Winterbourne House & Gardens

An Edwardian family property in Edgbaston that has become part of the University of Birmingham's wider estate, Winterbourne House and Gardens provide the perfect place to meet up with Bookworm Bygrave over the Bank Holiday weekend...

- Winterbourne House -

It's Saturday 23rd May 2026, the sun is shining, there's barely a cloud in the sky and we have history with horticulture afoot on Edgbaston Park Road. Winterbourne House was built in 1904 for John Nettlefold - part of the family who put the 'N' into GKN - who lived here along with his wife Margaret and several children. The property has many Arts and Crafts features as befits its period of construction, including notable examples of William Morris wallpaper.

- Wisteria -

After a period under the ownership of Harry Wheelock, Winterbourne was bequeathed to the University of Birmingham in 1944 and was initially used to provide accommodation for female students. It would then see use as a base for Birmingham Business School prior to gaining museum accreditation in 2017, since when it has become a heritage attraction open to all (admission charges apply). The spectacular planting alone is worth the entrance fee, with Emily especially drawn towards a glorious pergola draped in dangling wisteria.

- Lupins near the Walled Garden -

The Walled Garden can be found close to the house, providing an oasis of scent and colour where tall lupins mingle with trailing roses and lush foliage, making the most of the sunshine. We have a peek inside an outhouse containing the Winterbourne Press, seeing how historic printing press equipment has been salvaged and preserved. The Old Kitchen is also close at hand, showcasing scullery scrubbing brushes and a large set of shiny copper frying pans.

- The Vegetable Patch -

The gardens would historically have been used to grow fresh produce for the Nettlefold family to eat hence it is fitting that the current operation includes scope for vegetable propagation. We marvel at the sight of cabbages, lettuces and tomatoes although a seasonal approach is taken in order to cultivate food through into the autumn. For some years Winterbourne served as the University's Botanical Gardens and this legacy can still be seen today in the form of the Geographical Beds comprising species from Asia, South America and Australasia.

- Teddy Time -

Having had a gander around the gardens, Emily and I pause for a hot chocolate break (yes, there was cake - a cherry and white chocolate blondie in fact) then investigate more of the house. John Nettlefold's study has an extensive library - Miss Bygrave naturally approves - while the children's nursery room has a cute assembly of teddy bears. We learn more about the history of GKN as a firm, and of Mr Nettlefold's involvement in Birmingham town planning.

- Edgbaston Pool -

There's now scope to explore the extensive wider grounds, passing through the Nut Walk arch of hazelnut trees and spotting an appealing Lych Gate shelter. Although not directly part of the property's curtilage, a woodland path allows us views across Edgbaston Pool which serves as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Much of the surrounding land is privately owned by the Edgbaston Golf Club so we can only walk a short distance along the pool perimeter.

- Bookworm Bygrave at Rhododendron Walk -

Back within the bounds of Winterbourne, we burrow between pretty rhododendron bushes to reach the Japanese Bridge and a rock garden. Stepping stones take you across the stream and some of the leaves are absolutely humongous! A bench by the Tall Stones - a sculptural piece formed of a trio of shards - allows us to relax and enjoy the lawn tranquility. There are quite a few art pieces dotted around actually, with a carved specimen called 'A Fine Balance' proving a fan favourite which celebrates the importance of bees.

- Something Succulent? -

We've almost finished our tour but haven't yet glanced among the glasshouses. These are themed according to their contents so we have orchids, alpines, succulents - with some very prickly looking cacti - and even a section for carnivorous plants where we manage to avoid being eaten. We must allow time for the Bookworm to do what she does best, namely peruse the shelves of the second hand bookshop. Emily is in her element!

- Bravo for Bavo -

The bookish angle doesn't end there, for there's more retail therapy on the cards when we continue into Kings Heath. The Book Tower on Poplar Road is not a shop either of us knew about - I sense it could become a regular haunt though - then the Oxfam store on Kings Heath High Street comes up trumps for promising paperback finds and even a Paulish local history purchase. The afternoon concludes with a couple of drinks in the vicinity of York Road where the Juke and Schooners effectively face each other across cosmopolitan al fresco beer tables. Bavo Lager is very refreshing in the former, listening to jukebox tunes amidst a cooling pink interior, before God's Twisted Sister Stout goes down nicely at Schooners, admiring a map pinpointing the locations of craft breweries across the West Midlands. Cheers!

Darlaston Clubbing with Mr D9

After an enforced gap in April because of family commitments, Chairman D9 declares himself in need of a Hub Marketing session. Donning our thinking caps, we settle on a Darlaston Doorstep arrangement which should account for a couple of interesting club-type venues. Here comes the tale of the trip...

