Selly Manor Museum

Over its 500-year history this building has had several names as well as two locations. The earliest records for the house date from 1476. At that time it was called Smythes Tenement and was on land belonging to William Jenette, lord of the sub-manor of Selly. William Jenette leased Smythes Tenement to a local farmer, John Othe’field (John of the field). In 1561, attorney and bailiff John Setterford, his wife Phylis, and her son William Pritchett leased the house. This family is significant as they prospered and bought the house. Phylis Setterford outlived her husband, and when she died in 1608, an inventory of the contents was made, which details the layout of the building as well as every…

The museum contains the Laurence Cadbury Collection, a unique collection of furniture and domestic objects intended to give the feel of a house from the 17th century. Laurence Cadbury was George Cadbury's fourth son, and the collection at Selly Manor is a testament to his interest in collecting fascinating items. Laurence began collecting objects whilst studying at Cambridge in about 1908 and continued well into the mid-1930s. Much of his collection was displayed at his house, The Davids in Northfield, Birmingham, but Selly Manor was a perfect home for the 16th and 17th century furniture and domestic objects he loved so much. From sturdy oak chests and intricate carvings to a beautiful…