Aston
Aston is an area in north Birmingham, roughly two miles from the city centre. The western part of Aston is in the Aston council ward and the eastern part is in the Nechells council ward. The surrounding areas are Birchfield, Eastside, Nechells, Newtown, Perry Barr and Witton.
Aston is a corruption of Est Ton which means east settlement, the Saxon village of Aston having been established on the eastern side of Dudley Manor.
Aston is recorded as an important manorial estate in the Domesday Book (1086). The manor house was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Holte in the early 17th century.
Aston became urbanised during the 19th century as an industrial corridor evolved alongside the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the Grand Junction Railway. The manorial farmland and deer park were developed for housing whilst a few remnants (most notably Aston Park) were preserved as green spaces.
Aston is still characterised by pre-1919 terraced housing and an industrial belt of warehouses and workshops. Many local landmarks were cleared to make room for the Aston Expressway which links the city centre to Spaghetti Junction. Aston Hall was preserved as part of a conservation area that also includes the parish church.
SS Peter and Paul
Saints Peter and Paul on Witton Lane is the only church in Birmingham that was mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086); it was, however, largely rebuilt in sandstone by J.A.Chatwin in the late 19th century.
The church consists of an apsidal chancel, a 7-bay nave & aisles with clerestory, a south porch and 15th century west tower and spire. The only parts that predate the Victorian rebuild are the tower, the spire and some reset 14th century stonework on the south aisle.
The church contains monuments to the Holte, Erdington and Devereux families who once lorded over Aston, Erdington and Castle Bromwich respectively.
Links: Landmark Churches
- Aston Conservation Area - Aston Church WebsiteSacred Heart and St Margaret Mary RC
Sacred Heart and St Margaret Mary (1922-34) on Witton Road is a Roman Catholic church in the Italian Romanesque style with a richly-decorated mosaic and marble interior.
Witton Road B6 6EG - 0121 327 0505 -
Map
Christ Church Baptist Chapel
Christ Church Baptist Chapel (1864) was designed in the Victorian Gothic Style by James Cranstone and built in red brick and terracotta at the junction of
Victoria Road and Witton Road.The west tower boasts a landmark conical spire with pinnacles; the interior is lit by roundels and lancets; the chapel is a grade two listed building; it was recently converted into flats.
St Paul's Convent
St Paul's Convent on Little Oaks Road is a community of the Sisters of Charity of St Paul.
50 Little Oaks Road B6 6JX - 0121 328 9626 -
Map
Religious
Orders in Birmingham
-
Sisters of Charity Website
Missionaries of Sacred Heart
The Missionaries of The Sacred Heart are a religious Order of priests and brothers on Ettington Road.
157 Ettington Road B6 6ED -
MapMissionaries of Sacred Heart Website
Five Hospitalised After Car Crash on Aston Expressway
A woman, child and three men were hospitalised with back and neck injuries after a van and 3 cars collided on the southbound carriageway of the Aston Expressway at around noon on Friday 19th August 2011 (News Headlines 20/08/11).
Motor Insurers Report
The Motor Insurers Bureau has identified Aston as an uninsured vehicle blackspot
Victoria Road
Two cars collided on Victoria Road on Sunday 7th March 2010.
Lichfield Road
Two cars collided on the A5127 Lichfield Road, near Aston Station, at approximately 1pm on Saturday 30/01/10.
A34 High Street
A 24 year-old pedestrian was hit and killed by a car on the A34 at around 10.30am on Saturday 12 December 2009.
05.10.11: Burglars Target Park Lane Gospel Hall
Park Lane Gospel Hall was burgled on the 8th, 28th and 30th September 2011. Copper piping and two radiators were stolen. A church elder has complained that the police do not adequately patrol the area and did not conduct a forensic examinations after the first break-in (News Headlines 05/10/11).
Armed Police Stop Girls Aged 9 and 15 on Church Road
Armed police, who were investigating a robbery on Lichfield Road on Thursday 25th August 2011, stopped a 15-year-girl in the company of her 9-year-old sister on nearby Church Road; the older girl matched a suspect's description but was innocent of any offence; her mother has complained of being let down by the police and believes that their actions were insensitive and could have provoked a riot (News Headlines 28/08/11).
