Winterbourne House and Garden Self Guided Tour
Overview
Today we have the opportunity to visit this beautiful Arts and Crafts style house and garden in Edgbaston.
Originally designed as a small country estate with rustic outbuildings and large gardens, Winterbourne followed the style of the Arts and Crafts movement with examples of local craftsmanship throughout the house. Winterbourne is a rare surviving example of an early 20th century suburban villa and garden.
The house was built in 1903 for John and Margaret Nettlefold, of Guest, Keen & Nettlefold. John Nettlefold was a pioneer of early housing reform in Birmingham at a time when the city had a serious lack of decent homes for working people. John and his wife Margaret were from prestigious local families who had made their living in industry. Choosing their house to be designed in the Arts and Crafts style reflected their modern outlook.
John Nettlefold was a pioneer of town planning who carried the ideas seen in his own home to the less wealthy areas of the city.
Margaret Nettlefold designed the garden, inspired by the books and garden designs of Gertrude Jekyll. After a period of restoration, the garden was Grade II listed by English Heritage in 2008.
John MacDonald Nicolson was the last private owner of the house and a keen gardener. He developed many new areas, including a scree garden and small alpine features around the garden. Nicolson died in 1944 and bequeathed the house and garden to the University. The garden became the University’s Botanic Garden and new areas for teaching and plant conservation were developed within the historic layout.
The garden today is still used by students but is also open to the public to be enjoyed by everyone.
We intend to go around as a group and then follow our self guided tour with a visit to the Cafe for refreshments.
Please note that Winterbourne House and Gardens is a cashless venue.
Includes
- A small admin fee
- Your Spice Volunteer Coordinator
Extras
- Entry fee is £8.80 or £7.60 for over 65s
- Winterbourne has a cafe, gift shop and second-hand bookshop on site.
Winterbourne is located on the University of Birmingham campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Only a few miles from the city centre, it is just off the main A38 route leaving the city towards the South West. If using a Sat Nav, entering our full address is the best option. Winterbourne House and Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, B15 2RT will take you straight to our front door.
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Car
There are approximately 50 car parking spaces on site including 3 blue badge spaces next to the main house entrance. On busy days when our car park is full, you can use the multistorey car park on Pritchatts Road. Further information about parking can be found on the Birmingham University website.
Train
Direct trains from Birmingham New Street on the cross city line to University station then a 10 minute walk across campus.
Bus
The X21 and X22 buses stop just round the corner from Winterbourne. It picks up from the city centre by Moor Street Station.
Bike
We have two sets of bike racks onsite.
Host & Everything Else
Gallery
