Aston Hall
About 3 miles from the city centre in the Aston Park Birmingham , the Aston Hall is still dominating the area with its beautiful turrets, gables and chimneys. It is famous for its great staircase and a long gallery and dining room.
The Hall was built between 1618 and 1635 by Sir Thomas Holte and can be counted to the last grand Jacobean houses to be built in England. In 1643 the house was damaged by Parliamentary Troops whereas some of the damage caused by a cannonball can still be seen today.
It remained always in the Holte family until 1817 when it was sold and leased by James Watt Jr, a son of the world-famous industrial pioneer James Watt.
Aston Hall is furnished with property of the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery. Among other things: paintings, textiles and metalwork decorate the museum. Every two years the Aston Hall is celebrating "Aston Hall by candlelight" where actors are playing a mock scene from the 17th century and light 500 candles.
