The evolution of Bromwich Hall from 13th century manor to museum

Bromwich Hall, located on Hall Green Road in West Bromwich, is a Grade I listed medieval domestic building built by Richard de Marnham around 1270. The Great Hall, the oldest surviving part of the original complex, features two full bays and a short entry bay marked by a spere truss at the south end. It is presumed that the building originally extended further at each end to provide service and private rooms, but these sections were removed in the early 15th century when the present cross wings were built.

In the late 15th century, a chapel, first referred to in 1552, was added at the east end of the north cross wing. During the 16th century, the west wall of the hall was rebuilt when an oriel was added at its north end, and a detached kitchen block was built to the south-west of the service wing. Around 1600, a two-storeyed gatehouse range was built to the east of the hall, and the service wing was extended to join it. While much of the original complex of living quarters, barns, and ponds has vanished, the manor house remains as a significant historical site.

The building underwent various changes through the 18th century and was saved from demolition in the 1950s by West Bromwich Corporation, which carried out an extensive restoration. Since May 2010, the building has been open to the public as Bromwich Hall - The Manor House Museum. Since 2020, archaeological excavations have been conducted in the private area behind the large table at the far end of the great hall and in the former pub manager’s house in the museum grounds.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons