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CASTLE BROMWICH HISTORIC GARDENS

Partner Garden
Free access for RHS members at selected times

Chester Road
Castle Bromwich
Birmingham
B36 9BT

5 miles from city centre, just off B4114.

10 acres

Tel
0121 749 4100

Visit website

Opening Hours

Please see website for opening dates and times

Admission

Please see website for admission prices.

RHS members

Free access (member 1 only for joint memberships) applies when open.

Facilities

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children's activities
  • Dogs welcome
  • Free carer entry
  • Gift shop
  • Parking
  • Picnic area
  • Plant sales
  • Refreshments
  • Toilets

Features

  • Autumn colour
  • Wildlife planting and features
  • Woodland

About the garden

Owned by
The Castle Bromwich Hall and Gardens Trust

Four hectares (10 acres) of rescued 17th-18th century, pre-Capability Brown gardens give a taste of a baroque country estate in a 21st century city. There are formal walks, parterres, espaliered fruit, a holly maze and vegetable garden as well as family-friendly wild areas.

Although not a botanical garden, the Trust tries to maintain a period-relevant style and species, keeping to the period 1680-1760. Among the 600 different trees, plants and shrubs are two apple and pear orchards growing ancient heritage species. Apple juice, honey and vegetables on sale seasonally form the outdoor courtyard shop and cafe.

During the 17th–18th century, the Bridgeman family developed and extended the gardens to the designs of George London and William Winde (tercentenary exhibition from 2022). The fashion-conscious Sir Henry Bridgeman (1725-1800) can be thanked for the complete nature of the current Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens. When Sir Henry inherited the title Earl of Bradford and moved to Weston Park, Castle Bromwich was left in the ‘old style’ while Sir Henry commissioned Lancelot 'Capability' Brown to run his 18th-century 'bulldozer' through Weston to create a more modern style.    

The main walls, orangery and music room and garden shapes remained intact, to be rediscovered, rescued and restored by the independent Trust in the 1980s. Although set only yards from junction 5 of the M6, the garden is a quiet green haven from the hectic and industrialised surroundings and happily served as a place or respite and relaxation for local people during the recent pandemic restrictions. The adjacent 30 acres of historic parkland are now a Local Nature Reserve and free to roam, with the Trust embarking on a series of improvements to paths and nature trails. Snowdrops, daffodils and tulips suit the formal gardens well in spring and box, yew, hornbeam and holly hedges provide a framework for some summer and lots of autumn colour.

The gardens run more than 100 different cultural, seasonal events and other public activities throughout the year and are adjacent to the ancestral Jacobean Hall.

Please note: this garden is partially accessible.

Plants of special interest

  • Daffodils
  • Fruit blossom
  • Fruit bushes/trees
  • Hellebores
  • Herbs
  • Snowdrops
  • Spring bulbs
  • Vegetables
  • Wildflowers

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.