The Great Stone Inn has stood on this site for centuries and it is named for a huge boulder that used to stand on the corner. This boulder
is a glacial erratic, and was dropped by the ice as it retreated in the last
ice age! The stone is now housed in
the 17th Century pound,
which is adjacent to the pub – this sandstone enclosure was where stray animals
were kept until their owners paid a fee to get them back.
.jpg "Great Stone Inn, Northfield 1953") |
| © Phyllis Nicklin 1953 |
This photo (along with two others of the Great Stone) was taken in 1953 by Phyllis Nicklin. She took many pictures of Birmingham through the 1950's and 1960's which can be found as part of University of Birmingham's Chrysalis Project. This is a fascinating archive for those of us who love old pictures of places we know. My only regret is that Phyllis Nicklin wasn't as obsessed with pubs as I am!
So, from a time before I was born, how does the pub look now?
Not very different as you can see apart from the slight name change. This picture was taken in the afternoon of Friday 15th August 2014. The boulder is behind the gate by the red car.
It is many years since I visited The Great Stone for a drink, probably when I was a student. In those days it was an M&B pub, but I see now that it is part of the Stonegate Pub Company.
