King's Head Clock, Bearwood - A Sandwell Gem!

The King's Head Clock is back in Bearwood, Sandwell, near the Hagley Road West since 2015. It was on High Street, Birmingham from 1979 to 2015, before it moved back to Bearwood.


Where is The King's Head Clock now?

The King's Head Clock is near Adkins Lane, Bearwood, Smethwick, B66 4BW. Between Hagley Road West and near Bearwood Road. Between Hagley Road West and near Bearwood Road.

 

Former locations

From April 1979 to June 2015 the King's Head Clock was located at 66 High Street, Birmingham, B4 7JZ. Near the Union Street junction. A regular site for around 36 years.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock on the High Street (August 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

From 1905 until before the 1971 road widening, it was outside of The King's Head, 382 Hagley Road, Harborne, Birmingham, B17 8BJ. The pub is on the corner of Lordswood Road. The clock was missing from the Harborne and Bearwood area for around 44 years.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock at the original location on the Hagley Road outside The King's Head pub, early 20th century. Courtesy Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

 

In brief

The clock originally stood outside of The King's Head pub on the Hagley Road from 1905 until 1971, when it was removed for road widening. It was later renovated and installed on the High Street in Birmingham City Centre in 1979, where it remained until 2015, when Birmingham City Council gifted it to Sandwell Metropolitan Council, who restored it, and later in 2015 installed it at a site close to the Bearwood Bus Interchange in view of The King's Head pub.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock, Bearwood (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The King's Head Clock - History

The clock stood outside of The King's Head Public House, Hagley Road from around 1905 until it was removed for road widening in 1971.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock at the original location on the Hagley Road outside The King's Head pub, early 20th century. Courtesy Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

 

It was one of Birmingham's prized 'Chamberlain clocks' installed outside of the Kings Head coaching station in 1905.

It was renovated and fitted with a new electric clock mechanism and erected at the junction of High Street and Union Street in Birmingham on the 1st April 1979.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock on the High Street (August 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The maker of the original clockwork drive unit was Arthur Walker (1871 - 1948) who carried out his trade as a clockmaker from 1900 at 31A Vere Street (now demolished).

His gear cutting machine and other accessories were moved to the Birmingham Museum of Science and Industry, Newhall Street (until 1997). They are now at Thinktank: Birmingham Science Museum at Millennium Point (since 2001).

The cast iron components which include the column, turret and crown were made by J an A Law Ironfounders, Glasgow.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock on the High Street (August 2009). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The column also served as a horse trough, dog drinking bowl (at ground level) and a supply of water for public use.

The clock was originally gas lit and hand wound (it had to be done once a week).

There it remained until June 2015.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock, Bearwood (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

When Birmingham City Council generously offered the clock to Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council to enable it to return to Bearwood.

It was re-erected in October 2015, close to the Bearwood Bus Interchange at Hagley Road West, Adkins Lane and Bearwood Road in sight of The King's Head pub.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock, Bearwood (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was restored by Smith of Derby in 2015, who rebuilt the clock, and installed dials to control daylight saving time.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock, Bearwood (January 2016). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The clock is in full working order, as of 2024.

King's Head ClockThe King's Head Clock, Bearwood (January 2024). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

In the summer of 2017, there was a trail of painted bears on The Big Sleuth all over Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull.

At Bearwood near the Bearwood Clock Tower was Bussy Bear. Designed by Blake Cotterill. Painted by: National Express West Midlands team at Walsall paint shop. Sponsor: National Express West Midlands.

The Big SleuthBussy Bear from The Big Sleuth near The King's Head Clock, Bearwood (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Nearby bus routes

From National Express West Midlands including the 9, 11A, 11C, 48, 48A, 49, 82, 126, X8 and X10.

Project dates

20 Jan 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Civic pride, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com