Tours round the grounds of the historic New Hall Hotel, one of Sutton Coldfield's oldest and most beautiful buildings. 

Tours at 11am and 2pm, Friday 6th September. £5 per ticket (on sale from the 3rd of August)

Booking essential

“Ryknield Street and getting around in the Roman West Midlands”

Talk by Dr Mike Hodder.

2pm, Friday 6th September

Holy Trinity Parish Church

Free - no booking required

An illustrated talk by renowned local archaeologist Dr Mike Hodder focussing on the well-preserved Roman road running through Sutton Park.  How, why and when were Roman roads built, and who used them?  What came before them, what went after them, and what was their impact, in Roman times and later?

Refreshments (donations welcome) will be available afterwards and a chance to chat to the speaker.

Parking available including disabled spaces.  10 minutes’ walk from Sutton Coldfield Railway station.  Bus stop at foot of Church Hill.

Assistance dogs welcome

Open day at St Peter’s Church, Maney Hill Road

10:00-14:00, Saturday 7th September

Free - No booking required

St Peter’s was consecrated in June 1905 by the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd Charles Gore, only 2 weeks after the Diocese of Birmingham had been formed. The brickwork contains Arts and Craft details and rainwater heads are cast with grotesque heads.

Drop in and explore the church at your leisure, or join a short guided tour of the building. Watch conservation work of the church’s windows being done or sit back and relax whilst listening to the beautiful organ. 

Members of the church will be on hand to answer questions and refreshments will be available for a donation.

Full address: St Peters C of E Church, 14 Maney Hill Road, Sutton Coldfield, B72 1JJ

There is limited parking available on the church grounds, at the front and to the side. There is some disabled parking to the right-hand side of the church building. Mobility access to the church is through the link-block at the rear of the church. Wheelchair access to the church building and most areas is possible, however access to the chancel is restricted by steps.

There are good public transport links with a number of buses stopping on Birmingham Road (X3,X4,X5, 905, 5) and within walking distance of both Wylde Green Train Station (35-40 minutes) and Sutton Coldfield Train Station (15-20 minutes).

History and Archaeology Task Force in Sutton Park

11am-c.4pm Saturday 7th September, meeting at the Visitors Centre

FREE but booking essential (booking opens 3rd of August)

Join the team of volunteers who meet each month to support the Sutton Park Rangers in preserving and recording the archaeology of the park. This month we will be working near  Keepers Pool, repairing and reinforcing the rhododendron dead hedge that protects the 16th-century boundary bank of Holly Hurst, with material that we will cut from nearby as part of habitat management. There should also be an opportunity to do some surveying and walkover surveys, as time permits.

Please wear warm and weatherproof outdoor clothing and footwear, and bring a packed lunch. Tools and gloves and hot drinks will be provided.

Meeting at 11am at the Visitors Centre, Sutton Park, B74 2YT. Nearest train station Sutton Coldfield (10min walk), Bus Sutton Coldfield (10min walk)

New Hall Valley walk with Birmingham Ramblers

10.30, Saturday 7th September

FREE but booking essential (booking opens 3rd August via Birmingham Heritage Week's website)

A circular walk of approximately four miles, focusing on the flora, fauna and points of heritage interest of Newhall Valley.  

We will walk along Plants Brook,  cross Wylde Green Road, turn uphill towards Walmley and walk along the top of the valley.  We walk down the drive to pass New Hall Hotel,  a magnificent moated building in beautiful grounds.   Our route then takes us to New Hall Water Mill.  A volunteer will guide us around the grounds, and explain the Mill’s fascinating history.  

Participants are advised to bring a drink and a snack, which we may consume at picnic tables within the grounds of the Mill.  Toilets are available at the Mill.  There is no charge for admission but a donation for the upkeep of the Mill would be much appreciated.

Histories of local train stations and their Victorian Station Masters  in Sutton Coldfield

Sutton Coldfield Train Station Booking Office

11am-3pm, Saturday 7th September

Free - Drop in anytime

Chester Road Railway Station Friends and the Friends of Wylde Green Station will be putting on a display in the booking hall of Sutton Railway Station with the aims: 

1. To inform people about how we are working to improve the environment of the stations and support the local wildlife and biodiversity.

