Haden Hill House Museum

About the museum

Haden Hill House is a late-Victorian gentleman's residence in Cradley Heath, in Sandwell, surrounded by about 55 acres of landscaped parkland. The Haden family were wealthy landowners and mill owners in the 1600s, and their wealth allowed them to build Haden Old Hall in the late 17th century.

George Alfred Haden Best inherited the estate in 1877 and soon began work on a new house. He did not want to live in the run-down Old Hall next door, where his aunt was living, and probably meant to demolish it and enlarge his new house, but this never happened. Both houses have had a troubled past and have survived against the odds.

Today the house is run by Sandwell Museums and is furnished in period style with many original features. It also holds the museum's Ruskin Pottery collection. The Old Hall is opened on selected days, including for cellar tours during Heritage Open Days, and the house hosts a programme of events, school sessions and wedding ceremonies.

Highlights

• Late-Victorian house furnished in period style
• 17th-century Haden Old Hall, open on selected days
• Ruskin Pottery collection
• 55 acres of landscaped parkland
• Oak Room used for wedding ceremonies

Permanent exhibitions

• Haden Hill House – A late-Victorian gentleman's residence furnished in period style, with many original features.
• Haden Old Hall – A 17th-century hall next to the house, opened on selected days, with tours of its cellars at Heritage Open Days.

Operated by

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (Sandwell Museums)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Entry to the house is free; some events and activities carry a small charge (for example, entrance to the Old Hall on certain event days).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The accessible entrance is at the rear of the house, and there is a lift to the first floor and accessible parking behind the house. Only assistance dogs are allowed inside the museum (dogs are welcome in the park). The cellars of Haden Old Hall are not suitable for visitors with mobility difficulties.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities

The museum runs events and activities for all ages through the year. Pushchairs cannot be taken into the museum or the Old Hall and should be left outside to the left of the front door. Baby changing facilities are available.

Getting there & parking

The site is entered from Barrs Road via Lee Road.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

A drinks machine serves filter coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and the shop sells cold drinks and basic snacks. A tearoom opens on larger event days. There is a picnic site in the park.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 40 guests.

Wedding ceremonies are held in the ground-floor Oak Room, licensed for 40 people including the couple and officials, and the rest of the house and the parkland can be used for photographs. Enquiries by phone on Wednesdays to Fridays or by email.

Plan your visit