Masked
Men Attack Teenager with Swords on Trinity Road
Thief
Battered Woman at Aston Railway Station
Seven Arrests at Vila/Blues Derby
Seven football fans attending the Villa/Blues derby were arrested for public order offences in and around Villa Park on 31/10/10 (News Report 01/11/10).
Cannabis Cultivated at the Vine
Police raided the Vine public house on the Lichfield Road on 2nd June 2010; they discovered a cannabis farm in a wall cavity that had apparently been cultivated by the 18-year-old son of the manageress; he was sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for two years in October 2010 (News Archive 26/10/10).
Jewellery Heist on Witton Road
On 17th April 2010, thieves smashed through security doors with sledgehammers at the jewellers Nanakson & Sons on Witton Road; they were driven out by a security device that released a dense smog; however, £100,000 of stock was stolen in 90 seconds
(News Archive 11/07/10).Shooting on Upper Sutton Street
Witnesses heard gunshots on Upper Sutton Street, between its junctions with Park Lane and Victoria Road, at approximately 9pm on Monday 21/06/10
(News Archive 23/06/10).Drug Addict Dies on Selston Road
A 43-year-old addict died at his home on Selston Road after taking heroin on Wednesday 23rd December 2009
(News Archive 05/06/10).Police Seize Bootleg DVD's on Burlington Street
Police seized 100 bootleg DVD's during a raid on a flat on Burlington Street on Wednesday 26/05/10.
Youth Brandished Gun on Victoria Road
Police arrested a 17-year-old youth at his home on Bradburne Way in Nechells after he was seen with a pistol on Victoria Road in Aston (News Archive 14/04/10).
Spray and Pray on Parliament Street
A 27-year-old man, who was arrested on Parliament Street, was travelling with a loaded "spray and pray" machine gun in his car (News Archive 7/12/09).
Youths Fire Pistol on Witton Road
Two youths were seen randomly firing a semi-automatic pistol on Witton Road at approximately 9.30pm on Tuesday 13/10/09 (News Archive 21/11/09).
Four Hospitalised after House Fire on Albert Road
A woman and three children were hospitalised for smoke inhalation following a house fire on Albert Road on Sunday 27/02/11 (News Archive 28/02/11)
Front Door Fire on Whitehead Road
Fire crews attended a burning front door at a house on Whitehead Road at approximately 4am on Tuesday 20/07/10
(News Archive 20/10/07).Fire & Firefighting in Birmingham
Aston Fire Station
Aston Fire Station on Ettington Road employs 55 fire crew who operate two appliances on a 24/7 basis.
Ettington Road B6 6ED 0121 380 7512 Map
Demographics, Politics and Housing in Aston
Aston straddles the Aston council ward and the Nechells council ward. The area to the west of the Aston Expressway is in the Aston ward whilst the area to the east is in the Nechells ward.
This website contains information about demographics, politics and housing in the Aston ward and information about demographics, politics and housing in the Nechells ward.
Further & Higher Education in Aston
Aston College
Aston is a private college offering business, management, healthcare and IT courses at Radio House on Aston Road North.
Aston Road North B6 4DA - 0121 270 8500 - Map - Website
South Aston Two
The South Aston Two are a pair of 20 storey 57 metre tower blocks that were built in the early 1970's and overlook Park Circus on the Aston Expressway, namely:
Barry Jackson Tower (map) on Estone Walk and Sapphire Tower (map) on Park Lane.
Osbourne Tower
Osbourne Tower on Gladstone Road is a 16 storey 47 metre tower block that was completed in 1966.
Gladstone Road B6 7PA Map
The industrial areas in Aston are mainly located alongside A5127 Lichfield Road, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and the Cross City Railway. They include the Aston Cross Industrial Estate (map), the Phillips Street Industrial Estate (map) and the Windsor Industrial Estate (map).
High speed access to the M6 is provided via Park Circus on the A38(M) Aston Expressway.
EJ Bowman
EJ Bowman manufacture oil coolers and heat exchangers on Chester Street with an estimated staff of less than 60.
Chester Street B6 4AP - 0121 359 5401 - Map
Factories in Brum - EJ Bowman Website
Priory Castor
Priory Castor manufactures castors on Aston Hall Road with an estimated workforce of 60.
160 Aston Hall Road B6 7LA 0121 327 0832 Map
Factories in Brum Priory Castor Website
Widney
Widney are precision engineers on Plume Street. This factory has an estimated workforce of 200.
