now the Cosy Club). HSBC bought the Midland in 1992.

The Midland Bank was founded in Birmingham in 1836 by Charles Geach, who used to have a branch on Union Street. Early international holdings included an early deal with the  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation in 1907 (there future owners). HSBC Holdings plc took over the bank in 1992, and phased the Midland Bank name out by 1999 in favour of HSBC Bank. Branches are now branded as HSBC UK.

For many years, this building on the corner of New Street and Stephenson Place was a Waterstone's store, it is now an Apple store. Photo below from 2009. The first Midland Metro extension was built round the back of this former bank building, finally opening in 2016. The building was built in 1868 - 69 and it was originally the Head Offices of the Midland Bank. It was designed in the classical style by Edward Holmes and an extension was built in 1875. It's now a Grade II listed building. When it was listed in 1970 it was known as the Midland Bank International Division. The rear entrance was altered when the Midland Metro extension was built, but that is now closed since Apple took over the building.

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While HSBC are not in the classical building that is now used by Apple, they are still at the other corner of New Street and Stephenson Place, close to the ramp up to Grand Central (previously the Pallasades). This branch seen in 2014, is now branded HSBC UK, like other HSBC banks around the country. Above it is a former office block, the Exchange Buildings, that was owned by Aviva. There is now a Premier Inn hotel up there, so not that far from Birmingham New Street Station. "Welcome to Birmingham New Street a branch of the world's local bank".

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Another former Midland Bank located in Birmingham City Centre is on the corner of Bennetts Hill and Waterloo Street in the Colmore Business District. It is now the Cosy Club. In 2009 (photo below) the building was occupied by Webb Gray & Partners Ltd (an architectural practice). This building is also a Grade II listed building and is even older than the former bank on New Street! Built in 1830 by Rickman and Eutchinson, it was altered in 1868 by H R Yeoville Thomason. Made of stone. It has giant Giant Corinthian columns. It was fully restored and the stone cleaned when it was converted into the Cosy Club in 2015.

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HSBC UK recently moved into their new UK HQ in late 2018. Construction of One Centenary Square began in 2015 and was completed in late 2018. Part of the Arena Central redevelopment opposite Centenary Square and on part of what was Broad Street. Historically, the site was previously where Central TV (ATV before that) had their studios in a former Masonic Hall. The hall was demolished in 2006, and the site lay empty until the mid 2010's. It's next to the Alpha Tower and the Municipal Bank (which is soon to be taken over by the University of Birmingham). This view from near the Amphitheatre of the Library of Birmingham. The redevelopment of the square might be completed by Spring or Summer 2019 (or later?).

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A view zoomed down from the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham. The view is up Newhall Hill and Frederick Street towards the Chamberlain Clock Tower. On the left is the Jewellery Quarter branch of HSBC UK. The 101 bus heads left onto Warstone Lane past the bank. There is a branch of Barclays Bank at the opposite corner.

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Recently been seeing other peoples photos on social media of this new painted advert for HSBC UK, so had to check it out myself. HSBC UK currently have an advertising campaign, where they are using four cities as well as a general advert. Including Birmingham, London, Manchester and Leeds. This of course is the Birmingham variant. Behind the Rose Villa Tavern on Warstone Lane, it is close to Vyse Street in what is now called Golden Square.

Not just home of the Brummie.
You're home to Heavy Metal, Mr Egg, Bostin Cobs, The Shire and the First Stamp.

You are Birmingham.

You're not an island. You're a Workshop of the World that's part of something far, far bigger. And you're our home.

HSBC UK Together we thrive

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Moseley Village around St Mary's Row and Alcester Road

A look around Moseley Village. Heading down St Mary's Row on the no 1 bus route. And up / down Alcester Road on the no 50 bus route (the no 35 turns down Salisbury Road). From St Mary's Church to The Fighting Cocks (a pub on the Alcester Road). Here you would find pubs and cafes. There is also a village green and the occasional Farmers Market on the last Saturday of each month.

For me I can get the no 1, 35 or 50 bus routes to or through Moseley Village. The 1 goes up and down St Mary's Row then down Salisbury Road. The 35 goes from Alcester Road down Salisbury Road. The 50 heads up and down the Alcester Road between Kings Heath and Balsall Heath. One day in the future it will be possible once again to get a train to or from Moseley (the land is next to St Mary's Church between St Mary's Row and Woodbridge Road on the site of the original station). The original station closed in the early years of WW2.