2. To inform people about the history of the area surrounding Chester Road Station 

3. To inform people about the history of Victorian station masters and in particular the station masters of Chester Road Station, Wylde Green Station and Sutton Station

Memories of the Crown shops and Crown Pub, Four Oaks

The Crown Pub, Walsall Road 2-4pm, Sunday 8th September

FREE, no booking required

At this drop-in event come and share your memories of the Crown shops and Crown Pub and view the display of old photos and newspaper articles relating to the local area. We’d love to see your own old photos and hear your reminiscences and stories about the local area.

Full address: The Crown Pub on the corner of Four Oaks Rd and Walsall Rd, The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield B74 4RA

Car parking available at the pub but please remember to register your car at the bar to avoid a fine.

Monday 9th September

CINEma and Sutton Coldfield

A history of our favourite cinema in Sutton and a chance to view 80 years of cine film footage capturing Sutton Coldfield

Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, 4.30-6.30 , Monday 9th September

£4 

This very special event starts with an illustrated talk about the history of the newly refurbished  Royal Cinema, the art deco gem at Maney Corner, Birmingham Road in Sutton.

Odeon to Empire to Royal - the big personalities, the nostalgia, the place ... we take you on a journey to our cherished Cinema: the past, the present and a glittering future... ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls, sit back in your comfy seats, relax, and enjoy the ride...

This talk is organised in collaboration with Future of Cinema in Sutton (FoCiS) 

Following an interval (with the chance to buy refreshments from the bar) the lights will dim and we will be showing Sutton Coldfield captured in 80 years of films. 

A dedicated team from Sutton Coldfield  Movie Makers (SCMM) have been busy renovating films from their Club's archives. Their collection includes short Documentaries, Dramas, and Comedies made by local film-making enthusiasts since 1937. See how things have changed in Sutton Coldfield and the surrounding area from when the club was formed...AND...See if you can recognise anyone and where they were filmed!

Venue: Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall, Upper Clifton Rd, Sutton Coldfield B73 6DA

600 years! Hildegard to Haydn - A Concert by Sounds Historical 

7.30-9pm, Monday 9th September

Tickets £10 (adults), free for children and those in full time education

Booking essential - opens 3rd of August

'600 years! Hildegard to Haydn' showcases a wide and exciting variety of instruments, composers and styles, (rebec, gittern/medieval lute/recorders /medieval flutes/percussion/voice/theorbo/crumhorns/ renaissance lute/recorders, renaissance & Baroque flutes/ viols) all carefully researched and arranged, to provide an accessible journey through the changes and developments of music and instruments across 600 years!

The programme will include music by Hildegard von Bingen, Isaac, Alfonso X of Castile, Machaut, Dalza, Schlick, Attaignant, Susato, Cima, Simpson, de la Barre, Telemann, and Haydn.

Venue: Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Lichfield Rd, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2NH.

Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School was founded in 1527 by John Harman (otherwise known as Vesey) a native of Sutton Coldfield (born around 1462, died also at Sutton Coldfield in 1554). Vesey was Bishop of Exeter from 1519 to 1551 and from 1553 to 1554, and was a close adviser to King Henry VIII, a friend of Cardinal Wolsey and a tutor to Princess (later Queen) Mary. The original School was off Blind Lane (later Trinity Hill) near Holy Trinity Parish Church, but in 1729 a new School was built on its present site in Lichfield Road.

Sutton Park Archaeology Walk

11am-1pm, Tuesday 10th September

FREE - no booking required

A 2.5 mile walk through time with the Friends of Sutton Park Association around some of the many archaeological remains of the Park’s past. We will walk along part of the well-preserved Roman road, and we will also see the boundary of the medieval deer park, and banks and ditches that show how woods were managed.

This event is organised by Friends of Sutton Park Association.

