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 of Victorian altruism, presented the hall to the City of Birmingham in 1891, to be used as a children's convalescent home.
Little remains of the hall's grounds, landscaped by Humphrey Repton in the 18th century. The first road cut through the estate in 1895 and by 1900 much of the parkland had become housing. However, the late 18th century stable block still stands to the right of the hall. These buildings, along with some newer additions, are now run by the NHS and, as well as a general medical community hospital, house specialist rehabilitation services for stroke patients and people with brain injuries.
So, unlike me, don't wait until you have an unhappy reason to have to visit Moseley Hall. Next time you're travelling between Moseley and Kings Heath, take a few minutes to pop down and witness this hidden relic of past grandeur in our midst.
Published in My Moseley and Kings Heath, June 2015.
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 of Victorian altruism, presented the hall to the City of Birmingham in 1891, to be used as a children's convalescent home.
Little remains of the hall's grounds, landscaped by Humphrey Repton in the 18th century. The first road cut through the estate in 1895 and by 1900 much of the parkland had become housing. However, the late 18th century stable block still stands to the right of the hall. These buildings, along with some newer additions, are now run by the NHS and, as well as a general medical community hospital, house specialist rehabilitation services for stroke patients and people with brain injuries.
So, unlike me, don't wait until you have an unhappy reason to have to visit Moseley Hall. Next time you're travelling between Moseley and Kings Heath, take a few minutes to pop down and witness this hidden relic of past grandeur in our midst.
Published in My Moseley and Kings Heath, June 2015.
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