Waggon and Horses Inn Holyhead Road Handsworth

[Vivienne14]

Two views of the inn at different times. There are a lot of features that match up, but the building must have been changed after the first building. Both paintings are clearly labelled as the Waggon and Horses, Handsworth. The first is a watercolour by John Lawrence Hart in 1877, the second is by W. Green (only 19th century given as a date). I’m guessing that the second one is the later, improved building, as the frontage has changed. Viv.

 

[RobT]

Viv, Looks like you may have only got half of both paintings
Painted by W. Green who was active 1829-1850, painting from Birmingham Museum Trust

 

[RobT]

Now this Waggon and Horses Soho Road was built in 1700 and demolished in 1870
Handsworth Council House and Public Library were erected on the site in 1877.

 

[RobT]

Watercolour sketch by J. Laurence Hart, dated 1877, of an original painting in oils of the Waggon and Horses Inn, Soho Road, Handsworth. The inn was demolished in 1877 and Handsworth Council House built on the site. Hart (1850 - 1907) was a poet as well as an artist. He painted mainly landscapes and rural scenes in an impressionist style. At least 90 of his works were exhibited during his lifetime, and he was a regular contributor to the RBSA. This painting is typical of his work and style.

 

[RobT]

By 1794 this small roadside inn was owned and run by John Ottley and consisted of a public house, slaughterhouse and stables covering just over half an acre of land.

 

[RobT]

This one painted by Paul Braddon (undated)

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Rob. That makes more sense as the Waggon and Horses had an assembly room in 1827. I just couldn’t see how from the paintings in post #1. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

And it had a bowling green, as written on the wall plaque in some of the images. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Paul Braddon also painted the interior. This is his take on the taproom. An impressive, tall fireplace and lots of beer jugs. I notice the door to the taproom is very tall too. This must have been the room to the right of the entrance (shown in Braddon’s painting in post #6) as you entered the Inn.

Not painted at the time depicted, but all the same a useful visual. Presumably he used an early drawing (1700s?) on which to base this painting. Viv