In something that doesn't normally happen on the 50, my bus was about to turn down Salisbury Road, while the other 50 (in the photo below) was turning from Salisbury Road onto Alcester Road towards Kings Heath. This was during April 2018 (as Moseley Road in Balsall Heath was closed at the time for a street market).

The row of shops on St Mary's Row is where on the last Saturday of each month is a Farmers Market (they also have stalls on Alcester Road up from Boots). There is a small green with benches a that triangle near the no 1 bus stop.

dndimg alt="Alcester Road Moseley bus diversion" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Village bus diversion Alcester Road (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen just as my bus turned onto Salisbury Road was The Fighting Cocks pub on the corner of Alcester Road (part of it runs onto St Mary's Row). It is on the corner of King Edward Road. Shops running north from William Hill up to the Co-operative Food.

dndimg alt="Alcester Road Moseley bus diversion" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Village bus diversion Alcester Road (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We start on St Mary's Row. It runs from Wake Green Road down the hill towards Salisbury Road (which itself goes down the hill towards Edgbaston Road in Edgbaston).

The most prominent landmark in Moseley Village is of St Mary's Church, the parish church of Moseley, located on St Mary's Row. Seen here in 2009 from the site of Moseley Station (hopefully the station will be built on the land behind the church in the 2020's). The church is a Grade II listed building and dates to the 15th century. Originally built as a chapel in the parish of Kings Norton. The body of the church was rebuilt in 1780 and altered by Thomas Rickman from 1823 to 1824. J A Chatwin added a north aisle in 1886 and his son P B Chatwin rebuilt the nave and south in 1910. War memorial cross on the left not far from the lychgate.

dndimg alt="St Mary's Church - St Mary's Row, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Marys Church St Marys Row Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The shops running down St Mary's Row in Moseley Village during August 2013, while Moseley in Bloom had potted many flowers around the village centre. Priya is an Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine restaurant on this side of the road. Next up is a barber shop called Fino and a newsagent called Village News. Pottery & Pieces was open at the time, but as of late 2018 it is being refitted as something else. A bit further down is a Wetherspoon Freehouse called The Elizabeth of York.

dndimg alt="Shops on St Mary's Row, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Marys Row Moseley shops.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Beyond St Mary's Church on this side of St Mary's Row used to be a Barclays Bank and a pub called the Bulls Head. This view was in 2011 when both were still open at the time. The bank eventually closed down at Costa Coffee opened there in 2017. While the Bulls Head is now a Cuban bar called The Cuban Embassy (opened in 2015).

dndimg alt="Barclays and Bulls Head - St Mary's Row, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Marys Row Moseley Barclays Bulls Head.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On the last Saturday of every month there is Farmers Market on St Mary's Row (the strip of road that leaves the main line and heads to Alcester Road). Normally when the road is open to traffic, vehicles can only leave Alcester Road for it and head onto St Mary's Row and not the other way round. If i'm on the no 1 bus on Saturday morning's I occasionally see the market. Seen here next to Sapori di Sole, Italian Food Specialists.

dndimg alt="Moseley Farmers Market" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Farmers Market Moseley Village (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view from the no 1 bus on St Mary's Row of the Farmers Market. They also have a bunch of stalls on the pavement on Alcester Road heading north from Boots.

dndimg alt="Moseley Farmers Market" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Farmers Market Moseley Village (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In July 2017, I saw this green bus on the village green from the no 1 bus on St Mary's Row. Off the Scale. It looks like they were selling clothes on the bus and also outside of it. Was a Leyland Leopard vintage bus. Being that it was summer, there was a nice display of flowers from Moseley in Bloom around the village centre.

dndimg alt="Green bus on the village green - St Mary's Row, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Marys Row Moseley Village green bus.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A general look at the village green from the no 1 bus on St Mary's Row in Moseley Village. Various shops on that side of St Mary's Row leading to the Alcester Road. Atlantis Fish Bar is now Flakes Fish & Chips. That changed over in 2014. In the middle is shop called Lewis's. Further to the left near The Fighting Cocks is Zen.

dndimg alt="Village Green - St Mary's Row, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Marys Row Moseley Village green.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

We will next move onto Alcester Road. From St Mary's Row heading north towards Woodbridge Road. Or south towards Kings Heath. Mainly the shops, pubs and café's closest to the centre of the village. This is the A435, the main route up from the Maypole and Kings Heath towards Balsall Heath and Highgate.