- The Fiery Grill -

Trip Log: Tuesday 19th May 2026 and our starting point is a very familiar one. Admittedly the Fiery Grill (previously the Fiery Holes prior to its Desi-style makeover) usually serves us as a nightcap location, but its proximity to Bradley Lane Metro stop makes it the ideal place for the Secretary to await Mr D9's arrival. A bar side perch amidst hexagonal patterned fabrics works well enough when armed with £4 pints of Carling, and the pub seems to be doing a brisk trade in curry orders whilst still having a steady supply of early evening regulars. The Chairman's appearance brings news of driver wakes and missed buffets with the bald one lamenting not being able to attend a celebration of life at Smethwick Labour Club.

- Studious Steering on the 79 -

Venturing deeper into the housing estates of Moxley, Charnwood Close and Queen Street combine so that we can intercept the 79 on the A41. We're not on board very long, the bus serving as a helping hand to get us into Darlaston where we will alight opposite the Asda, but there is time enough to showcase a certain someone's famed steering technique. Memories of the Stowlawn Gobbler and D9's bus-hopping youth come flooding back before attentions turn once again to matters of beer. We mustn't dilly dally as there's a lot to squeeze in and the Chairman is insistent that dead mileage is not an option - to the next haunt we must go...

- Cheerful in the Con Club -

The said second port of call is the Con Club on Little Cross Street, a venue we chickened out of sampling last October so there's added determination to include it tonight. Two large rooms give a choice of plush bar or an entertainment lounge with us picking the latter, obtaining more Carling in the process. Whenever we do anything with a Tory bias there's always a worry that one or other of us will burst into flames through political disgruntlement but there's no risk of spontaneous combustion here; in fact, you wouldn't really know it was a Conservative Club at all these days and any mention of Mrs Thatcher is thankfully kept to a minimum. Groceries and toys are piled high on the stage, perhaps through some kind of food bank operation unless an extremely well-stocked raffle is imminent. 

- The Green House Effect? -

Picking our way over wobbly Con Club car park steps past colourfully-painted planters made out of old tyres, we shuffle across to Blockall where some conveniently positioned temporary traffic lights delay the number 37 bus enough for us to reach the stop. Another short ride soon has us bearing down upon Willenhall Road, eyeing up the former Garringtons offices which now function as a sauna suite. We're not keen on the idea of disrobing in a steamy room with lots of strangers although the building's frontage does distract the bald spot momentarily. We would however like to try Garro's Pool Hall next door but it isn't open yet, despite a growing throng of potential punters congregating outside wanting to put their cues to good use.

- Beard Close Indignation -

The amount of derelict factories in the vicinity is an unmistakable sign of Darlaston's industrial decline, and with the prospect that Garro's might still be gettable later, we head to the Robin Hood on The Crescent to fill the gap. This Black Country Ales establishment is very dangerous as far as the Chairman is concerned - he has been known to have extended sessions here in the company of old scheduling colleagues - so the Secretary has to be very strict about this being a one pint only visit. BFG and Mallinsons Columbus are the tipples in question and the quality of both the beer and the pub as a whole really shines through. Returning to Darlaston, we declare our silly songs - a brace of Joan Sims novelties, 'Oh Not Again Ken' and 'Hurry Up Gran' - then pose for photocalls at both the Bargain Hub and Beard Close, with the latter seemingly eliciting a certain degree of D9 mock grumpiness.

- Grappling with Garro's -

There's still no joy at Garro's, although we are told that the staff are on their way, so a further contingency call is required. We first sampled the Nags Head at Darlaston Green on a Myvod Moments trip in April 2015 and it doesn't appear to have altered much - a down-to-earth vibe punctuated by shelves full of sporting trophies, plus window art promoting their satellite sport subscriptions. One swift Carling there precedes it being third time lucky back at Garro's which has now belatedly opened. It has a basic set-up very much focused around a multitude of pool tables and the lager here is very frothy, meaning Mr D9 gets given some extra dregs free of charge. A friendly place with a huge dog bouncing around for added fun factor, we're very glad we put the effort in trying to include it. With that, time is fast running out but an obliging 79 connection means we can make it a Fiery Grill double before the curtain falls. Cheers!

Twenty Years On...

May 17th 2006 marked my very first post on the West Midlands Exploration blog, and here I am twenty years later still waffling away with my observations on life and the universe (but mainly pubs, beer and cricket). This notable anniversary seems like as good a point as any at which to pause and reflect on why I've stuck with it so long, although the fact I enjoy putting together my bits and pieces of writing remains as central to things now as it was at the start...

