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.
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
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