On Tuesday Liz and I caught the X51 bus over to Birmingham, hopped on the X21 outside New Street Station and forty-five minutes after leaving Walsall we'd arrived at our destination, Winterbourne House & Gardens in the leafy suburb of Edgbaston and, for once, it wasn't raining!
You may remember Nikki and I visiting Winterbourne last year. If not, here's a recap and be warned, this post is very image heavy.
A rare surviving example of a suburban villa and garden built in the Arts & Crafts style, Winterbourne was designed by architect Joseph Lancaster Ball in 1903 for John and Margaret Nettlefold. John was elected as the Liberal Unionist Member for the Edgbaston and Harborne ward of Birmingham City Council in 1898.
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“Mr Ball has devised it on those simple and reasonable lines which so surely achieve success, while there is everywhere evidence of thoughtful design, expressed in a reticent way”
COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE JULY 1ST 1911
A pioneer of housing reform, having at heart the desire that all classes should live in decent dwellings, a quote from John Nettlefold's obituary which was published in the Birmingham Daily Gazette on November 6th, 1930 and said to sum up his commitment to the provision of good quality housing for working people. Housing reform was his passion, but his achievements came at personal cost. His eldest daughter Evie was interviewed by the Birmingham Daily Post in 1973, at the age of 80 and offered a poignant insight into John’s political struggles: “[It’s] a great mistake to be a pioneer. It’s a killing job. They all argue with you and they don’t believe you.”
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John MacDonald Nicolson was the last private owner of the house and, as a keen gardener, developed many new ideas. Upon his death in 1944 he bequeathed the house and garden to Birmingham University. The garden became the University's Botanic Garden and is still used by students to this day.
Winterbourne House was designed to be ‘cutting-edge’ with all the modern conveniences of electric lighting, hot running water and a telephone line. Rooms were light and airy, with views over the garden. The Arts and Crafts inspired design employed local materials and craftspeople to provide an enduring feel of quality. We spotted J Sankey & Sons metalware, Ruskin ceramics and needlepoint stitched by Margaret Nettleford herself as well as a wealth of Morris and Co. textiles and wall coverings and William de Morgan tiles.
Having grown-up in an Arts & Crafts house, stepping inside instantly transports me back to childhood.
I just love how the mix of William Morris textiles & wallpapers, antique artwork and Persian carpets work so beautifully together, all stunning in their own right, co-existing in perfect harmony, never fighting for attention. A masterclass in pattern mixing!
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Margaret Nettlefold by John Byam Liston Shaw (1872-1919), pictured looking out into her garden...we spotted the exquisite the lace collar she's wearing is on display elsewhere in the house.
Mirror selfie! We got stopped and complimented on our outfits by lots of the female visitors, many commenting on how they wished they could "get away" with wearing a dress. Listen up, ladies, wearing a dress isn't committing a crime, nobody needs to get away with it! Anyone can wear a dress, they're a hell of a lot more comfy than trousers and you can even wear your jeans or leggings underneath, no one will ever know!
Margaret Nettlefold plant hunting in 1919.
We love these lino prints created by Sarah Moss, Winterbourne's official artist in residence. This is a quote from Margaret's diary from her time at the Birmingham College of Art of which I shared a photo on my post
HERE.
Winterbourne has strong links with Guest, Keen & Nettlefold (GKN), originally a small enterprise dating back to the age of the Industrial Revolution which went on to become the huge multinational car and aerospace components manufacturer still in operation today. John Nettlefold's grandfather founded Nettlefolds and John himself worked for the family firm at the start of his career.
Winterbourne runs some really interesting creative courses including one on print making.
How fabulous are these 1920s Socialist Feminist meeting posters?
Inspired by the books and garden designs of Gertrude Jekyll, Margaret Nettlefold designed the six acre garden herself. The garden was Grade II listed by English Heritage in 2008.
“The Garden is singularly well-furnished, and the path below the terrace fringed with a wealth of flowering shrubs and aubrietias…Unhappily however, there is no subject to which the camera so steadily refuses to do justice, and this outcome of Mrs Nettlefold’s taste must therefore go unpictured.”
COUNTRY LIFE MAGAZINE JULY 1ST 1911
We couldn't believe how much further ahead the blooms were than in our own gardens, Winterbourne must have its own microclimate.
After a stroll around the gardens we had lunch in the tearoom, the vegan rainbow roll with salad, homemade coleslaw and chutney was absolutely delicious, huge and brilliant value for money (menu
HERE).