We start with The Village at 179 Alcester Road in Moseley Village. A pub and restaurant in a house built in 1896. A red brick building, it's to the right of a Telephone Exchange. Parlour & Dining.

dndimg alt="The Village - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Village Inn Alcester Road Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Next up is Moseley's Post Office building. Part of the building is also used by The Moseley Exchange (a community centre). The building probably dates to the early decades of the 20th century.

dndimg alt="Post Office - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Post Office Alcester Road Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen just before the traffic lights on the no 50 bus is Damascena Coffee House. They recently had a new door installed on the former coach house entrance. There is many café's around Moseley Village up the Alcester Road, mostly independent. Although there is now a Costa Coffee in the former Barclays Bank on St Mary's Row (that I've been to a few times). There is also now a Damascena in Harborne on the High Street and in the City Centre on Temple Row West. This one is at 133 Alcester Road.

dndimg alt="Damascena - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Damascena Alcester Road Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The most prominent pub landmark in Moseley Village has got to be The Fighting Cocks, on the corner of Alcester Road and King Edward Road, with part of the building going down St Mary's Row. It is a Grade II listed building. Built in 1903 by the architects T W F Newton and Cheatle. Made of ashlar and red brick. It has Arts and Crafts details and looks a bit like a Jacobean building. On the corner is a big compass showing the wind direction and a barometer showing whether it's going to be dry or wet! Is also a clock tower at the top.

dndimg alt="The Fighting Cocks - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Fighting Cocks Alcester Road Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the no 50 bus on the Alcester Road, looking down St Mary's Row. Was a banner up for the Mostly Jazz Funk Soul Festival during April 2015. This was promoting the event in Moseley Park which took place during July 2015. This part of St Mary's Row is usually where the Farmers Market goes. Festivals and other events in the park usually have entrance on Salisbury Road and Alcester Road (the park is usually private for local residents and only open to the public on open days). The artists entrance I think is on Salisbury Road.

dndimg alt="Mostly Jazz Funk Soul Festival " dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Jazz Funk Festival.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

An Irish themed bar on the Alcester Road called O'Neills. Part of a chain that you would find other O'Neills around the West Midlands. This view was in February 2011. They were there until 2014 or 2015 when they were replaced by the One Trick Pony Club. Halfords autocentre used to be to the right until about 2014. At one point it was thought that Boston Tea Party would move into the former garage, but Prezzo did instead in 2016. They lasted there until 2017, and was replaced by Sorrento Lounge in 2018. To the left was Thistle Estates and Consol until 2015. Pizza Express moved in there in 2016.

dndimg alt="O'Neills - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/ONeills Alcester Road Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Further up the Alcester Road is the Prince of Wales pub. It dates to the Victorian era. They are located at 118 Alcester Road. The Moseley Emporium is to the left. Was a derelict building site to the right for many years until Moseley Central was built there from 2017 to 2018.

dndimg alt="Prince of Wales - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Prince of Wales Alcester Road Moseley.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Moseley Emporium is an antiques shop to the left of the Prince of Wales pub on the Alcester Road in Moseley. They have three floors of antiques and quality reproduction furniture. It looks like they share the building with the Prince of Wales! They are at 116 Alcester Road. There website describes their building as a beautiful Victorian villa.

dndimg alt="Moseley Emporium - Alcester Road, Moseley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Moseley Emporium Alcester Road Moseley.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos by Elliott Brown.

More Harborne Village architecture (Part 2)

Part 2 of my look around the architecture in Harborne. As with part 1 around the High Street and surrounding roads. Mostly built up here from the Victorian period onwards as Harborne became an affluent suburb next to Edgbaston. This time starting with a look at Harborne Library and some alternate views of buildings I posted in part 1 (or later on in the post).

Follow this link for Harborne Village architecture part 1. Well it seemed like my first post on Harborne was popular so lets continue shall we!