That first ever entry was a simple one:

Welcome to the West Midlands Exploration blogspot. This is where I shall post any ideas, news, comments and other trivial nonsense that I can think of with regard to the West Midlands Exploration galleries at http://wme.fotopic.net - or at least thats the plan.

Hopefully this will turn into a useful running commentary on gallery updates and recent outings, as well as providing me with another place to reflect upon the many outings I have already done. So, part diary, part personal planner, part memory bank, part discussion board. Enjoy the blog!

Paul

The focus then - as indeed it still is now but to a lesser extent - was on building my archive of local photographs and having a place to discuss my plans. Those original Fotopic galleries have long gone but I've been settled on Flickr since 2011 and continue to issue photostream updates there on a regular basis, hence my monthly 'Flickr Focus' summaries of new arrivals. I'll never be the best photographer in the world and some of my interests are niche to put it mildly (a certain street sign obsession being a case in point), but having my camera with me simply gives me a great excuse to be out and about getting to know places. It's a wonderful hobby, and it's true to say that the 8,000+ images I currently have published on Flickr are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the amount of pictures I've actually taken down the years!

Back in the beginning, one fundamental thing was clear - that the blog was essentially for me as an outlet for my thoughts, a personal indulgence if you will. I didn't really care then whether anybody else reads it - and still don't - although of course it is nice to receive the occasional comment when one of my posts strikes a chord with someone else. Through endurance or longevity (perhaps sheer persistence), I've amassed a record of a region undergoing change from the point of view of one observer. More importantly though, the blog charts my various friendships and has come to capture so many lovely memories made with people who mean a lot to me. The cast of characters will change over time but special thanks go to Mr D9, Nick, Stephen, Mr B Senior, Rog, Woody, Jane, Emily and my family for all your support.

Back in May 2006, Tony Blair was the Prime Minister, Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne and 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley was top of the charts. Now we have Keir Starmer, King Charles III (otherwise known as Nick), and whichever pop darling is the current flavour of the month. Aside from photography, I still retain my initial fascination in public transport - as my recent outings sampling new West Midlands railway stations prove - and canals, while pubs and cask ales are another recurring thread. I've lost count of the amount of personal favourite hostelries I've declared now but it's a list that seemingly keeps growing despite a litany of sad closures. The West Midlands as a region remains close to my heart with a special affection reserved for the Black Country, although technically I now live in South Staffordshire. 

So what of the future? I plan to keep on exploring, taking my pictures and compiling my trip reports much as I do now. Whether I'll always write at least five new posts per month remains to be seen, likewise whether I'll run out of material for the Lost Pubs series - I haven't yet! There are still so many places I'd like to see, people to meet and Warwickshire matches to attend, plus lovely ales to drink. Maybe I'll still be hacking away at my keyboard in another twenty years, reflecting on lord knows what! As long as I stay healthy and keep having fun, anything seems possible so thanks for reading and onwards we go to the next adventure...

The Snoopy Trail at Trentham Gardens

The Trentham Estate is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the Stoke-on-Trent city area, providing people from the Potteries and further afield with hundreds of acres of beautiful parkland, not to mention a Shopping Village, Monkey Forest and ancient woodland. The crowning glory has to be Trentham Gardens, an Italianate landscaped complex designed by the legendary Capability Brown, and it is these which have been playing host to a dozen Snoopy sculptures over the last month or so...

- Classic Snoopy -

It's Sunday 3rd May as Bookworm Bygrave and I descend upon Trentham from our Leek base for the Bank Holiday weekend. The gardens are nationally renowned and occupy the grounds of what used to be Trentham Hall; much of the big house was demolished in the 1910s due to unsustainable maintenance costs but some buildings remain in situ as romanic ruins, namely the Grand Entrance and Orangery. Cumulatively, the vast site covers hundreds upon hundreds of acres and has a large ornamental lake as accompanied by the River Trent. We navigate the shoppers car park, pay our admission fees (£15 for adults during the summer season), pick up our Trentham Trail Explorer Pack and immediately meet our first target, 'Classic Snoopy' seeing everyone's beloved beagle relaxing atop his kennel.

- Golden Hound -

It’s fair to say we’re both extremely excited about this. Regular readers will know I love any Wild in Art public art events anyway but Emily is a confirmed admirer of all things Peanuts as my Instagram algorithm can well testify! Taking place from 27th March to 4th May (hence this being the penultimate day), the trail is formed of 12 doghouse-shaped sculptures each with a reclining Snoopy on the roof. Our second specimen is 'Golden Hound' with its gilded shimmer and illustrations that resemble a catalogue of pressed flowers. It is delightfully positioned close to a special border planted in partnership with David Austin Roses, showcasing the beauty of English roses as part of a 2024 collaboration.

