Credit: Winterbourne House and Garden
When John Sutton Nettlefold—a pioneer of early housing reform in Birmingham—and his wife Margaret were looking to build a new home, they wanted somewhere that reflected their modern world view. So, they tapped into the Arts and Crafts movement that had grown out of the work of William Morris and many other creatives from the Birmingham Set.
Credit: Winterbourne House and Garden
Over a century later, Winterbourne House remains one of the country’s greatest examples of this English aesthetic movement. Inside, you will find a home bursting with colourful, handcrafted textiles, ornaments and wallpapers—from William Morris prints to Edwardian era furnishings. It’s a one-of-a-kind museum for this unique art style.
Far from a family home anymore, today it’s part of the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston. Winterbourne House has been transformed by interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, a gallery, and a gift shop. Several on-site 19th-century printing presses are now used for workshops and demonstrations.
What about the gardens?
Credit: Winterbourne House & Garden
For many, the true hidden gem of Winterbourne House is the ‘secret garden’. The seven-acre botanical gardens, designed by Margaret Nettlefold herself, are home to over 6,000 different rare and exotic plant species. Made on meandering lines, you can discover Rhododendron displays, a Japanese bridge and carnivorous glasshouses in this green space.
It’s the perfect place for a picnic, but Winterbourne House and Garden isn’t just for relaxing—it’s a hive of activity! You can discover everything from stained glass workshops and beekeeping courses to Shakespearean performances and modern art exhibitions happening onsite all year round.
Why is it among the world’s best attractions?
Credit: Winterbourne House and Garden
Winterbourne House and Garden has recently been awarded a Travellers’ Choice Award by TripAdvisor for 2025 (July 29). What that means is it’s had so many positive reviews, it’s now “in the top 10% of things to do in the world.” Built in 1903, it’s an incredible feat to be going strong so many years later—it’s also featured on BBC Gardeners’ World Live and Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club recently.
Tessa Lovell, Visitor Operations Manager, said: “It’s fabulous to hear we’ve been awarded a Travellers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor again, this year. The whole team work really hard to ensure everyone has a great visit to Winterbourne, and this kind of recognition from our visitors makes it all worthwhile.”
To get your admission ticket to Winterbourne House and Garden, head here.