We first start with a pub that has had a few name changes over the years. Looking on Google Maps Street View, this pub was called Varsity from at least 2009 (or before) until 2011. From 2011 to 2015 it was called The Proverbial (seen below in 2014). From 2015 to present it has been a Slug & Lettuce. 186 - 196 High Street, Harborne. At the time of the photo Lloyds Pharmacy was opposite, but that is now Jhoots Pharmacy.

dndimg alt="The Proverbial - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Proverbial High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Rumours is a hair salon at the corner of North Road and the High Street in Harborne at 51 High Street. It has a distinctive corner turret.

dndimg alt="Rumours - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Rumours High Street Harborne.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some views of Harborne Library. The following history was taken from this link Harborne Library history. The building was built as a Masonic Hall in 1879 by the architect A. E. Phipson (who lived in Harborne and designed several buildings around Harborne during the same period). It had originally housed the Harborne Lodge, Tudor 1792 of the Province of Staffordshire. The council as the Corporation of Birmingham bought the building in 1892 and some changes had to be made before it was opened as a Public Library. It also includes part of the next building to the right.

dndimg alt="Harborne Library" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Harborne Library High Street Harborne (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The close up view of the library. You can see that is still says "Masonic Hall" above the middle first floor windows. The public couldn't browse the shelves for books until 1925. Before that time they had to request books from the counter. There was major alterations to the library during the 1960s. It was during that time when the library expanded into the next building. The last major refurbishment took place from 2005 until 2006.

dndimg alt="Harborne Library" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Harborne Library High Street Harborne (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the better view of The Junction pub (built 1903) at the junction of Vivian Road (near Waitrose) and the Harborne High Street (on the right). There is a pedestrian crossing in the middle with a zebra crossing. 212 High Street. There website describes it as Victorian but with a 1903 date it is from the Edwardian period. It has distinctive red brick terracotta and stone detailing.

dndimg alt="The Junction - Vivian Road and High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Junction Vivian Road and High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This pub is called the Harborne Stores and is a Traditional Free House. 109 High Street. It's now part of the Stonegate Pub Company. Near the corner of Station Road on the High Street in Harborne.

dndimg alt="Harborne Stores - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Harborne Stores High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of the High Street is no's 20 to 26 High Street in Harborne. No's 20, 22 and 24 used to be for many years Fishers Surveyors and Property Managers (established in 1913), but it looks like they have moved out. Cafe Boutique & Cake Shop is at no 26. Looks very much like a Victorian set of terraced houses.

dndimg alt="20 - 26 High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/20 to 26 High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Harborne Market used to be in this building betwen the High Street and Vivian Road. It was open until around 2011, and was closed / derelict from 2012 until 2015 when Paradice Gelateria opened. Webster & Co Solicitors used to be on the floors above, but seems like it hasn't been there for years, I'm not sure if they were open in the later years of the market being open on the ground floor.

dndimg alt="Paradice Gelateria - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Paradice Gelateria High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view of Paradice Gelateria from Vivian Road in Harborne, was the rear side of the now former Harborne Market. The Harborne Market Cafe used to occupy the units on the left. From Google Maps Street View, the exterior of the cafe wasn't much to look at. Temporary wooden doors that looked like hoardings. But they had signs outside until 2011 saying that they were open. By 2012 it looks like they had closed down.

dndimg alt="Paradice Gelateria - Vivian Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Paradice Gelateria Vivian Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

If you get off the 11C on Harborne Park Road you might see the modern spire of this church on Vivian Road. It's St Mary's Church, Harborne and was built between 1875 and 1877 (the Victorian church building not including the later 20th century buildings).  It was founded by the Passionists in 1875 and is currently served by the Augustinians.

dndimg alt="St Mary's RC Church - Vivian Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St Marys RC Church Vivian Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look at The New Inn. In part 1 I posted a view of it from Greenfield Road, so I popped back to Harborne and took this new photo of the view of it on Vivian Road. A pub has been on this site since at least 1845 (or earlier). The pub has been refurbished in recent years and has had new pub signs installed.

dndimg alt="The New Inn - Vivian Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The New Inn Vivian Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The next pub is The White Horse on York Street in Harborne. Seen below in 2015. Ansells ran the pub back in the 1960s. By 2015 it was a Festival Ale House.

dndimg alt="The White Horse - York Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The White Horse York Street Harborne (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The second photo of The White Horse shows it during November 2018. By then it was under new ownership. Ostler's took over in 2017.

dndimg alt="The White Horse - York Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The White Horse York Street Harborne (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is many ghost signs around Birmingham, and Harborne is no exception. This one can be found on War Lane for A.W. Reynolds & Son who did Building Repairs. They were based 262 High Street (assume on the Harborne High Street). It was on the side of a house. It's possible that they were based there at War Lane and at High Street as well.