Plume Street B6 7SA 0121 327 5500 Map
Factories in Brum Widney Website
Jalabad Mosque and Madrassa
The Jalalabad Mosque & Madrassa on Ettington Road can hold 500 male but no female worshippers. The mosque offers educational classes, advice & counselling.
0121 326 0337 108 Ettington Road B6 6ET
Jamia Masjid Ghausia
This mosque on Albert Road has an estimated capacity of 200.
237 Albert Road B6 5NA - 0121 328 1108 - Map
Jamia Mohiul Salaam Siddiqia
Jamia Mohiul Salaam Siddiqia on Victoria Road can hold 900 male and 200 female worshippers; it provides advice, counselling, educational classes and circumcision.
Mosques in Birmingham 12 Victoria Road B6 5HA
Madni Mosque
The Madni Mosque is located at 58 Trinity Road in Aston. The mosque capacity is 200 male but no female worshippers. Advice, counselling and educational services are provided.
0121 551 1239 58 Trinity Road B6 6NH
Mosques in Birmingham Madni Masjid Website
Masjid-e-Aman Islamic Educational Centre
The Masjid-e-Aman Islamic Educational Centre on Witton Road has a capacity of 200 male and 80 female worshippers; the mosque has a function hall and offers advice, counselling, educational classes and after-school tuition.
0121 523 4265 232 Witton Road B6 6LB
Masjid-e-Noor
The Masjid-e-Noor on Victoria Road has a capacity of 1000 male and 500 female worshippers; it offers educational services, advice, counselling, after-school tuition and a funeral service with Gusal.
0121 328 0156 257 Victoria Road B6 5HP
Masjid Madrassa Faizul Islam
This mosque on Witton Road can hold 600 worshippers including women.
330 Witton Road B6 6PD -
MapWitton Islamic Centre
The Witton Islamic Centre on Witton Road in Aston has a capacity of 300 male and 30 female worshippers; it offers advice, counselling, educational classes and after-school tuition.
0121 328 1088 311-313 Witton Road B6 6NS
Aston Park
Aston Park is a 63 acre green space that was formerly part of the grounds of Aston Hall.
The formal gardens, designed by the Birmingham Civic Society, stand on a rise next to Aston Hall at the centre of the park.
The gardens, which feature a fountain and statue by William Bloye, descend through a series of lawns and terraces to Bevington Road on the western side of the park.
The gradient is steeper on the northern side which overlooks Villa Park; the eastern boundary is flanked by the Aston Expressway.
In addition to the formal gardens, the park contains play areas, a floodlit artificial pitch, toilets and a sports pavilion equipped with changing rooms and a community centre.
Birmingham West and Central Local Policing Unit
Aston is policed by the Birmingham West and Central Local Policing Unit which is headquartered at Steelhouse Lane Police Station in the Gun Quarter
Aston Police Station
Aston Police Station on Queens Road is a substation; it is open 24 hours.
Queens Road B6 7ND - 0345 113 5000 -
Map - West Midlands Police Website
Holte Hotel
The Holte Hotel was built in the Jacobean Style
as part of the Aston Lower Grounds development of 1897 which included
Villa Park.
It was recently refurbished by Aston Villa FC and
contains three banqueting rooms and a public bar that serves buffet
lunches etc.
The bar is only open to invited guests on match days.
Villa Park B6 6HE
0800 612 0940
Map O'Reillys
O'Reillys Public House is located at Aston Cross on the Lichfield Road.
Lichfield Road B6 5RW 0121 359 3109
Map
The following bus routes serve Aston:
7
8A/C,
40X,
56,
65,
67,
67A,
104,
105,
108,
110,
112,
114,
115,
116,
123,
424,
807,
902,
904,
905,
907,
914,
915,
935,
952,
997,
997A,
X51,
X56
Overview
Three railway lines run through Aston: the Cross City Line, the Birmingham and Walsall Line and the Stechford Avoiding Line. These lines converge at Aston Junction.
Aston Junction: North and South
Aston Junction is in fact two separate junctions: Aston Junction South, which is roughly 100 metres south-east of Aston Station, joins the Stechford Avoiding Line to the Cross City Line whereas Aston Junction North, roughly 50 metres north-west of Aston Station, joins the Birmingham and Walsall Line to the Cross City line.
