Aston sport and leisure

Around the turn of the century, two important buildings in the history of the area were built - the Aston Hippodrome (demolished in 1980), and the Barton's Arms public house. Both were built by the same firm of architects, James and Lister Lea.

Perhaps Aston is most famous as the home of Aston Villa, one of the great football clubs. In 1897 the club took over the site of Aston Lower Grounds, which had been a place of entertainment since it was opened in 1873.

Aston Villa still occupies the same site, although all the old buildings, which included a theatre, aquarium, menagerie and restaurants, have now disappeared. Aston also had the well known Aston Unity Cricket Club, which is still in existence.