© John Angerson Birmingham - Black Horse Road House Pub, Bristol Rd S, Northfield - England's obsession with the motorcar has transformed the landscap
© John Angerson Birmingham - Black Horse road house pub, Bristol Rd S, Northfield - England's obsession with the motorcar has transformed the landscape of our towns and cities forever. In 1969 changes were being made to the city to create what has been described as a “motopolis”. Without doubt one of the greatest and most magnificent pubs created between the wars, this enormous ‘Brewers’ Tudor’ roadhouse dates from a rebuilding in 1929 for Birmingham brewers Davenports by Francis Goldsbrough of architects Bateman & Bateman. The extravagantly half-timbered exterior has gables, carved woodwork, leaded glass and barley-sugar chimneys. Inside, the ground floor has experienced much change, especially at the front, including some refitting in its latest incarnation as a pub in the Wetherspoon chain, which took over in 2010 after a period of closure (the bar fittings are of this time). The most notable spaces on the ground floor are the former gents’ smoke room (rear right) and the dining and assembly room (rear left): the first is a romantic evocation of a baronial hall with a sturdy tie-beam roof (the servery is modern), while the latter has a series of low ceilings punctuated by tall two-light windows. Among the details to enjoy on the ground floor are three grand and very different fireplaces in the ground-floor spaces. The first floor is less changed and definitely worth a visit. The first space is a barrel-vaulted lobby area which leads to a huge function room (with three-sided ceiling) and beyond this is a conference room with a fine circular plaster ceiling. The former verandah, overlooking the well-manicured bowling green, is now glazed in as a seating area
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Photo credit: © john angerson / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: birmingham, black, bristol, horse, house, northfield, pub, road