Start at Banners Gate, Sutton Park, off Monmouth Drive/ Chester Road North. Nearest postcode B73 6JX

Car parking and toilets within Sutton Park near start point. No toilets on walk route

Coffee shop near start point

Walk is on rough grass and unsurfaced paths, and includes uneven surfaces and slopes

Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear essential. No shelter on route.

A tour of the Old Smithy

Tours at 11am and 1pm, Tuesday 10th September

£4, booking essential (booking opens 3rd of August)

During Birmingham Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield, Mr David Gilbert, the present owner and proprietor of the Driffold Gallery (which is housed in The Old Smithy ), will open his premises to the public

Visitors will be able to view the exterior and interior of what is believed to be Sutton Coldfield's oldest building dating from c.1400

Inside you will find 2 floors connected by a wooden staircase which has been replaced many times over the centuries. Old beams in plastered walls and ceilings and the massive 1400's timber cruck frame can clearly be seen from the upper floor rear wall. There are several 'hidden spaces' leading off the main areas with very old timber doors but because this is now a private residence, these little rooms are 'off limits' to the public; but they can be clearly spotted in the corners.

Full address: Driffold Gallery Birmingham Road, MANEY, Sutton Coldfield,B72 1QR

Tour of St Mary’s College, Oscott

9:30-11:30am, Wednesday 11th September

FREE but booking essential (booking opens 3rd of August)

St Mary’s College is a residential training college for young men who have entered into the vocation of training to be part of the Catholic Priesthood. It has been at its present location since 1838 and was decorated by the eminent Victorian architect, Augustus Welby Pugin. As a residential facility, the College is private property and only open to the public at limited times throughout the year.

The tour will take visitors around the public ground floor areas of the college, including the chapel, exhibition hall, library and dining rooms. 

Car parking is available at the front of the college, if using satnav please use postcode B73 5BB to come to the main gates on Chester road. There are a number of bus stops located near to the college on College Road and Chester Road and Chester Road train station is 30 minutes’ walk from the college grounds. 

Refreshments will not be available but there are numerous café’s and eateries located nearby.

Tour of nos. 46 and 52 High Street, Sutton Coldfield

1.45pm and 3pm, Wednesday 11th September

£4 (booking essential, opens 3rd of August)

A tour of these historic houses by the current owner, local historian Kerry Osbourne.

Arrangements will be circulated to booked visitors.  Admission only by booked ticket.

Not wheelchair accessible.

These are old buildings.  There are uneven floors in some places and stairs.  We regret that this is the nature of this tour that it cannot be fully accessible.  

No parking. 2 minutes from Sutton Coldfield Railway station and 10 minutes from Gracechurch Centre.

The Old Chester Road & Baldmoor – The Lake That Vanished

Chester Road Baptist Church, 7pm for 7.15 to finish at 9pm

Wednesday 11th September

£3 (booking essential, opens 3rd of August)

At this illustrated talk come and find out: 

How old the road might be and why it may have been called the Chester Road when it doesn’t go to Chester. Who moved the road and why it was known as the ‘Old’ Chester Road until the 20th Century. Which king’s army would have passed here. Learn about who travelled the road including highwaymen, the Welsh drovers, swimming cows, pigs in boots and men who knitted socks. Why the location of the lake is disputed and its ultimate fate. Why it’s no good looking for artefacts in our area. 

Address: Chester Road Baptist Church, Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield B73 5HU 

The church has been recently reordered so that it is completely accessible to wheelchair users.

There is a small car park at the church with space for 30 cars and Chester Road station, on the Cross City Line, is 5 minutes walk away. There is additional car parking at the station.

The car park at the church is monitored and should you park there you will need to enter your car’s details onto a screen in the entrance lobby.

Refreshments will be served during the break at a nominal cost.

 “Ebrook – from source to the Sea”  - an illustrated talk by Marian Baxter, chairman of Friends of Sutton Park Association

8pm-9.30pm, Thursday 12th September

Free to Sutton Coldfield Civic Society members, £4 in cash on the door to non-members (booking not possible/required)

This talk will be given at Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield B72 1TF and is organised in collaboration with Sutton Coldfield Civic Society. 

No events - do check out what is going on elsewhere in Birmingham as part of Birmingham Heritage Week!