Cross City Line through Aston
The Cross City Line passes above the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal, Thimble Mill Lane, and this viaduct on the Lichfield Road (A5127) before arriving at Aston Station.
Heading northwards from Aston Junction North, 50 metres from Aston Station, the line crosses beneath the Aston Expressway Viaduct and then switches direction, curving north-eastwards alongside the Expresssway (A38M) towards Spaghetti Junction.
Links:
Cross City LineBirmingham-Walsall Line through Aston
The Birmingham-Walsall Line runs from Aston Junction North which connects it to the Cross City Line, 50 metres north of the platforms at Aston Railway Station.
Heading north-westwards from this junction, the line runs on an embankment above Aston Hall Road, travels beneath the Aston Expressway (A38M) and then runs alongside the canalised River Tame towards Witton Station.
Links:
Birmingham-Walsall LineAston Station on the cross city line stands on an embankment above Litchfield Road (A5127). The station, which opened in 1854, has an annual passenger footfall of 170,000. It is equipped with a payphone, waiting room and CCTV. The station does not have a car park or taxi rank, but several bus routes pass nearby: 65, 67, 104, 105, 114 and 115.
Trains for New Street generally stop at 10 minute intervals in the daytime, every 20 minutes in the evening and every 30 minutes on Sunday. Trains for Walsall generally stop at 30 minute intervals in the daytime and every hour in the evening.
Main Destinations: Stations to Longbridge, Redditch, Birmingham New Street, Sutton Coldfield, Four Oaks, Lichfield City, Lichfield Trent Valley, Wolverhampton and Walsall.
Tel: 08457484950 Address: Lichfield Road B6 7PR
Links: Birmingham-Walsall Line Cross City Railway National Rail Enquiries
Stechford Avoiding Line
The Stechford Avoiding Line terminates
at Aston Junction South, 100 metres south-east of the platforms at Aston Railway Station; freight services generally switch to the Birmingham -Walsall Line at Aston Junction North in order to reach the Black Country without passing through central Birmingham.Links: Stechford Avoiding Line
Community/Social Organisations in Aston
Kajans Womens Enterprise
The Kajans Womens Enterprise is located at Albert Hall on Witton Road in Aston. This Victorian building was converted into the organisation's new headquarters in summer 2010.
The Kajans Womens Enterprise seeks to improve the quality and breadth of arts and education provision, particularly for women, minority ethnic youths and refugees.
Witton Road B6 5NU 0121 507 0904 Map
Kajans Womens Enterprise Website
Aston Villa FC
Aston Villa FC was established in 1874 as a mutual association by members of the Villa Cross Wesleyan Chapel in Lozells.
The club was based at Aston Park from 1874 to 1876 and on Wellington Road at Perry Barr from 1876 to 1897; it has been based at Villa Park on Witton Lane since 1897.
The club was a founder member of the FA in 1888 and currently plays in the Premiership. The team colours are claret and blue.
Aston Villa is now owned by a public limited company controlled by an Ohian entrepreneur, Randy Lerner, who also owns an American football team: the Cleveland Browns.
Links:
Sports Clubs Aston Villa WebsiteVilla Park
Villa Park was built as the home stadium of Aston Villa FC in the lower grounds of Aston Park in 1897. The ground has since been rebuilt several times and is now an all-seater UEFA Elite stadium with a total capacity of around 43,000.
Villa Park is flanked by Witton Road to the east and Trinity Road to the west. The Holte End is behind the goal closest to Aston Hall. The home supporters traditionally stood on a terrace at the Holte End which was replaced by a two tier stand with a capacity of 13,500 in 1994.
The North Stand is behind the goal at the opposite Witton End. It was built in 1977 and is now the oldest part of the ground. The stand has two tiers, a distinctive AV seating pattern and two rows of executive boxes; it can seat 7,000 fans. Away supporters used to sit in the North Stand but have now been moved to the Doug Ellis Stand.
The Doug Ellis Stand is a two-tier stand built in 1995 that runs alongside the touchline parallel to Witton Road; it can seat around 9,000; away supporters sit here.
The Trinity Road Stand on the opposite touchline is a three-tier structure built in 2001 whose upper tiers rise above Trinity Road; it can seat around 13,000. It replaced a splendid 1920's art deco stand whose pavilion still stands in the south-west corner of the ground.
