Castle Bromwich Hall

Castle Bromwich Hall in Birmingham (Castle Bromwich, on the Solihull border) is a brick Jacobean mansion carrying Grade I status, the highest level of heritage protection in England. Beside it lies a restored Baroque walled garden that welcomes visitors. The house and gardens are run separately, so it helps to know what is open to you.

What is Castle Bromwich Hall?

The house was built between 1557 and 1585 for Sir Edward Devereux, the first baronet of Castle Bromwich. In the 1600s the estate passed to the Bridgeman family, who enlarged the house and shaped the surrounding grounds. Today the building is a hotel. The gardens have their own entry on the national Register of Parks and Gardens at Grade II*.

What can you see in the gardens?

The gardens cover about ten acres inside old brick walls. After decades of neglect they were rescued in 1985 by the Castle Bromwich Gardens Trust, which leases the land from Birmingham City Council and has been recreating the layout from around 1700.

• Formal Baroque beds and clipped hedges along straight, symmetrical paths.
• A holly maze modelled on the famous one at Hampton Court.
• Historic walls and gates, together with an orangery and former garden buildings, each separately listed.
• A kitchen garden with fruit, vegetables and herbs grown by traditional methods.

Can you go inside the Hall?

The Hall is not a museum. It operates as a hotel, so interiors are mainly for hotel guests, diners and event bookings. You can still admire the brick facade from the gardens and surrounding grounds.

How do you get there, and when should you go?

Castle Bromwich lies about 10 km east of Birmingham city centre. A car or taxi is the easiest way. City buses run from the centre towards Castle Bromwich, and Castle Bromwich railway station is nearby.

The gardens open seasonally, generally from spring to October, with hours that differ between weekdays and weekends. Check the trust's website for the current calendar and prices before you travel. Late spring and summer are best, when the borders are in flower and the hedges are at their sharpest.

Frequently asked questions

Is Castle Bromwich Hall open to the public? The gardens are, in season and on the trust's schedule. The Hall is a hotel, so interiors are limited to guests.

What heritage status does it have? The Hall is Grade I listed, and the gardens are Grade II* on the Register of Parks and Gardens.

How long should I allow for a visit? Around one and a half to two hours covers the gardens, the maze and a stop for tea.

Is there a maze? Yes, a holly maze inspired by the one at Hampton Court.