Sutton Coldfield Masonic Hall Open Day

10am-2pm, Saturday 14th September

Free - no booking required

The present Masonic Hall was known as the Town Hall before it was purchased by the Freemasons (at a cost of £4100) and, in a certified copy of the document inserted in the foundation stone it is referred to as the Moot Hall - the stone being laid on the 25th August, 1858. It is likely that the consecration of the Warden Lodge was delayed until the building was completed. The Architect was G. Bidlake.

Full address: Masonic Hall, Mill Street, Sutton Coldfield. B72 1TJ. Please note that wheelchair access is at the rear of the building.

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Open Day

10am-2pm, Saturday 14th September

Entrance free, some activities will incur a charge and require booking (open from the 3rd of August)

The Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall is a locally listed building situated in Upper Clifton Road and is a place of inimitable character and regal charm. Over the course of its existence and near constant evolution, the Town Hall has at one time or other functioned either solely or simultaneously as; a hotel, a hospital, a theatre, a meeting place for councillors and even, for a time, a fire station.

The Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Hall is opening its doors this Heritage Day to you, we welcome you with arms wide open as we show you a rare glimpse of behind the scenes back stage and even on the roof tops offering you a wonderful view of Sutton Coldfield itself and the infamous clock tower.

Full wheelchair access to the Bedford suite stalls and Crush area with level access.
Accessible toilets.

Unfortunately, the tours are not wheelchair accessible due to stepped access to the basement and dressing rooms.

Our main entrance is located on Upper Clifton Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6DA.

BY CAR

Located in the centre of Sutton Coldfield Town, fifteen minutes from the M6/M42 motorways.

There is no parking onsite. There are a number of marked spaces on the road by King Edwards Square which are free after 6pm, including two spaces for drivers with valid disabled badges. There is a small drop-off point outside the Town Hall main entrance. There are several public car parks nearby.

BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Train: 

The Town Hall is one minutes’ walk from Sutton Coldfield Train Station, with departures every 10-20 minutes to Birmingham Grand Central Station (20 mins away) and Lichfield (20 mins), both linking to the national network.

For more information please visit: https://www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk/travel-information/station-information/sut

Bus: 

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall is served by the following bus routes 6, 76, 78

Holy Trinity Parish Church Sutton Coldfield Heritage Open Day

11am to 3pm (last admissions 2.30pm), Saturday 14th September

Entrance and most activities free. No booking required.

A chance to view this stunning Grade-I listed parish church and its partner building the Trinity Centre, to climb the church tower and to undertake activities associated with the church and Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield.

Holy Trinity Parish Church will be celebrating the national Heritage Open Day theme of Routes-Networks-Connections through stories and types of travel connecting the Church and the wider town of Sutton Coldfield in previous and modern times.
Our day will be officially opened by local dignitaries.  There will be fun activities for all ages including dressing up and photo opportunities.  

There will be stalls from local societies, and refreshments to keep you going.  Live music in a range of styles.  You will be able to explore our 700-year-old Grade 1 listed church building (where Bishop Vesey is buried) and our modern Trinity Centre.  Weather and height restrictions permitting, you can climb the church tower and see unrivalled views over the town and region.  You can also see our ancient sundial and the gravestone of Mary Ashford in the grounds of our conservation site which includes the colourful Vesey Gardens. Free guided church tours including the churchyard will be on offer.

Optional trips up the tower (weather permitting): £3 per adult.  Children fulfilling minimum height restriction free when accompanied by paying adult.

There is full access into both buildings.  The church only has steps up to the galleries, and both these and the tower are not suitable for the infirm.

The tower has high individual steps in a spiral staircase which is why there is a lower height limit for children and those with any experience of vertigo should not attempt the climb.  It is also an awkward exit at the top onto the tower parapet.  Parents wishing to take very small children up as well as those with a heart or lung condition are asked to sign an insurance disclaimer form.

There are images of both galleries on the church website as well as a video ‘tour’ of the tower climb and views.

