Birmingham plus 1 – An excursion to the suburbs of Birmingham, plus Coleshill
When
Where
Birmingham
Robin Draper is attempting to get back to church touring!
He intends to return to the “Possibly by Samuel Baldwin” theme sometime soon, but for now he wants to share monumental history in the suburbs of his hometown, and a not too distant monumentally rich church just over the border in Warwickshire. As well as excellent monuments, all churches on this tour share a common feature – fine stone spires.
We will assemble at Birmingham International Station, to meet the coach for an 11:00am departure. Birmingham International is served by Avanti West Coast services from London Euston (Services for Birmingham New Street and/or Wolverhampton). Most Virgin Cross-Country services between the north-west and the south also call at Birmingham International. Other journeys from around the country can be made with a connection at Birmingham New Street for Birmingham International (with a frequent service – journey time about 10 minutes). Please note that Birmingham Internationals’ toilet facilities are on the station platforms.
Please refer to www.nationalrail.co.uk , or train operator websites for details of journeys and ticketing.
The coach will then take us to visit the following:
Coleshill, St Peter and St Paul. Although in Warwickshire, this church is included because it is close to our starting point and includes a magnificent collection of monuments. Here we find brasses, 14th century knights, 16/7th century Burton-upon-Trent work and much more.
We move on to Yardley, St Edburga. Amongst the monuments here we can include an unusual “cave” monument, and a brass whose description by Revd Herbert Haynes might today be regarded as politically questionable! We will take lunch here.
Our next call will be Aston St Peter and St Paul, just up the road from from that other Birmingham football team…. Here within sight of Aston Hall the magnificent Victorian church with its medieval tower and spire contains a truly interesting collection of monuments to various local families including the Holtes of Aston Hall. We even have an effigial “odd couple”.
We will finish our tour at the church of King’s Norton, St Nicholas. It shares its village centre with the Old Grammar School and the Saracen’s Head, both fine timber framed buildings. Unusually, most of the monuments of size are now positioned under the tower, with the post reformation period well represented.
At the end of this visit, the coach will return us to Birmingham International Railway Station.
The cost to CMS, MBS and Mausolea and Monuments Trust members is £40.00 (£45.00 to non-members). This includes the cost of a coach, donations to or fees for participating churches, and for lunch. Downloadable booking form below.
Booking form for Birmingham tour