Northfield is found 7 miles South of Birmingham city center, UK, and is a suburb of the city on the A38 main road South to Bristol. The village was mentioned in the Domesday book as Nordfeld. Please leave your comments underneath. Comeback soon & enjoy visit here.
Showing posts with label Griffin Close. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Griffin Close. Show all posts

Gate House at Northfield Manor


The Gate House to The Manor, Griffin Close 1970. The Road has been re-named New House Farm Drive. The student flats built in the 1970's have been demolished and new housing has been built here. The cottage still remains but sadly no more romantic sunsets due it being dwarfed by newer buildings.  (photo: Geoffrey Williams)  

The Manor House property had belonged to the University of Birmingham since 1953, when it was bought from the Cadbury family. A farm house, part of the Manor of Northfield, belonging to the Jervoise family, was recorded as being on the site circa 1750. In 1809 the estate was purchased by Daniel Ledsam, a London merchant. It is believed that he made alterations to the house and was responsible for the current main building.George Cadbury bought the house in 1890 and the Cadburys moved there from Woodbrooke, in Selly Oak, Birmingham, in 1894. They lived there together until George's death at the house in 1922. Elizabeth continued to reside there until her own death in 1951, aged 93. During the Second World War she invited the Friends' Ambulance Unit to use the grounds as a training centre.

Student City


Birmingham University Student accommodation at Griffin Close 1972. About 20 of these blocks were built in the parkland of Northfield Manor House estate. They were shared flats with common rooms etc. Some students treated them with respect others were like characters in the 'Young Ones' TV series. I spent many hours repairing TV's in here and have fond memories of them. Only local tradesmen would have memories of these flats because after a few months the students would travel back home to their respective parts of the UK and take with them the memories. Blocks have all been pulled down now and private houses have been built, but it was doomed I suppose being named after the devil.