dndimg alt="Reynolds ghost sign - War Lane, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Reynolds ghost sign War Lane Harborne.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen on Park Hill Road in Harborne is Elizabeth Bretherton. In a building on the corner called Acorn House. I'm not sure if it is an office or an art gallery, but is part of a set of terraced houses. One of which in the middle says Kingscote Place 1883. Close to Nursery Road.

dndimg alt="Elizabeth Bretherton - Park Hill Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Elizabeth Bretherton Park Hill Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Over on the corner of North Road and Park Hill Road used to be Sue Howells Art. This view was in 2016, but after being there for at least a decade or more (Google Maps Street View only goes to 2008), it was replaced in 2017 by Barberology. I saw this shop in March 2016 and by September 2016 it looks like Barberology were being fitted out in this shop.
Next door to Sue Howells on Park Hill Road was ToTo Hair until 2012. Comida took over in 2015 until 2017. Caffiened took over in 2018.

dndimg alt="Sue Howells Art - North Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sue Howells Art North Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Tour of the Harborne Village architecture

A look around the architecture in Harborne Village mostly from the Victorian, Edwardian and inter war eras. There are many red brick examples, schools and former and current schools. Some that used to be banks. Mostly the Harborne High Street and some of the surrounding roads.

Harborne is the next suburb along close to Edgbaston and Selly Oak. You can get the no 11A, 11C or 23 or 24 NXWM buses here. The High Street in Harborne Village is a bit like Birmingham's version of London's Shoreditch. This is the modern Harborne Village which is around the High Street area now, while the original village was around St Peter's Church Harborne.

First up a look at this former Victorian bank building on the corner of the High Street in Harborne with Albany Road. For many years it has been a Zizzi Italian restaurant. May have once been a Lloyds Bank here. Not listed. A red brick building that slightly looks like it's in the Georgian style.

dndimg alt="Zizzi on the Harborne High Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zizzi Harborne High Street.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Former primary school on the High Street, now The School Yard. With Boston Tea Party on the left and Prezzo to the right. It is on the corner with York Street.  A Grade II listed building as The Clock Tower Community Education Centre, it dates to around 1885 by the architects Martin and Chamberlain. Red brick and terracotta with minimum stone dressings; tile roof with decorative ridge tiles. It was the Harborne High Street Junior School from the 1880s until 1960. See this Birmingham Post article from 2014. Before it was converted in 2014 it was an adult education centre known as The Clock Tower.

dndimg alt="Former Girls School - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Former Girls School High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Junction is a red brick and terracotta pub with stone details dating to 1903. On the corner of the High Street and Vivian Road. This view was from the High Street. The best view is probably from the juncton of Vivian Road and the High Street at the pelican crossing, than the view I got below in 2014. There is a set of Victorian urinals (no longer in use) to the right of here (not far from the no 23 and 24 bus stops).

dndimg alt="The Junction - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Junction High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Vine is one of the pubs on the Harborne High Street. It's to the right of the Royalty. They are at 310 High Street and is part of the Sizzling Pubs chain.

dndimg alt="The Vine - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Vine High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Royalty was a cinema built in 1930 by the architect Horace G. Bradley. It is a Grade II listed building, listed as the The Royalty (Gala Bingo).  A red brick structure. It became a bingo hall from 1930 and was still being used for bingo by the time it was listed in 2011. But by 2014 it had closed down and is now quite derelict. A recent fire didn't help, nor the threat of demolition (only 7 years after it was listed). Gala Bingo must have closed down before 2012, as the rear of the site was being used for a Hand Car Wash. The fire was in September 2018 and demolition started October 2018.

dndimg alt="Royalty - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Royalty High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Green Man is a pub near the end of the Harborne High Street, close to the Edgbaston border. The building was probably built in the 1930s. There is a pub sign with a man and his dog on the left hand side of the building.

dndimg alt="Green Man - High Street, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Green Man High Street Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Leaving the High Street behind and a look at buildings on other nearby roads.