My enthusiasm for gardening has waned of late but a wander around the Gilbert Orchid House, the Arid House and the numerous greenhouses offered so much inspiration I can hardly wait to get back from my holidays and get planting.
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I'm seriously tempted to create a shed like this at home. I could sit in there with a book for hours on end surrounded by plants and hopefully the sand should keep the slugs & snails at bay.
I love the cacti gardens we've visited in The Canaries and it's wonderful to see them reproduced on a smaller scale in the suburbs of Birmingham.
The gardener's office is equally fascinating.
Fancy seeing it for yourself?
Winterbourne House and Garden, 58 Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham B15 2RT
Open daily:
10.30 - 5pm (March to October)
10.30 - 4pm (November to February)
Adult Admission: £8
Back in the city centre we popped into London & North Western, the snazzy New Street Station branch of Wetherspoons, for a beer and a look at the carpet before catching the bus back to Walsall.
Thanks for a bostin' day out, Liz !
Well done if you're still with me, I hope your virtual visit to Winterbourne gave you as much inspiration as it did us.
Greece is calling....see you soon (ish!)
What a fabulous visit - the maid definitely had much more luxurious quarters than the last NT place I visited (Wordsworth House - she slept in the kitchen, poor girl).
ReplyDeleteGorgeous garden, visiting places always inspires me particularly when I am feeling overwhelmed by my own semi-feral patch.
Love the Gardener's Office too, but shudder at the knowledge of some of the toxic and vile chemicals they used to use very liberally.
Yes, I have been inspired, thank you Vix! Although, I am constantly inspired by you. I cannot wait for my flowers to bloom and to see yours bloom as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous property. And I especially love the Cacti house.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get, I am finding that I happily wear dresses on a regular basis. Never as stylishly as you do, however :)
"Get away with wearing a dress/matching patterns...?!" And then there's the matchy-matchy furniture suites paired with IKEAized accessories and regulation gray walls!? I blame the elimination of art and housekeeping/sewing ("home economics" here in the States) courses in secondary schools for this dearth of daring in clothing and decor. That, and a fad for "minimalism", which I equate with hospital- and gaol- sterile surfaces. * You do a public service in wearing your gloriously coordinated ensembles of fabrics and jewelery, Vix! (Me, I've attracted comments by simply pinning a scarf to a straw hat. Even the hat is a step up from a ball cap with logo...) * Thanks for this brochure-worthy tour! I could smell the Murphy's oil soap and the Mrs. Stewart's bluing liquid in that nursery.
ReplyDeleteI just love Arts & Crafts homes! Thank you so much for your wonderful pics, Vix! I'm totally stealing your line - "it's not a crime! there's nothing to get away with!" - the next time one of my colleagues says she couldn't "get away" with dressing like me! You and Liz look fabulous!
ReplyDeleteYou took great photos.
ReplyDeleteI love you turquoise vase and the colors of the interior of the house.
The garden is a paradise, breathtakingly beautiful.
Wow that looks a great place for a visit! I will be dreaming about those beautiful tiles, especially the turquoise ones .x
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way about dresses as you do! When did women start seeing dresses as difficult?
ReplyDeletePutting on a dress takes a minute.
It's by far the easiest way to get dressed.
As you pointed out, they can wear jeans underneath...nobody will know.
Anyway, you and your friend do look fabulous in your dresses.
You deserved all the compliments!
This Arts and Crafts home is wonderful!
I love how the garden is still used by students.
my favourite is the pic of the range cooker and the drying herbs above, copper pans - it reminds me of my grandmothers. You both look great in your dresses and your hat is a lovely addition. Yes, dresses over leggings and thermal vests , works for me too! I think gardens like these have something to inspire everyone and anyone to go home and get our hands in the soil. My grandparents were gardeners and took me once to their friend who had an orchid house in their garden, it was exquisite but the most memorable thing was how lovely and warm it was (in the days before central heating 1960 something)!!!
ReplyDeleteI remember your visit to Winterbourne House with Nikki, and it was an absolute treat to join you again on this visit. In fact, I knew where you'd been as Liz posted some pictures on Instagram and you were in one of them :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing property! I'll need to be scrolling through your photos of couple of times to take it all in.
