Winterbourne House & Garden: Edwardian Elegance Meets Botanical Splendor in Birmingham
Discover Edwardian charm and botanical beauty in Winterbourne’s exquisite Arts and Crafts house and seven-acre Grade II listed garden in Birmingham.
Winterbourne House & Garden is a beautifully preserved Edwardian Arts and Crafts suburban villa and seven-acre botanical garden in Birmingham. Built in 1904 for the Nettlefold family, the red-brick house features exquisite period interiors and craftsmanship. The Grade II listed gardens, inspired by Gertrude Jekyll, showcase over 6,000 native and exotic plants, including a walled garden, rock garden, glasshouses, and themed borders. Now owned by the University of Birmingham, it offers a tranquil retreat blending history, horticulture, and art.
A brief summary to Winterbourne House & Garden
- 58 Edgbaston Park Rd, Birmingham, B15 2RT, GB
- +441214143003
- Visit website
- Duration: 1 to 3 hours
- Mid ranged
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 10:30 am-4 pm
- Tuesday 10:30 am-4 pm
- Wednesday 10:30 am-4 pm
- Thursday 10:30 am-4 pm
Local tips
- Visit on weekdays to enjoy a quieter experience and take advantage of the tearoom’s freshly made lunches and teas.
- Explore the glasshouses to see collections of orchids, alpines, cacti, and carnivorous plants.
- Don’t miss the crinkle-crankle walled garden and the Japanese bridge, key features of the historic landscape.
- Check for special events like the Rare Plant Fair for unique horticultural experiences.
- The house and garden are mostly wheelchair accessible; contact the venue ahead for detailed accessibility information.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Restrooms
- Drink Options
- Food Options
- Seating Areas
- Picnic Areas
- Trash Bins
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Train
Take the train to University station on Birmingham’s Cross City Line, approximately 15-20 minutes from Birmingham New Street. From there, a 15-minute walk through Edgbaston leads to Winterbourne House & Garden. Trains run frequently with tickets costing around £3-£5.
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Bus
Several local bus routes serve Edgbaston Park Road, including numbers 9, 10, and 76. Travel times from Birmingham city centre range from 20 to 30 minutes. Buses run regularly, with single fares around £2-£3. Note that some stops require a short uphill walk.
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Car
Driving from Birmingham city centre takes about 15-25 minutes depending on traffic. Free parking is available on site, and the location is just off the A38. Accessibility is good, but parking spaces can be limited on busy days.
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Walking
For those staying nearby, walking is a pleasant option. The terrain is mostly flat with paved paths, taking approximately 20-30 minutes from the University of Birmingham campus. The route is wheelchair accessible.
Winterbourne House & Garden location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
Discover more about Winterbourne House & Garden
A Glimpse into Edwardian Life and Architecture
Winterbourne House was commissioned in 1903 by industrialist John Sutton Nettlefold as a family home for his wife Margaret and their children. Completed in 1904, the house is a striking example of the Arts and Crafts movement, characterized by its red brick façade, ornate chimneys, and large windows designed to maximize natural light. Inside, visitors can admire original features such as stained glass, decorative fireplaces, and intricate plasterwork by local craftsman George Bankart. The interiors are furnished with period pieces and William Morris wallpapers, offering an authentic Edwardian atmosphere. A full-length portrait of Margaret Nettlefold by John Byam Liston Shaw greets guests at the hallway’s end, symbolizing the home's personal history.Gardens Rooted in Arts and Crafts Philosophy
The seven-acre gardens surrounding Winterbourne are a rare surviving example of an early 20th-century suburban villa garden, designed largely by Margaret Nettlefold with inspiration from renowned garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. The gardens are Grade II listed and feature classic Arts and Crafts elements such as the crinkle-crankle walled garden, broad curved stone steps, and a pleached lime walk. Visitors can explore vibrant herbaceous borders, a sunken rock garden, and a lean-to glasshouse housing orchids, alpines, and cacti. The garden’s plant collections include species from China, the Americas, and alpine regions, creating a rich tapestry of color, scent, and texture year-round.Legacy of Passionate Gardeners and Academic Stewardship
After the Nettlefold family sold Winterbourne in 1919, subsequent owners like John MacDonald Nicolson expanded the garden with features such as a Japanese bridge, scree garden, and pergola. Nicolson’s influence remains evident today, especially in the garden’s structure and plantings. Upon his death in 1944, the University of Birmingham inherited the property, transforming it into a botanic garden used for research and education by the Department of Botany. The house also served as a residence and later as the university’s School of Continuing Studies. Today, Winterbourne is open to the public, offering insight into horticultural heritage and Edwardian lifestyle.Experiencing Winterbourne Today
Visitors can stroll through peaceful gardens, enjoy views from the wisteria-framed terrace, and relax in the charming tearoom offering lunch and afternoon tea. The garden’s varied features, including a nut walk, woodland areas, and a Japanese tea house—humorously likened to a bus stop—invite exploration and contemplation. Educational exhibitions in the former stable block narrate the garden’s history, while the botanical glasshouses showcase diverse plant species. The site is wheelchair accessible, with amenities such as accessible parking, toilets, and picnic areas, making it welcoming for a broad audience.Seasonal Highlights and Botanical Diversity
Winterbourne’s gardens provide year-round interest, with color-themed borders blooming from spring through autumn and exotic plants thriving in the glasshouses. The garden’s design encourages visitors to engage with nature’s cycles and appreciate botanical diversity. The presence of large Gunnera manicata leaves near the pond and Japanese bridge adds an exotic flair, reflecting the garden’s history of plant introductions. Regular events and plant fairs further enrich the visitor experience, celebrating horticulture and garden conservation.Preservation and Cultural Significance
As a Grade II listed site, Winterbourne House & Garden represents an important cultural and architectural heritage asset. Its preservation allows visitors to connect with early 20th-century suburban villa living and the Arts and Crafts movement’s ideals. The garden’s stewardship by the University of Birmingham ensures ongoing research, education, and public engagement, maintaining Winterbourne as a vibrant and cherished landmark in Birmingham’s urban landscape.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Cannon Hill Park
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The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
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The High Field
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Edgbaston Village
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Selly Manor Museum
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Essential places to dine
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Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
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Harvey Nichols
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Relaxing
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Vintage Styles
- Rustic Designs
- Art Deco Styles
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Parks & Gardens
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- Photo Spots
- Aesthetic Corners
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Sustainable
- Eco-Friendly
- Protected Area
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nature Escape
- Day Trip
- Weekend Getaway
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Wheelchair Access
- Pet Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Vegetarian Friendly
- Vegan Friendly
