DiCamillo Companion
England

Aston Hall (Estone)

Birmingham

West Midlands

England

Historic County: Warwickshire

Circa Date: 1618-35 w/late 17th, 18th & 19th century alterations and additions

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: Yes

Country House: Yes

This house has been used for TV and Film

The House from a circa 1911 postcard

A late 19th century lithograph of the gallery from Joseph Nash's "Interiors of Old English Mansions"

A late 19th century lithograph of the drawing room from Joseph Nash's "Interiors of Old English Mansions"

A late 19th century lithograph of the staircase from Joseph Nash's "Interiors of Old English Mansions"

Washington Irving stayed at Aston in the early 19th century.

  • Earlier Houses: There was at least one earlier house on, or near, the site of the current house.

    Built / Designed For: Sir Thomas Holte

    House & Family History: Aston's origins trace back to the Domesday Book (1086-87), when it was called Estone. The Estate went through the ownership of a number of families before coming to John atte Holte on his marriage in 1367. The Holte family became a major Warwickshire family and were seated at Aston for 200 years. Aston was purchased by the City of Birmingham in 1864 following a fund-raising drive. The Birmingham Corporation was the first local authority in Britain to acquire a major historic building and ensure its preservation as an ancient monument. Aston Hall is today operated as a museum by the city. In mid-2009 the House reopened after it and the grounds had undergone a £10 million redevelopment, including the conversion of the derelict Stables into an information center for visitors. The 19th century American author Washington Irving (see "Images" section) published "The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent." in 1819-20; this work included four essays on old English Christmas traditions that Irving experienced while staying at Aston Hall. The stories attracted Dickens, who was likely influenced by Irving's tales in his creation of "A Christmas Carol." "Bracebridge Hall" (aka "The Humorists"), written by the American author in 1821 (published in 1822), focuses on the occupants of an English manor house called Bracebridge Hall, which was based on Aston. Irving took the name of his fictional house from Abraham Bracebridge, husband of the last member of the Holte family to live here.

  • Garden & Outbuildings: Aston Hall today sits in 52 acres of historic parkland.

  • Architect: John Thorpe

    Date: 1618
    Designed: House

    View all houses

  • Title: Art Treasures of England: The Regional Collections
    Author: Waterfield, Giles; et al.
    Year Published: 1998
    Reference: pg. 34
    Publisher: London: Royal Academy of Arts
    ISBN: 0900946598
    Book Type: Softback

  • House Listed: Grade I

    Park Listed: Grade II

  • "Kings and Queens of England, Volume I" (1993). "King Charles I: The Royal Martyr" (1994). "Nostradamus: The Story of the Man and His Prophecies" (1997 - video).

  • Past Seat / Home of: SEATED AT EARLIER HOUSES: John atte Holte, 14th century; Thomas Holte I, 16th century; SEATED AT CURRENT HOUSE: Sir Thomas Holte, 17th century; Sir Lister Holte, 18th century. James Watt, Jr., 19th century.

    Current Ownership Type: Government

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Mixed Use

    Ownership Details: Owned by and operated by Birmingham City Council

  • House Open to Public: Yes

    Phone: 01213-488-100

    Website: https://www.birminghammuseums.org.uk

    Historic Houses Member: No

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