I'm not surprised you and Liz were stopped and complimented on your outfits, and like Sheila I'll be stealing that line from you! What's wrong with women I wonder if they find wearing trousers easier than wearing dresses! xxx
What a wonderful house. The sort of house I'd dream of owning and all the amazing stuff in it; a visual treat. The gardens looked wonderful and as you say everything far in bloom; it must have it's own micro climate of its the attentions of the gardeners... I like the sound of the Nettlefords, too.
ReplyDeleteYou and Liz look lovely; shame to see you in coats/jackets; it was so warm here today none were required - for a bloody change! As for women thinking they can't away with a dress I wonder why they think they can't? It's odd. Your meal in the cafe looked delicious and 8.00 seems very reasonable for an entry fee to me.
Have a brilliant holiday!
xxx
My daughter's house is a 1900 craftsman and I see elements, many similarities to her house and Winterbourne, though I'm sure her house is probably 1/3 the size. I love her house- fits her bohemian style for use of color, and acceptance of not modernizing classic features. That greenhouse shed is a dream. I'd love to see you create something similar. I'd love me to create something similar but with our harsh winters, it'd be ruined for sure after one hard snow storm.
ReplyDeleteThose wooden framed greenhouses have such character. Winterbourne is beautiful and I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Nettlefold's sentiments.Bon Voyage and Happy trails.xxx
ReplyDeletePs I bought a dress today!
DeleteWhat a grand day out. Loved the house also the tiles, oh my the colours. The gardens look good too lots of colour. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a fabulous holiday. Regards Sue H
ReplyDeleteWow, I didn't know I needed a copper box for my slippers, but after seeing your photo apparently I do. Thanks for taking the time to write this up. Megan.
ReplyDeleteHow impressive Vix!
ReplyDeleteI really liked the post, what can I say first, the house that takes us back to our childhood, the greenhouse or the garden all fantastic!
Thanks for the presentation!
Have a good month!
What a brilliant day out, and all accessible by public transport for you too. Do you come back bursting with ideas for home, I know I do and it usually takes a few days for me to realise that I really don't need whatever it was that I fancied buying. But a greenhouse/shed with space for a beautiful wicker chair would be a fantastic idea in your garden. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous day out. Those giant blooms in that garden are to die for, and you look very at home pottering around in that enviable greenhouse. I'm a big fan of a cacti too. You and Liz look splendid in your dresses, I never understand people's comments about dresses. I find trousers often uncomfortable, I never feel nice in them and being tall, I can rarely get a pair that I'm happy with the fit of. Dresses are much easier. Have a great holiday. xx
ReplyDeleteI thoroughly enjoyed your last visit too. It's always the colour palette of this era which captures my heart. They are strong shades yet they seem to blend together without jarring. Thinking about it the artists are probably looking to the colours of nature in this country for their inspiration. Arilx
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice day you both had. I think you would do fabulously with a little greenhouse in your backyard. X
ReplyDeleteLovley place.
ReplyDeleteWinterbourne is definitely on my list. I can't quite believe we haven't made it there yet! Thanks for the wide angle views of the house. It looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at the idea that only a select few can "get away with" a dress!
The New Street Spoons looks incredible. Very steampunk! xxx
Such a great day out! I love to see beautiful gardens like this- the flowering Quince was at its zenith! You do look lovely! I think it's silly that people think they have to conform with what they wear- I love wearing dresses!x
ReplyDeleteHi Vix, many thanks for introducing me to Winterbourne House, it looks just my cup of tea. I just love the stunning inlaid copper boxes and the beaten copper slipper box. Georgeous. People say to me too, ' Where are you going to today in your nice dress?'. As if I have to be attending a smart function in order to wear a dress. What nonsense! Dresses make up most of my wardrobe and are always the items I search for most when shopping whether it be in the charity shops or vintage shops or otherwise. Like you my dresses are for everyday living.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful places.. you got some great pictures. Enjoy Greece!
ReplyDeleteI feel as though I walked around there with you. It looks like an amazing place
ReplyDeleteThanks for the beautiful pictures, that's such a beautiful house and totally my kind of architecture and style!. I'd happily join you for a visit!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with decorative details, wallpaper, tiles, and so fabulous gardens. Totally understand that you feel inspired to create something similar (those greenhouses are so cute!).
And both you and Liz look so gorgeous, I love particularly your coat!. Obviously, I agree with you about wearing a dress is not a crime! ;DD Sometimes people make curious remarks (somebody asked me if I was going to attend a wedding only because I was wearing a dress and matching jacket!)
besos