Moseley Hall
I've lived in Birmingham for over twenty years, and in Kings Heath for sixteen. I've passed the turning to Moseley Hall Hospital hundreds of times but it wasn't until a friend of mine recently ended up in a ward there that I ventured down the hill and found to my surprise that the 18th century hall is still standing. This unexpected discovery prompted me to find out more about it. There's been a grand house on the site since the early 1600s, but the present hall, a Grade II listed stone building with four pairs of columns, dates from 1795. It was rebuilt after riots broke out across Birmingham in 1791, mainly targeting religious dissenters, such as high profile scientist Joseph Priestley. Moseley Hall was just one of the many hotels, chapels, businesses and houses burned in the 'Priestley Riots'. Since its restoration, illustrious owners have included the High Sheriff of Worcestershire and Richard Cadbury MP. It was the Cadbury family that, in a typical show...