Over the past year we’ve been gathering memories of Winterbourne house and garden and searching for stories of the Nettlefold family and their contribution to public life.

Listen to the stories of Winterbourne and look at the photographs and letters of the Nettlefolds through the links below. Or visit the house and discover the interactive exhibition about Winterbourne’s history.

Family connections

The Nettlefolds were part of a network of well known Birmingham Unitarian families who lived in the Edgbaston area, including the Chamberlain, Beale and Kenrick families. Their lives were intertwined through family, business, civic duties and religious connections. Winterbourne was a place for gatherings, and Christmases and holidays were spent in the company of family and friends.

Ann Kenrick on the Birmingham Unitarian families 
The Nettlefolds' grandson Mike Holmes talks about family holidays in North Devon 

‘A day in the life’ of the Nettlefold children

A collection of letters, diaries, plays and photographs of the Nettlefolds gives an invaluable insight into their Edwardian family life.

The Nettlefold children were strongly encouraged in reading and letter writing and the house was said to be ‘full of books’. They performed a play written by Margaret Nettlefold every year for the family in Winterbourne’s Billiard room. As well as the beautiful gardens for the children to enjoy, the family had pigs, hens, cows and Evelyn Nettlefold can be seen pictured here with her pony ‘Tom Tit’.

From tiny screws great empires grow!

Nettlefolds Ltd. began in 1823 as a small ironmongers and screw-makers. The company merged with Guest, Keen and Co. in 1902. GKN (Guest, Keen and Nettlefold) became the world’s largest metal manufacturing business and was a huge local employer. John Sutton Nettlefold was also Managing Director of another Birmingham metal manufacturer, Kynochs Ltd.

Geoff Grainger on his first day at GKN Heath Street 

A housing legacy

As well as his involvement in local industry, John Sutton Nettlefold was a pioneer of town planning and social reform. By his death in 1930 he had made a lasting impact on civic life. He opened up city back to back housing to light and air by demolishing corner buildings. His lasting legacy, however, was the Harborne Tenants Estate or ‘The Moorpool Estate’ in Harborne. Established in 1907 this garden suburb estate was inspired by the Cadbury’s Bournville.

Horace Brinkworth back to back living 
Richard Carter on his grandfather John Sutton Nettlefold’s work on Birmingham’s housing 

Gardening tales

There were plenty of indoor and outdoor staff to help the families, look after guests and keep both house and gardens in order. In 1944 Winterbourne was bequeathed to Birmingham University by John Nicolson with the desire that ‘it be maintained in something like its present form’.