Today’s character of Knowle High Street is shaped by its rich history dating back centuries. The High Street (a conservation area) has many listed and notable buildings, some of which date as far back as the 15th century. There are so many stories behind our buildings – we’re sharing just a few of them in our ‘Walk Through Time’.
Begin the walk at Knowle Parish Church to start the trail. You’ll then walk up to Milverton House, back to the Guild House (next to the church) and all the way down the High Street to the Wilsons Arms. Then you’ll cross the High Street to explore the buildings on the other side as you walk back up towards the church. Take care crossing Wilsons Road, Kenilworth Road and Hampton Road. There are three zebra crossings on the High Street and one zebra crossing on Hampton Road.
Knowle Church
Walter Cook, founder of the church obtained permission from the Pope in 1396 to found a church in Knowle on land owned by his family. Consecrated in 1403, it had a bell-cote, a font and a graveyard. The Northern, sandstone face is the oldest part of the church. The church is dedicated to Saints John the Baptist, Lawrence and Anne.
The Berrow Cottage Homes Trust was founded by Miss Sarah Letticia Berrow in memory of her parents. Four almshouses were built in 1886 on land that was once the village bowling green for people in ‘reduced circumstances’. You can read the rather strict ‘inmate rules’ they had to abide by on our website. A plaque can be seen on the gable.
Milverton House was built around 1560 and stands on the site of a much earlier house. It has served as a farmhouse, private residence, and as an estate agent and auctioneers. During the 19th century, its timber framing was concealed beneath plaster, remaining hidden until restoration efforts in the 1970s once again revealed the 16th century timbering.
In 1413 the King granted Walter Cook a license to found a guild. The Guild House built around 1413, was home to the Guild of St Anne, a religious fraternity providing support to those in need. After the Reformation, the building became dwellings and from 1873 until 1911, various shops. After being restored, it was given back to the church in 1912.
Built around 1700, this stucco-fronted timbered framed house, with stables and garden, was first a private home but has been a bakery since it was bought by a miller, Thomas Chamberlain. In 1906, George Curtis first rented, then bought the property and it remained in the family for almost a century. It was sold in 2004 and remains a bakery.
The building is named Kingscote after the King family who lived there and who later ran the post office from the late 19th century when the post office was transferred from the Guild House. Since then, the building has served as a bakery, run by Mr Statham, and (once split into three premises) a home to numerous shops and businesses.
Chester House is the oldest existing High Street building. Originally two separate properties, the south wing dates from the 1400s and the north wing from the 1500s. It has been a farmhouse, carrier business and antiques shop. Solihull Council bought in the 1960’s, restored it, and opened it as a library in 1975.
The Mermaid Inn was an important 18th century coaching inn. The inn was renamed after Henry Greswolde Lewis, of Malvern Hall and joint Lord of the Manor. Two distinctive wings were added to either side of the original inn, the left in 1750 and the right in 1825. The Lido was behind the Greswolde Arms from 1936 to 1966.
The Wilson Arms, now refaced and extended, is a very old oak framed building built in the early 1600s. It was originally called The Rising Sun but was renamed in 1839 after the ‘local squire’ of Knowle Hall. In the 1920s the outbuildings housed the first Garage in Knowle, but was incorporated into the main building during a 1990 extension.
On a former Blacksmith yard, a cottage was extended to create Knowle Men’s Institute, the vision of Mr Everitt of Knowle Hall and the Rev. Cannon Howe who recognised the impact that Institutes were having on working men in other areas. From 1886, the Institute provided a reading room, assembly room and space for sports.
The timbered framed Red Lion was built in the early 17th century. A popular local hostelry across the centuries, the Red Lion flourished during the growth of coach travel and the inn, yard and fields were home for meetings, outings to the races, and annual celebrations, parades and fair. The yard was also the early home of the fire brigade.
These former 16th/17th century cottages became two shops, (a sweet and cake shop plus greengrocery). The building has served as a wool and card shop twice. In the 1970’s Edna McGregor combined the shops back into one shop. The narrow passageway named Thimble Lane, leads to the wash house. Today, it is home to a cafe.
This Heritage is dedicated to the memory of Mary Riley whose legacy made this possible.
Mary Riley was a local resident who had a great love for history and her local area. These personal interests can be seen in the generous bequest left in her will to the Knowle Society. She had a keen interest in Local History and was involved in The Knowle Society, Solihull Archaeological Group and Solihull Society of Arts and Local History Circle.
Mary is fondly remembered by The Knowle Society Trustees and members for her involvement, her bequest and her book collection.
Want to know more about Knowle’s heritage?
More Heritage Trails
This is the fourth trail in our collection. Other trails explore other areas of Knowle, including one taking you to the nearby Grand Union canal.
Knowle Society formed in 1962. The Society’s local history team has been guardians of artefacts, photos and stories of Knowle’s buildings, village life and people since 1977.
We keep our archives upstairs in Knowle library, and create different exhibitions throughout the year. You’ll also find us at community events, especially during September’s heritage weekend.
We have received many kind donations of images, artefacts and memories since we formed and we welcome and appreciate additions to our collections.
Get Involved
If you’ve been inspired by the stories behind this trail, and if you’d like to get involved with the local history team of Knowle Society, we would love to hear from you. Simply contact us at history@knowlesociety.org.uk
Or come along to one of our events to meet our volunteers.
The Knowle Society
This trail is designed by The Knowle Society, a charity founded in 1962 that is dedicated to preserving and enhancing local heritage, open spaces, facilities, and community life for past, present, and future generations.
The small print
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information presented on this heritage trail, details may be subject to change or interpretation. To the best of our knowledge, all content is correct at the time of publication. We accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions, or changes that may have occurred since.
