Manor Farm Park is a stunning location to relax or exercise, enjoy the great outdoors, take in some nature and soak up a bit of fabulous British history and heritage associated with Northfield and the world famous Cadbury family.

Manor Farm Park was once the grounds of Northfield Manor House, the family home of George and Elizabeth Cadbury. 

The park opened to the public in 1951 and there is now a 2 kilometre walking route through the park to enjoy.  See route HERE. 

The lake at Manor Farm Park (December 2019).  Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The park is located on the Bristol Road South in Northfield. There are also entrances to the park from Whitehill Lane, Bell Hill and Manor Farm Drive.

There is a Play Area near the main entrance of the park.

Play Area at Manor Farm Park (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Merritt's Brook flows through the park and is part of the Merritt's Brook Greenway.

 

History of Manor Farm Park

It was once the estate of George and Elizabeth Cadbury who lived at the Manor House from 1890, until George's death in 1922, and Dame Elizabeth's death in 1951. A house was recorded of being on the site circa 1750. A London merchant called Daniel Ledsam bought the estate in 1809 and made alterations to the manor house. The house was used during WW2 as a Training Centre for the Friends' Ambulance Unit.  After Dame Elizabeth died, the University of Birmingham took it over, and was converted into a hall of residence by H W Hobbiss.  It was built in the Mock Tudor style. It was Grade A listed, but English Heritage decided against listing it. There was a fire at the house in 2014, and it was partially demolished in 2015. A housing estate was built to the north and north east corners of the park.

The park itself was opened to the public in 1951. A wooden picnic barn was built in 1894 (as a gift from the Cadbury's) for school children to enjoy tea and refreshments and a day in the countryside. About a century later it got quite derelict, and there was hopes from the local community to restore it. But it was sadly burnt down by arsonists in 2017 and was later demolished.

The wooden barn at Manor Farm Park (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is also farm buildings at the main entrance from the Bristol Road South (sometimes also called White Hill here). They have been unused for a long time, but it is hoped to one day restore them and open them as a cafe and community centre of some kind.

Farm Buildings at Manor Farm Park (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter at Manor Farm Park

Trees shed their leaves in Manor Farm Park (December 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Spring at Manor Farm Park

The Merritt's Brook Greenway in Manor Farm Park (April 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Summer at Manor Farm Park

Lush green trees in the summer at Manor Farm Park (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Autumn at Manor Farm Park

The lake at Manor Farm Park (November 2018). Photography by Jay Mason-Burns