SP0485 : Teulon Cottage, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
taken 2 years ago, near to Chad Valley, Birmingham, England
The 15 acre garden was designed by J C Loudon and opened in 1832 on land leased from Lord Calthorpe's estate. The gardens remain essentially unaltered retaining the characteristics of a Victorian park complete with bandstand. Today there are four glasshouses, a large lawn and some 7,000 different plants. There is also a small collection of exotic birds.
The Calthorpe Estate covers 1500 acres to the south of Birmingham City Centre. It is characterised by quiet leafy streets, substantial 19th century Victorian villas and some more modern housing, and, unlike other parts of inner-city Birmingham, a complete lack of industry. With 25% of the estate being open space, it is considered a very desirable area in which to live; half of the total area is part of the Edgbaston Conservation Area – believed to be the largest in the country. The estate owes this status to the first Lord Calthorpe, owner of Edgbaston Hall, who had a clause inserted into the Act of Parliament authorising the construction of the Worcester Canal prohibiting industrial development. Ownership of the estate still remains with the Calthorpe family.