Highbury Hall - a historic gem in Birmingham!

Highbury Hall is Grade II* listed building built for Joseph Chamberlain in 1879. Take the link for more from our People with Passion on this historic gem.


Highbury Hall is located on Yew Tree Road in Moseley, Birmingham. It was the home of Joseph Chamberlain from 1880 until his death in 1914.

Highbury Hall (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The History of Highbury Hall
Highbury Hall was built as the home of Joseph Chamberlain between 1878 and 1879. The architect was John Henry Chamberlain (who was of no relation).  Chamberlain moved in during 1880 and lived here until his death in 1914. It took it's name from the Highbury area of London where he lived as a child. The house is now a Grade II* listed building, and now run by the Chamberlain Highbury Trust (who took over from Birmingham City Council).  The Birmingham Civic Society unveiled a blue plaque for Joseph Chamberlain in 1990. The Highbury Estate later became a park, opening as Highbury Park in 1930. More recently, as of 2021, the Chamberlain Highbury Trust has been working to restore the grand old hall, as well as the paths leading to it from the park, and the views of the hall from the park.

Highbury HallHighbury Hall open day (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The main entrance to Highbury Hall is through gates on Yew Tree Road, but they can sometimes be locked when the hall isn't open.

Highbury HallHighbury Hall (August 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

You can access the rear of Highbury Hall from Highbury Park, following the paths via Chamberlain's Gardens. As of 2021, this area is closed while new paths are being laid, during the restoration of Highbury Hall. This includes removing damaged trees.

Highbury HallHighbury Hall (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

A brief tour of Highbury Hall

You enter through the doors from the car park into the porch. The main entrance leads to the main hall.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

One of the rooms on the ground floor can be used for weddings and dinners, or presentations. On the Open Day in 2018, there was displays on Highbury's history, including on Neville Chamberlain.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Up the main staircase to the first floor landing. There is portraits of members of the Chamberlain family on the wall. Including Joseph and Neville. There is a chandelier in the middle, and stained glass windows near the staircase.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

This is The West Room. There is good views of the Formal Garden from the windows. At one point this room was used as a ward with ten beds, and later as a bedroom of the Superintendent in charge of the home for the elderly.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Next up is Mr Joe's Room. It was Joseph Chamberlain's bedroom after he married his second wife Mary. Known as Mr Joe's Room, it was connected to Miss Hilda's Room. It later became a sitting room for Beatrice, the daughter of Joseph.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Miss Hilda's Room is next. This was initially Joseph Chamberlain's bedroom but following his marriage to Mary Endicott, it became the bedroom of Beatrice Chamberlain, Joseph's eldest daughter. It was connected to Mr Joe's room, which became Beatrice's sitting room. During the September 2018 open day, women in period costume dressed as Suffragettes. At the end of World War 1, women got the vote, and were able to vote in the December 1918 General Election for the first time.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The final room to see upstairs was The Carnegie Room. This room was designed as the principal master bedroom at Highbury, and was initially occupied by Beatrice Chamberlain, Joseph Chamberlain's eldest daughter. When Joseph Chamberlain married his second wife in 1888, Mary Endicott, this room became Mary's bedroom. When Highbury was used as a hospital, The Carnegie Room was used as a ward with ten beds, and later became a committee room for the managers of the home for the elderly. A typical Carnegie style bed to the far left hand side of the bedroom. But this was part of the furniture purchased by the Council in 1984 for this room.

Highbury HallAn open day visit to Highbury Hall (September 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Contact Details

Highbury Hall

4 Yew Tree Road

Moseley

Birmingham

B13 8QG

 

The Chamberlain Highbury Trust

Project dates

05 Aug 2018 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com