Aston Hall - Long Gallery

Aston Hall is a wonderful Jacobean house, a couple of miles from the centre of Birmingham. It was built at the beginning of the 17th Century, and in those days, Aston was totally rural. The Hall stands high up, over what was farmland but is today, completely industrialised.

In Victorian times, the Hall became a museum, part of an Arts foundation that predates our National Trust by about 30 years. Times have changed.

Aston is one of the more socially deprived areas of Birmingham. For many years the Hall was in a desperate state, suffering from neglect and some vandalism. Then along came special grants, part of the National Lottery, and Aston Hall was rescued.

The gardens have also been restored and the empty shell has been furnished, not with the original items that belonged to the Holte family, but with purchased, authentic antique items of the correct period.

I had a fabulous morning there (in spite of the rain which rather restricted our exploration of the gardens). Pre-season, guided tours from young and very enthusiastic guides and curators who are passionate about what they have saved and are now sharing.

The photo is of the Long Gallery - one of the highlights, and the perfect place to take exercise when it is raining.