Gardens Project - Highbury Hall

©Cadbury Research Library Special Collections University of Birmingham
©Cadbury Research Library Special Collections University of Birmingham
©Cadbury Research Library Special Collections University of Birmingham
©Cadbury Research Library Special Collections University of Birmingham
©Cadbury Research Library Special Collections University of Birmingham

The Project

Highbury’s gardens are being carefully restored by the Chamberlain Highbury Trust, breathing new life into this historic estate for the people of Birmingham to enjoy for generations to come.

At the heart of the project are the 33 acres of Highbury Park, originally designed in Victorian splendour by landscape designer Edward Milner for Joseph Chamberlain notable politician and industrialist. Over time, many of its distinctive features have declined. This is the second wave of gardens restoration following a successful access and restoration programme in 2020/21.

The project will deliver a three-year programme of conservation, landscaping, and ecological improvements, alongside a ten-year plan to protect the park’s long-term health and accessibility.

A Park at Risk

Highbury Park has been on the Heritage at Risk Register since 2018. Created in 1932 it is a large and varied park covering 100 acres, made up of four different areas of land, each with its own character. Since 2016, the Chamberlain Highbury Trust has been working with local partners based in the park to look after the whole site and plan for its future.

The Trust has now received £2 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for the Gardens Project to restore and adapt the Chamberlain Highbury Estate, which makes up about one third of the park. This area includes historic gardens, pools and special plant collections.

The Trust has been working with a professional project team to develop the plans and planting schemes and interpretation designs have now been finalised. Environmental consultants were appointed and have now completed the ecological survey work required as part of the approval process for the restoration.

What is Happening Right Now?

Our volunteers are already working in the park on a regular basis. They are helping to prepare the site so that contractors can begin work.

Current volunteer activities include:

Lowering the height of the beech hedge in the Italian Garden: this will allow better views into the garden and give a more defined and historically accurate look to the garden.
Clearing invasive bramble and laurel to improve views, safety and allow other plants to thrive.
Restorative pruning in the Rhododendron garden: following successful layering and regeneration, the older plants have been cut hard back to allow new, less woody, growth to come through, this will look dramatically different for some time but will be stunning in 2 years time.
Investigative works on built heritage features, like the dairy floor, crucible wall and balustrade in the Italian Garden to ensure as much of the historic fabric as possible is saved.
Learning hedge laying and implementing different hedge and fence techniques across the estate.

Find Out More

Project Overview Display

What to Expect During the Highbury Gardens Restoration

What Changes Will be Made?

Our aim is to restore, refresh and care for Highbury’s historic landscape in a way that can be sustained in the long term. The project will make sure Highbury’s 33-acre Grade II listed gardens are no longer classed as ‘at risk’ and can be actively cared for by the local community.

Work will include:

Repairing important historic areas such as the Italian Garden and Rhododendron Garden
Fixing urgent drainage and water management problems
Removing invasive plants and restoring historic planting and views
Improving wildlife habitats and biodiversity in line with Highbury’s protected status

Alongside this physical work, we will train and support volunteers. They will learn how to manage the landscape using rechargeable electric tools and sustainable methods such as composting and recycling green waste on site.

This will reduce environmental impact, save money, and make sure the improvements last well into the future.

What Will We Achieve?

By the end of the Gardens Project:

Highbury’s historic landscape will be in a much stronger and more stable condition
Key heritage features will be repaired and secured
Historic views and pathways will be clearer, helping visitors understand the park’s original design
Drainage and water systems will be improved, supporting wildlife and helping the park adapt to climate change
Biodiversity will increase through better habitats, and invasive species under control
A skilled and confident group of volunteers will be in place to care for the park long term
More people will understand, value and take pride in Highbury’s heritage

Be Part of the Journey

This project is about more than repairing gardens and structures. It is also about people.

Alongside the restoration work, there will be a programme of training, activities and events designed with and for the local community.

The funding will allow the Trust to restore important features such as the Italian Garden, Sunken Rock Garden, Rhododendron Pond and Lookout, and the Crucible Wall, while also creating opportunities for people to get involved, learn new skills and shape the future of Highbury.

The project has always been about more than bricks, trees and plants. It is about continuing to work with the diverse communities of Birmingham to care for this special place together.

Our Thanks

The Gardens Project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, Chamberlain Highbury Trust has been able to begin work to restore the grounds of Highbury Hall to their original splendour.

The project would not have been possible without the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, our other funders and partners. To see who has supported the project click here.

Highbury Gardens Project