The main body of the house, which faces east, is flanked by projecting wings capped by square turrets, domes and spires. An axial tower, behind the slightly-protruding main facade, increases the sense of space.

 Although the hall is essentially baroque, its design exhibits typical northern European features such as the large bay windows and stepped Dutch gables; these vertical details contrast with the horizontal roof balustrades and open parapets.

 Aston Hall was sold by Mary Holte to James Watt Junior in 1817; after his death, it became a private leisure park and museum opened by Queen Victoria.  The park subsequently went downhill, gaining a reputation for loutish drunken behaviour, particularly after a glamorous female trapeze artist fell to her death in 1864.

The Queen then complained to the Mayor of Birmingham who bought the hall and grounds in order that they might be properly supervised. Aston Hall was the first British stately home to be purchased by a municipal authority.

Links: Aston  Sir Thomas Holte   Aston Hall Museum

The church of Saints Peter and Paul on Witton Lane is the only Birmingham church mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086); it was, however, rebuilt in sandstone by J.A.Chatwin in the 1880's.

The church features an apsidal chancel, a 7-bay nave with aisles illuminated by a clerestory, a south porch, west tower and spire. Only the west tower and spire, which are 15th century, and some 14th century stonework in the south aisle, predate the Victorian rebuild.

The interior contains monuments dedicated to the Holte, Erdington and Devereux families who once respectively owned Aston, Erdington and Castle Bromwich.