The Bartons Arms - A Birmingham Gem!

The Bartons Arms in Aston, Birmingham is one of the finest examples of Victorian pub architecture and has one of the most beautiful pub interiors in the country. Closed down in 2024.


Where is the Barton Arms?

The Bartons Arms is at 144 High Street, Aston (Newtown), Birmingham, B6 4UP.

 

In brief

The pub was built during 1900 to 1901 to the designs of noted pub architects James and Lister Lea for Mitchells & Butlers at a cost of some £12,000 on the site of a former pub purchased for £10,000.

The Bartons Arms is famed for its long association with the Aston Hippodrome, once the Midland’s premier variety theatre located behind the pub. Shut for good at the end of January 2024.

The Bartons ArmsThe Bartons Arms on the Aston Newtown High Street. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Bartons Arms - history

The Bartons Arms was built during 1900 to 1901 to the designs of James and Lister Lea for Mitchells & Butlers. It is a three storey building on a prominent corner site. It was built in the Restrained Jacobean style with Dutch gables and the ground floor was built of Ashlar.

The interior of The Bartons Arms is the best example of the period in Birmingham, complete with Public Bar, Saloon-Smoke Rooms, Club Room, Committee Room and Billiard Hall on 2 floors. It is lavishly decorated in polychrome Minton tile work, with cut and silvered mirrored glass, and panelled woodwork.

The pub was bought in 2002 by Oakham Ales who restored the building to it's former greatness.

It was sadly announced that The Bartons Arms is closing down with immediate effect at the end of January 2024.

 

Exterior of The Bartons Arms

The following gallery showcases the stunning exterior of The Barton Arms.

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons Arms

The Bartons ArmsThe Bartons Arms on the Aston Newtown High Street. Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Interior of The Bartons Arms

The following images showcases the wonderful interior of the Bartons Arms. 

Bartons Arms

Bartons Arms

Bartons Arms

Bartons ArmsInterior of The Bartons Arms. Photography by Kevin Hussey

 

Notable visitors

Laurel and Hardy stayed at The Bartons Arms in May 1954, while they were appearing at the nearby Aston Hippodrome (built 1908, demolished 1980, replaced by The Drum Arts Centre, opened 1990s, permanently closed in 2016, replaced by the Legacy Centre of Excellence in 2019).

Documents show that the entertainers Marie Lloyd, Enrico Caruso and Charlie Chaplin were also said to have visited The Bartons Arms while performing at the Aston Hippodrome.

The musician Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath who grew up in Aston was a former patron of the pub.

 

Contact details

The Bartons Arms

144 High Street
Aston
Birmingham
B6 4UP

0121 333 5988

manager@thebartonsarms.com

 

Project dates

04 Sep 2021 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Food & drink, Classic Architecture

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com