Links: Stadia Aston Villa FC
Aston Arena
The Aston Arena on Aston Hall Road consists of a ground-floor sports and leisure hall and a first-floor sports bar.
The hall can be configured to stage major sport events and live music gigs with an audience capacity of around 2000. It can also be hired by local schools and clubs for netball, basketball, 5-a-side football, badminton, indoor cricket etc.
The venue, which has a large car park, is also available for conferences, exhibitions and private parties.
Aston Hall Road B6 7LB - 0121 327 1456 -
MapKhanum Balti
Khanum is a Balti house on Witton Road.
405 Witton Road B6 6SP 0121 356 6640 Map
Restaurants Outside Inner Circle
Aston Tower Primary School
Aston Tower School on Upper Sutton Street is a community co-educational primary school attended by roughly 460 children aged between three and eleven.
Upper Sutton Street B6 5BE 0121 327 0339 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Aston Tower Primary Website
Manor Park Primary School
Manor Park School on Church Lane is a foundation co-educational primary school attended by roughly four hundred children aged between three and eleven.
Church Lane B6 5UQ 0121 327 1023 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Manor Park Primary Website
Mansfield Green Primary School
Mansfield Green School on Albert Road is a community co-educational primary school attended by roughly 390 children aged between five and eleven.
Albert Road B6 5NH 0121 464 6590 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Mansfield Green School Website
Prince Albert Junior & Infant School
Prince Albert School on Albert Road is a community co-educational primary school attended by approximately 730 children aged between three and eleven.
The Hilary Pugh Cyber Centre opened at this school in August 2010 (News Archive 19/08/10).
Albert Road B6 5NH 0121 327 0594 Map
Secular State Primary Schools Prince Albert School Website
Yew Tree Junior and Infant School
Yew Tree School is a community co-educational primary school attended by approximately 460 children aged between three and eleven.
Yew Tree Road B6 6RX 0121 464 2967 Map
King Edward VI Aston School
King Edward VI Aston School on Frederick Road is a voluntary-aided selective boys grammar that specialises in sport and is attended by around 750 boys aged between 11 and 18.
100% of pupils passed five GCSE's including Maths and English at A*/C in 2009.
Frederick Road B6 6DJ 0121 327 1130 Map
Secondary Schools King Edward VI Aston School Website
Birchfield Independent Girls School
Birchfield Girls is an independent school attended by around 190 pupils aged between 11 and 17.
57% of pupils passed five GCSE's including Maths and English at A*/C in 2009.
Beacon Hill B6 6JU 0121 327 7707 Map
Secondary Schools Birchfield Girls School Website
Key National Retailers in Aston
Staples
Staples is at Aston Cross on Rocky Lane
B6 5RQ, T 0121 333 5214Aston Pride Community Health Centre
74 Victoria Road B6 5HA - 0345 245 0755 - Map
Health Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Al Shafa Medical Centre
5-7 Little Oaks Road B6 6JY - 0845 073 0390 - Map
Health Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Church Road Surgery
28 Church Road B6 5UP - 0345 245 0785 - Map
Health Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Victoria Road Medical Centre
229 Victoria Road B6 5HP - 0121 327 0327 - Map
Health Centres & GP Surgeries in Brum
Harry Watton House
Harry Watton House on Church Lane is a psychiatric support unit that contains the Heartlands outreach and Aston/Soho manic depression, mental health and psychology teams.
97 Church Lane B6 5UG - 0121 685 6001 - Map
Psychiatric Healthcare in Brum
Aston Kidney Unit
The Aston Dialysis Centre is located off Rocky Lane at the Aston Cross
Business Park; it is managed by Fesenius Medical Care on behalf of the
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.
Patients complained of poor hygiene at this unit in September 2010 (News
Archive 13/09/10).
Rocky Lane B6 5RQ 0121 333 6766
Aston Hotel stands by the junction of Aston Lane, Witton Lane and Witton Road, barely 100 metres from Villa Park. It is a converted Edwardian pub that provides bed & breakfast accommodation. The facilities include a licensed bar. Some parking may be available.
Links:
Hotels Aston Hotel WebsiteThe Campanile Hotel is on Chester Street by the 4th lock of the Aston Flight on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. The hotel contains 111 bedrooms, a bar, restaurant, terrace and meeting rooms with a capacity of 278. Parking is free.
