Great Barr Hall, English country house and mental hospital in Walsall, England
Great Barr Hall is a two-story nine-bay country house built in 1777, displaying Gothic Revival style with ornate details and extended wings across the main structure. The surrounding grounds spread across around 105 hectares and feature two lakes, woodland, and walking paths that visitors can explore.
The property was built in 1777 and remained under ownership by the Scott family for over a century until its sale in 1911. Following the purchase by a hospital board, it was converted into St Margaret's Mental Hospital and operated in that capacity for many years.
During the late 18th century, the hall served as a meeting place for the Lunar Society, gathering influential intellectuals and industrialists of the era.
The estate can be accessed via multiple entry points along Chapel Lane, allowing visitors to navigate the grounds and pathways at their own pace. Walking conditions are generally best during drier periods when the terrain is easier to traverse.
The estate contains an Upper and Lower Lake connected by a cascade with stepping stones, originally fed by the Holbrook stream system in an earlier period. This water feature was carefully designed into the landscape, demonstrating the gardening artistry of the era.
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