Haden Hill House and Haden Old Hall in the West Midlands

If you love history then I think it would be fair to say that you would enjoy a visit to a historic house. Featuring striking architecture and decor, such properties usually tell the tale of their owners and the eras gone by. One such property in the West Midlands is Haden Hill House. 

Set in around 55 acres of beautiful parkland, Haden Hill House is a former Victorian residence that is now open to the public. It is furnished as a museum with Victorian objects and tells the story of George Alfred Haden-Best.

Tucked away between residential lanes in Cradley Health is the entrance to Haden Hill House. Located right next to Haden Hill House is the Haden Old Hall also known as the Tudor Hall. Both these buildings have housed generations of the Hadens family and are an important part of the Black Country's heritage.

The Hadens settled in the Black Country sometime in the 11th century. Over the centuries the family slowly and steadily rose from being modest farmers to wealthy farmers and eventually to wealthy landowners who rented out portions of their land.

The Haden Old Hall, also referred to as the Tudor Hall, is located right next to the Victorian Haden Hill House and was originally a large farm house. With its strategic position on the hill, it became an important aspect of the local area. It would have been one of the biggest houses locally in those times.

Inside the Haden Old Hall (above)

George Alfred Haden-Best was born in 1839 at Congreaves Hall and went on to study at St John's College in Cambridge. In the late 1870s he inherited the family estates and set about building a modern home (the Haden Hill House) for himself. He had grown up in the Old Hall which lacked modern facilities and so his new home had features likes piped water, underfloor heating, flush toilets etc.

The Library at Haden Hill House (above), The Drawing Room at Haden Hill House (below)

It is said that George Alfred Haden-Best's intention was to eventually demolish the Old Hall so that the new house could be extended. But his aunt Mary Barrs continued to live in the Old Hall and his idea never reached fruition.

After George Alfred's death in 1921, the bulk of his estate was left to his nephews who decided to sell it. It was eventually purchased by a local committee with the money for the purchase being raised from the local businesses and people. The entire estate was then handed over to Rowley Regis Council and was finally opened to the public in 1922.

Since then the buildings have been in use in many different capacities, have undergone restoration (due to a fire) and are today open to the public with a lot of Victorian artefacts and furniture on display. Haden Hill House also hosts a range of events, exhibitions and activities throughout the year.

We visited in the weekend prior to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and one of the special exhibits at Haden Hill House Museum was 'The Queen's Quilt' or the Cradley Heath Community Quilt (picture below) which is a patchwork quilt that was created by residents and some community groups in the local area. Featuring 100 fabric squares, the indivudual squares were created by people of all ages and skill levels and then put together by a team of volunteers.

Entry to both the houses is free but at times there is a small charge for special events and activities.

In addition to the two houses, visitors can also enjoy the expansive parklands which has two water bodies. 

There are a number of foot-friendly paths that take you through a woodland and at some points offer lovely views too (of the Lickey Hills).

In one section of the parkland there is a children's playground too.

For those interested in a longer walk, you could include the Congreaves Nature Reserve in your walking route.

Overall, it is great place to spend a few hours or even to enjoy a day out.

Good to know

- There is a small car park onsite and parking is free. There is disabled parking at the rear of the house where the disabled access is located.
- A lift is available for disabled visitors to allow access to the top floor.
- There is a tearoom on site too.
- A seasonal programme of events and activities is held at Haden Hill House. Some events require a ticket/pre-booking.
- Guide dogs are welcome.

For more information, you can get in touch with Haden Hill House at [email protected] or call them on 01384 569444.

Haden Hill House and Haden Old Hall | Halesowen Rd, Cradley Heath B64 7JU