Links: Hotels Campanile Website
The Premier Inn is on Richard Street by the Aston Flight of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal; the ensuite rooms are equipped with satellite television and chargeable wi-fi. The hotel contains a restaurant and meeting rooms; there is a free car park.
Links: Aston Premier Inn Website
Aston Hall Museum is housed in the Jacobean mansion in Aston Park that was built by Sir Thomas Holte between 1618 and 1638.
The museum, which is owned by Birmingham City Council, contains the Great Hall, Great Dining Room, Long Gallery and Royal Bedchamber where Charles I and Queen Henrietta spent the night of 18 October 1642.
Exhibits include Van Dyck portraits of the royal pair and a walnut cabinet, a gift to their host. Facilities include a shop, cafe, activity rooms and exhibition space.
The museum is generally only open during the summer. Entry is usually free although a charge is sometimes made for special events and exhibitions.
Aston Manor Road Transport Museum is housed in a former tram depot on Witton Lane. The museum maintains and exhibits buses, trams and commercial vehicles that were either used in the West Midlands or manufactured there.
There is a small admission charge that is slightly increased for special events. The facilities include a shop, cafe and free parking.
The Aston Flight of eleven locks on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal adjusts the water level by 70 feet over 1.2 miles so that the canal can descend from Aston Junction to Salford Junction.
The first two locks of the Aston Flight (numbers 14 and 15) are in the Gosta Green area of Eastside. However, the other nine locks (numbers 16 to 24) are in Aston.
Locks 16 and 17 are by the Campanile Hotel; lock 18 is beneath Richard Street; locks 19-21 are between Richard Street and Avenue Road; lock 22 is alongside the new Aston Cross development; lock 23 is next to Thimble Lane Bridge and lock 24 is beneath the viaduct at Holborn Hill which carries the cross-city railway into Aston Station.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
This is the Waterlinks Bridge on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. It is next to the fifth lock of the Aston Flight: lock 18 of the canal.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
The Avenue Road Bridge on the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal is between locks 21 and 22: i.e. the 8th and 9th of the Aston Flight.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
This bridge carries Rocky Lane across the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. It is next to the Aston Cross waterside development and near lock 22: the 9th on the Aston Flight.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
This bridge carries Thimble Mill Lane over the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. It is next to lock 23: the penultimate on the Aston Flight.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
This viaduct at Holborn Hill carries the cross-city railway over the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal and into Aston Station. It is next to lock 24: the bottom lock of the Aston Flight.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
Cuckoo Bridge, above the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal is roughly 400 metres from Salford Junction.
Links: Canals Birmingham and Fazeley Canal
HP Site @ Aston Cross
Heinz took over HP in 2005 and demolished its factory at Aston Cross in 2007, transferring production to the Netherlands.
The former HP site will be redeveloped as an East Ends Foods cash-and-carry warehouse and distribution centre, an urban farm and technology college, a 1,200-capacity conference centre and a 15-storey hotel. Building began in March 2011 (News Archive 12/03/11).
Listed Secular Buildings in Aston
Aston Hall stands on high ground in Aston Park; it was designed by John Thorpe and built by Sir Thomas Holte in red brick in 1618-1635.
The main body of the house is flanked by projecting wings with square turrets; an axial tower, which stands behind the slightly-protruding facade, increases the sense of space; all three towers are capped by a dome & spire.
Although Aston Hall is essentially baroque, it also features typically northern European characteristics; these include stepped Dutch gables and large bay windows that contrast with the open parapets and decorative balustrades.
The Holte family sold Aston Hall to James Watt Junior in 1817. After his death, it became a private museum and leisure venue that was opened by Queen Victoria.
However, when the hall became associated with drunken loutish behaviour, as exemplified by the accidental death of a glamorous female tightrope walker, the Queen complained to the Mayor of Birmingham who bought it for the city.
Links: Aston Conservation Area Sir Thomas Holte Aston Hall Museum
The Aston Conservation Area contains Aston Park, Aston Hall and the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. It is skirted by the Aston Expressway on its eastern side which is raised on stilts through the conservation area.
Links: Aston Conservation Area
Contact Sitemap User Conditions
© 2008-2011 LACT Limited. All rights reserved