Bell Tower seen on War Lane in Harborne. A red brick building, possibly from the Victorian era. I've not been able to find out any information on the building but think it is now used as residential flats.

dndimg alt="Bell Tower - War Lane, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bell Tower War Lane Harborne.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

These shops seen on the corner of Greenfield Road and Vivian Road in Harborne. R. O. Price, F.G.I and Provisions and Prelude Hair. A stone on the corner on the first floor names it Harborne Quadrant with the date of 1861. For me, this is on the walk from the High Street towards Harborne Park Road to catch the 11A (or after getting off the 11C and walking towards the High Street).

dndimg alt="Greenfield Road and Vivian Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Greenfield Road and Vivian Road Harborne.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The New Inn is on the corner of Vivian Road and Greenfield Road in Harborne. This is the side on Greenfield Road. The pub may have been on this site as early as 1845. A traditional pub, they have had a recent refurbishment.

dndimg alt="The New Inn Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The New Inn Harborne Vivian Road Harborne.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen on Serpentine Road in Harborne (not far from the High Street) is The Harborne Village Social Club and Institute. Mostly just known as The Harborne Village Social Club.

dndimg alt="The Harborne Village Social Club and Institute - Serpentine Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Harborne Village Social Club and Institute Serpentine Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On Station Road is Harborne Primary School. Originally opened in 1902 as an Infant School during the Edwardian era. The Junior School followed in 1912. The two schools merged in September 2000 forming the Harborne Primary School it is today. A red brick building, it is on the corner of Emerson Road and Station Road.

dndimg alt="Harborne Primary School" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Harborne Primary School Station Road Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Still on Station Road, we get to a building / house called The Library at no 71. I'm not sure if it ever was a library, but the current Harborne Library is on the High Street.

dndimg alt="The Library - Station Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Library 71 Station Road, Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Next up the former Harborne Fire Station. At the junction of Gordon Road and Rose Road in Harborne. A Grade II listed building built in 1907. Now used as flats / apartments. Red brick with stone ashlar dressing; gabled and hipped plain tile roofs. There is a sculpture of a fireman on the right hand side of the building, where the former doors for the fire engines used to be.

dndimg alt="Harborne Fire Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Harborne Fire Station.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

On Gordon Road in Harborne is a new cafe called Caffiened, it opened in November 2017. They seem to have added a modern wooden look at the bottom complimenting the original red brick look on the upper floors.

dndimg alt="Caffiened - Gordon Road, Harborne" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Caffiened - 4 Gordon Road, Harborne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I'd add Harborne Library, but the only view I've got of it is from the side / close up. So if I return to Harborne, I'll take a new view of it. So expect to see that in a Part 2.

Photos by Elliott Brown.

Calthorpe Estates Edgbaston white Regency / Victorian villas / town houses Part 2

A second selection of the white Georgian / Regency / Victorian villas / town house in Calthorpe Estates Edgbaston. Mostly the posh looking area between the Hagley Road and Calthorpe Road. There is so many fine examples now. Mostly they are now offices. There are also examples on St James Road and George Road, which are towards the Islington Row Middleway and Wheeleys Road.

For my first post follow this link Calthorpe Estates Edgbaston Part 1.

Hagley Road

The Calthorpe Estates offices is located at 76 Hagley Road. On the corner with Highfield Road. The building dates to the early 19th century and is a Grade II listed building. White stucco with a slate roof. The Calthorpe Estates manages over 1600 acres of land across Edgbaston in Birmingham. Seen around November 2015 when they had Christmas reindeer on the Highfield Road side. You would normally find them around Edgbaston during the Christmas season each year.

dndimg alt="Calthorpe Estates - 76 Hagley Road, Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Calthorpe Estates - 76 Hagley Road.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the earliest buildings of the Calthorpe Estates. Regency House was built from 1819 until 1820 and was designed by Thomas and Joseph Bateman for John Harris. Only the regency façade is Grade II listed, as the building behind was demolished and rebuilt in 1971 by John Madin Design Group (JMDG) for Rentcroft Investments (and that is of no special historic interest). A terrace of six former houses, now offices. No 97 to 107 Hagley Road. It is built of brick covered in whitewashed stuco with a slate roof.

dndimg alt="Regency House - Hagley Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Regency House Hagley Road(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Praza an Indian Restaurant with Cocktail Bar & Dining at 94 and 96 Hagley Road. Grade II listed building. The building dates to the early 19th century and was built as a pair of semi detached houses. Stucco with a slate roof.

dndimg alt="Praza - 94 and 96 Hagley Road, Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Praza 94 and 96 Hagley Road.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Cadbury Brothers

For my post on the Cadbury Brothers follow this link Cadbury Brothers: George and Richard Cadbury.

