The Woodman, Eastside - A Birmingham Gem!

The Woodman is a Victorian public house on the corner of New Canal Street and what was formerly part of Albert Street (now Eastside City Park). Built 1896-97 by James & Lister Lea.


Where is The Woodman?

The Woodman is at New Canal Street, Eastside, Birmingham, B5 5LG. Next to the original Curzon Street Station, HS2 and Eastside City Park.

 

In brief

A Grade II listed Victorian public house built 1896-97 by James & Lister Lea. The Woodman was on the corner of New Canal Street and Albert Street. But the Eastside part of Albert Street was converted to Eastside City Park during 2011-12. The only pub to survive while HS2 is building the high speed terminus at Curzon Street. It is a venue where local artists can display their art on the walls of the pub. Sadly the pub is closing down in August 2022 due to HS2.

The Woodman from Eastside City Park (January 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Woodman - history

Near the end of the 19th Century, James & Lister Lea designed various pubs in the Birmingham area.

The Woodman was built on the corner of New Canal Street and Albert Street from 1896 to 1897.

A two storey Victorian public house, built of red brick and terracotta for the Ansells Brewery.

It was built next to the old Curzon Street Station terminus building.

The pub has wide windows, with brick mullions.

Inside is a public bar with original counter.

The Smoke Room has the original seating and tiling.

It was listed Grade II in 1985.

The WoodmanSnow and The Woodman from Albert Street in Eastside (January 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By the winter of 2010, The Woodman was under new ownership.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from New Canal Street in Eastside (February 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

With Eastside City Park under construction from September 2011, Albert Street outside of The Woodman was closed, and at the time you had to take a diversion to New Canal Street to get to Curzon Street.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from New Canal Street in Eastside (September 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Eastside City Park was partially opened by December 2012, and you could once again see the front of The Woodman, with the new paving in the park.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from Eastside City Park (December 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Eastside City Park was officially opened by the then leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore, outside of The Woodman around March 2013.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from Eastside City Park (March 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By the autumn of 2013, The Woodman had been refurbished, this included new pub signs of a woodman chopping down a tree!

The WoodmanThe Woodman from Eastside City Park (October 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Before HS2 took over part of Eastside City Park, drinkers at The Woodman could enjoy a pint on the picnic tables outside of the pub, at least by the summer of 2019.

The Woodman from Eastside City Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Near the end of the third lockdown in Spring 2021, HS2 were repaving part of Eastside City Park in front of The Woodman. The pub would reopen once restrictions were eased in the summer.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from Eastside City Park (April 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By the spring of 2022, HS2 had scaffolded the original Curzon Street Station for a full restoration. There was limited access to New Canal Street, other than to pedestrians. But you can now walk past The Woodman if coming from Fazeley Street in Digbeth.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from New Canal Street (March 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Street art mural on the back of The Woodman in time for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Near where they store the rubbish outside.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from New Canal Street (July 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Sadly The Woodman closed for good on Friday 12th August 2022, due to HS2.

 

As of 2023, The Woodman looks to be in good condition externally despite being closed.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from Curzon Street (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Another look at The Woodman at the end of 2023.

The WoodmanThe Woodman from Curzon Street (December 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

16 May 2022 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Food & drink, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com