Notable Buildings

Village Stores

The 1797 Enclosure Act map shows the corner as a gravel pit. Sometime in the early 19th century, a coaching inn was built – the Coach & Horses. In 1860 it was changed to the Hanley Working Man’s Institute by Sir Edmund Lechmere.

The Institute was converted to a grocer’s shop, opening around 1867. John King became sub-postmaster in the mid-1890s. In 1912 Bertie Payne took over, then the Brown family in 1917.

Norman Brown remembers doing homework by paraffin lamp in the 1940s. Before the war, the present shop was a village hall. In 1940 the War Ministry commandeered it for the Hanley Home Guard platoon HQ.

Hanley Castle High School

The first documents referring to school lands are deeds of 1523 and 1544, but a plaque puts its foundation as early as 1326 as a chantry school. The oldest part still existing is the Sixth Form house of around 1600.

The Lechmere family maintained a close connection. In 1868 William Walker reformed the school, dividing it into grammar and elementary sections. In 1893 the elementary school moved to Cross Hands as St Mary’s Primary School.

In 1909 Worcestershire CC paid for new classrooms. In 1972 girls were admitted for the first time, boarding ceased, and in 1974 it became Hanley Castle High School (comprehensive).

The Three Kings

It is a popular misconception that The Three Kings was named after the three wise men. In fact, three Kings brothers owned the 16th-century timber-framed building in the late 17th century. Richard Kings sold it to Anthony Lechmere in 1710 for £4 15s. It has been owned by the Lechmere estate ever since.

The pub was briefly renamed the Hare & Hounds before the 1881 census. In 1911 Fred and Ethel Roberts took over. Today it is in the hands of the third generation – Sue Roberts.

Our Lady and St Alphonsus Catholic Church

In 1846 the Hornyold family funded building a Catholic church in Hanley Swan. Our Lady and St Alphonsus was paid for by John Vincent Gandolfi-Hornyold at a cost of £30,000 (£2m today). Designed in Gothic Revival style by Charles Hansom (whose brother designed the Hansom cab). Furnishings by A W Pugin.

The presbytery was originally a monastery for Redemptorists but they left in 1851. In 1944-45 there were 12 weddings between Americans from the military hospital in Blackmore Park and English or Irish girls.

Blackmore Park Mansion

The mansion at Blackmore Park had several incarnations. The original was built in the sixteenth century, replaced in 1867, burned down in 1880, restored in 1883 with 28 bedrooms, nursery wing, three bathrooms, sixteen WCs, billiards room and chapel. The estate was sold in 1919, destroyed by fire and demolished. The present Blackmore House was built in the 1930s.

The Swan Inn

The Swan has been a hostelry for hundreds of years, on the route of an old drovers’ road. The earliest evidence is from 1781 when Edmund Jones paid tax “for the Swan.”

Around 1850 the Tomlinson family began their long stewardship. In the early 20th century sold to Cheltenham Brewery, then through mergers to Whitbread. American servicemen at Blackmore Park called it the ‘Dirty Duck’.

In 1999 taken over by Punch Taverns, refurbished in 2004. Today it provides good meals and accommodation.

Ewe and Lamb Pub

The Walnuts housing estate used to be the site of the Ewe & Lamb pub. Established in the 1850s by James Jones. The Jones family ran it for 40 years. By 1901 it offered accommodation for cycling and picnic parties. In 1916 sold at auction to the Royal Well Brewery. In 1991 demolished to make way for the present housing estate.

St Gabriel’s Church

A mid-19th century church designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott, with stained glass window by Thomas Denny. Read more

St Mary’s Church

A 14th century church with 17th century tower, containing Roman bricks and Saxon stone. Read more

St Gabriel’s Hanley Swan Primary School

Built in 1862, also served as a Chapel of Ease until 1874. Read more

The Home of the Good Shepherd

Built for ‘waifs and strays’ in 1891, now the Highball Centre. Read more