17 Wheeleys Road was the former home of Richard Cadbury who lived here from 1861 until 1871. Blue plaque from English Heritage. The houses at 17 and 18 Wheeleys Road were built in 1829 and have first floor Ionic pilasters.

dndimg alt="17 Wheeleys Road former home of Richard Cadbury" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Richard Cadburys house Wheeleys Road Edgbaston.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

At 32 George Road near the corner of St James Road was the former home of George Cadbury. Who lived here from 1872 until 1881 according to the blue plaque from English Heritage. The house is a Grade II listed building and was built in 1820 as a detached 2 storey stucco villa. The house has fluted Tuscan columns to the doorcases.

dndimg alt="32 George Road Edgbaston former home of George Cadbury" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/George Cadburys house on George Road Edgbaston.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

St James Road and George Road

The Roundhouse at 16 and 17 St James Road. A Grade II listed building. It's a good example of a stucco cottage combining picturesque Italian rustic manner with gothic-Tudor details. Was originally built as a freestanding folly in 1810 in the grounds of 29 George Road. Wings added to garden front and wings to roadside added in 1830. Further additions of a service wing around 1860-70.

dndimg alt="The Roundhouse - 16 and 17 St James Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/The Roundhouse 16 and 17 St James Road.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Over on George Road is St James Place. It's a Grade II listed building, now offices. Originally built as the Original House and Service Coach House Wings at the Skin Hospital. Was built between 1830 and 1840 as a substantial Grecian villa of 2 storeys with 5 bays and is stucco faced.

dndimg alt="St James Place - George Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/St James Place George Road Edgbaston.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back to St James Road with what is now Busy Bees Nursery. The building isn't listed but looks of the 19th century period of the other Calthorpe Estates buildings in the area. Is close to Calthorpe Road and the HSBC building is behind it.

dndimg alt="Busy Bee Day Nursery - St James Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Busy Bees Day Nursery St James Road Edgbaston.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hallfield School

This is Hallfield School and it has a couple of white stucco buildings that you might see on the no 1 bus route. The school was founded in 1879, and they will be 140 years old in 2019! The white stucco school buildings are located near Church Road.

First up, this building used as a Day Nursery. Grade II listed building dating to about 1850. Listed as the Main Block to Hallfield School. It has a rusticated porch with round-arched entrance framed by coupled pilasters.

dndimg alt="Hallfield School - Church Road, Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hallfield School Church Road Edgbaston (1) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the main building of Hallfield School, if you are on a train on the Cross City line, or heading up or down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, you might be able to see the back of the school buildings from the playing field. While these buildings are not listed, it dates to about 1860 and was originally a large villa called Beech Lawn.

dndimg alt="Hallfield School - Church Road, Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hallfield School Church Road Edgbaston (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view of Beech Lawn, now the main building of Hallfield School from the towpath of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Next to the canal is what is now known as the Cross City line. The Edgbaston Tunnel is a short distance away and it goes under Church Road. Normally from the train, you can normally just see the playing fields, as these Victorian brick railways walls get in the way of the view! You can't tell from here that the building is now part of a school!

dndimg alt="Hallfield School from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hallfield School near the Edgbaston Tunnel.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Calthorpe Road

This is 20 Calthorpe Road, close to St James Road. Currently it is To Let but formerly it was occupied by DG Mutual. A Grade II listed building. It is an early Calthorpe Estates villa dating to about 1820 to 1830. Grecian stucco symmetrical 3 bay elevation on 2 storeys. There is a former coach house on the left.

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Next up is Al Rayan Bank at 24 to 25 Calthorpe Road. A Grade II listed building. Built as a pair of semi-detached Calthorpe Estate stucco villas in the year 1840. There is a Roman Doric doorway at no 25.

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The next building down is a Grade II listed building at 26 Calthorpe Road. Rubric Lois King Solicitors. A stucco villa built in 1840. A detached version of the villas at Nos 24 and 25. Doric column porch.

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The RoSPA are at 27 and 28 Calthorpe Road, also a Grade II listed building.  These buildings date to about 1830 and is a pair of 3-storey semi-detached stucco Calthorpe Estate villas. No 27 was altered in 1850, but also has a former coach house absorbed into a modern wing. No 28 was unaltered with an original entrance porch of unfluted Tuscan columns.

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Photos by Elliott Brown