Where is the Northfield Manor House?

The Northfield Manor House is at Manor House, 86 New House Farm Drive, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 2GJ

 

In brief

Manor Farm as it was known, was home to Mr George & Mrs Elizabeth Cadbury, when George purchased the property in 1890. They lived in the house until his death in 1922 and hers in 1951. After which the house was taken over by the University of Birmingham, and Birmingham City Council opened up the estate as Manor Farm Park. Renamed to The Manor House, it was converted to a Hall of Residence in 1958 by architect H W Hobbiss. Arsonists (teenagers) burnt the Manor House down in 2014, and it was partially demolished in 2015. But The Manor House was fully restored from 2019 to 2021, at the same time as new housing being built around the estate.

Northfield Manor House (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

The Manor House, Northfield - history

The Northfield Manor House was known as Manor Farm, when it was home to George and Elizabeth Cadbury.

A farm house that was part of the Manor of Northfield, belonged to the Jervois family was recorded as being on the site circa 1750.

In 1809 the estate was purchased by Daniel Ledsam, a London Merchant.

It was believed that he made alterations to the house and was responsible for the current main building.

Mr George Cadbury bought the house in 1890.

It is a mock Tudor style stone and brick house with timber-framing, projecting porch and carved bay windows by George Gadd, who also designed some of the early Cadbury factory buildings at Bournville.

The Cadbury's moved there from Woodbrooke in Selly Oak around 1894.

They lived together until George's death in 1922.

During WW2, Elizabeth Cadbury invited the Friends' Ambulance Unit to use the grounds as a training centre.

Elizabeth continued to live there until her own death in 1951, aged 93.

The property had belonged to the University since 1953.

On buying the property, the University renamed it to The Manor House, and it was converted for use from 1958 as a hall of residence by H W Hobbiss.

Additional wings were added.

Northfield Manor House. Courtesy the Friends of Manor Farm Park

 

It ceased being a hall of residence in 2007.

The Manor House fell into dereliction in the years since then.

Windows were boarded up or smashed.

The Northfield Manor House in 2011. Photo by Robert Jones

 

In July 2014, three teenagers burnt the manor house down.

There was plans to sell The Manor House to Banner Homes for redevelopment.

On behalf of the University of Birmingham, part of the Manor House was demolished in June 2015.

Between 2019 and 2021 The Manor House was fully restored, at the same time as new houses and flats being built on New House Farm Drive and Manor House Drive.

Northfield Manor House (April 2022). Photography by Elliott Brown