- The Candy Prince -

As if the Peanuts proliferation isn't fun enough, Trentham have their own Spring Bulb Festival on the go which means an additional array of characters are dotted about. Seemingly taking inspiration from the successful Traitors television series, the idea is that 'Tulip Claudia' sets you off on a task to discover an imposter flower which doesn't grow from a bulb at all. It's an imaginative way of getting youngsters to think about and enjoy horticulture, hence we soon spot the Candy Prince (wielding his spiral lollipop), Jetfire (with a daffodil lapel) and Flora (nominated as the head gardener) amongst other painted wooden placards. Dandelion presents a certain roguish look, his seeds ready to blow away on the breeze.

- Tales for Tails -

Back with the beagles and each Snoopy staging post has its own stamp which you can use to perforate your guide booklet; admittedly some of these work better than others but it's nice to punch your passport as you progress. 'Tales for Tails' is an early contender to be our favourite of all the sculptures because of its play on words. The kennel lid resembles two literary book covers - one for A Tail of Two Lovers by William Shakespaw, the other for Romeo & Drooliet - while the base boasts bookshelves stocked with Lord of the Fleas and Around the Garden in 80 Seconds. Putting a canine spin on fiction-themed puns makes this a winner in Bygrave eyes and it's very hard for me to disagree...

- Fungi's House -

Emily however is a nature lover too and therefore declares herself impressed by 'Fungi's House' with its striking red-and-white-spotted toadstool cap roof plus blue tit depictions. Avian representation is extended further by 'Snoopy's Songbird Chorus' for fans of robins, pigeons and turtle doves, all framed within a snowtopped setting to emphasise how resilient birds are during the winter months. I hadn't realised that the Peanuts cartoon strips first debuted back in 1950 when Charles M. Schulz introduced the likes of Charlie Brown to newspaper audiences; 75+ years later his creations continue to be enjoyed with worldwide affection.

- I Need More Space -

Gravitating gently towards the tearooms and an adventure play area, we next note 'Plant Dreams, Harvest Joy' in a secluded sensory space. This sculpture's design is reminiscent of greenhouse windows with crisscross panes and hints of fruit, strawberries and tomatoes to be precise. Nearby, 'I Need More Space' takes a reflective cosmic approach with ringed planets and starry constellations, then 'Garden of Delights' beckons across towards the Food Festival marquees. Cathy Simpson has decorated this one with peaches, a crowing cockerel and buzzing wasps for another fruity, nature-tinged example.

- Woodstock Waits -

And the treats keep on coming! We take a break from the sculptural stuff by bravely entering Trentham's resident 'Hide and Speak' maze, fashioned from tall hedges with several deceptive dead ends. Seven Peanuts personalities are lurking inside although finding them all proves quite the challenge because it's easy to become disorientated among the walls of leafage. Lucy and Peppermint Pattie encouragingly have us on the right track to start with before Charlie Brown declares his noted presence, each character shown in an orange spacesuit. The maze's central mound has Woodstock at one end of the coiled path and Snoopy at the other, astronaut helmets affixed in both cases. After this point it feels like we're going round in circles seeing the same ones repeatedly but Franklin and Sally are located eventually. 

- Dreaming of the Mountains -

With some relief, we make it out of the maze without getting totally lost and reward ourselves with double scoop ice cream, combining flavours of honeycomb, chocolate brownie and vanilla clotted cream. There are four sculptures left to find and the next two are close to the lake's north-eastern shores: 'Dreaming of the Mountains' conjures up a sense of all things Alpine thanks to a crisp wintry sky, pine trees and ice-capped peaks, whereas 'Home Sweet Home' evokes thoughts of Hansel and Gretel, gingerbread residences and candy canes aplenty.

- Grrrrrrnarly Beach Hut -

We're almost done and the final two finds require us to head back towards the main entrance and then follow the River Trent along the lake's southern edge. 'Grrrrrnarly Beach Hut' speaks of the seaside with kite-flying and deckchair stripes, then last of the twelve comes 'Riverbank' with its nod to swans, herons and other watery wildlife - very effective, as indeed are some adjacent treetrunk carvings featuring otters, beavers and fish shoals. We've loved doing the trail and indulging our liking for a little black and white dog, an excellent way of spending a steady Sunday in Staffordshire. Cheers!