Holy Trinity is at the top of the hill in central Sutton Coldfield at the junction of High Street (A5127), Coleshill Street and Mill Street. Entrance up Church Hill or by foot from top of Trinity Hill. 5 minutes walk from Sutton Coldfield Rail Station and Gracechurch Shopping Centre.

Car parking on day for disabled and drop-off only

Sutton Coldfield Masjid – Open Day

11am-3pm, Saturday 14th September

Tours at 11am, 12 Midday, 1pm and 2pm, 

Free, booking recommended (opens Saturday 3rd of August)

The Sutton Magistrate Courthouse was a landmark building, nestled between the Sutton Coldfield Police Station and the Fire Station on either side. The Courthouse was purchased by Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association and converted into a Masjid in June 2012. 

This is an opportunity to join a tour of the Masjid to learn about the history of this former magistrates’ court as well as the Masjid. 

Tours will be led on the hour by members of the Masjid community, and booking is recommended. Booking will open on the 3rd of August.

This event is organised by the Sutton Coldfield Muslim Association.

https://www.suttoncoldfieldmasjid.org/

Please note that while the building also looks onto Lichfield Road, the main entrance is on Anchorage Road right next to the Police Station. Our address is: Courthouse, Anchorage Road, Sutton Coldfield, B74 2PL

SatNav directions here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QPi8AiFANchZ7w5XA

There is a private car park of the Masjid towards the Anchorage Road entrance. The parking is free of charge. 

Please note that dogs are not allowed to come inside the Mosque. Visitors should be dressed modestly. Legs should be covered. Head scarf is optional but not compulsory. Visitors will be asked to take their shoes off when entering the prayer area. Wheelchair access is available to some parts of the building.

New Hall Water Mill Open day

10am to 4pm, Sunday 15th September

Free, no booking required

New Hall Mill, a Grade 2 listed building, is one of only two working water mills still surviving in Birmingham. It is privately owned by the New Hall Water Mill Preservation Trust, a registered charity, and is only open to the public for six days each year. It is a significant local example of our industrial heritage, and is located within the New Hall Valley Country Park, formerly farmland.

The present structure dates from the 18th Century, although some parts are much older. In the yard you can hear and see the large overshot water wheel turning, fed from water in the mill pond. Inside the mill you can access all three storeys and see the millstones grinding the wheat into flour, which is available to take home for a small donation. You are free to make your own way through the mill, where our friendly volunteers are on hand to guide you through the traditional process of milling.

The old farm buildings now house the tea room and gift shop/exhibition, and the miller's garden is maintained by the volunteers. You can explore the grounds including the meadow, stream and millpond and browse the visiting exhibitor stalls.

Full address: New Hall Mill, off Wylde Green Road, Sutton Coldfield, B76 1QU

Part wheelchair access to ground floor of the mill only. There is an accessible viewpoint across the millpond. Accessible toilet.

Inside the mill there are 3 storeys with stairs to climb. There are uneven surfaces throughout the building. There are uneven surfaces throughout the grounds, in the meadow and alongside the millpond.

Disabled parking is available near to the entrance gate.

Free car parking is in a field on the right after entering the lane off Wylde Green Road. Wylde Green Station is 30 minutes' walk from the mill. 

The nearest bus stop is in Walmley village, 10 minutes' walk away.

The mill tea room at the mill serves cream teas, coffee and cake.  Musical entertainment is provided in the mill yard by local groups. There are visiting exhibitors in the meadow with everything from fresh bread and hot baps, to craft stalls. There is a meadow hunt and facepainting for the kids.  In the old stables there is a gift shop and exhibition room, and Auntie Wainwright's sells a large assortment of second hand items. The miller's garden has a selection of plants and produce available to buy.

This event is organised by The Friends of New Hall Mill

Sutton Coldfield Royal Variety: 500 years in the making!

Full details coming soon

Plans are underway for a Royal Sutton Coldfield Variety Concert, celebrating the talent and diversity of creative and performing arts that enrich Sutton here and now - the heritage of the future! If you would like to be involved, please contact suttoncoldfield.royalvariety@gmail.com

Sutton Coldfield Heritage Network is very grateful to Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust for its support of our programmer of events.