An arial view of the three lakes making up Earlswood Lakes

Earlswood Lakes are three attractive large manmade reservoirs now called Engine Pool, Windmill Pool and Terry's Pool.
Created in the early 1820's costing £297,000, they provide a source of water for the Stratford Upon Avon Canal and took five years to construct (the labour is reputed to have come from Napoleonic prisoners of war).
In the early 1900's the Lakes became a popular attraction for visitors from Birmingham and its industrial suburbs, being referred to as 'the Scarborough of the Midlands'.
The earliest documented reference to Earlswood is as far back as when King Richard III (1483-1485) granted William Catesby 100 oaks, to be taken from the King's Old Park at Tanworth and Earlswood.

The last water bailiff of Earlswood Lakes was Bill Dolphin from 1958-1974, Bill lived literally on the lakes in the victorian boathouse which was destroyed by fire in 1978.

The Craft Centre

Earlswood Lakes Craft Centre was established in 1981 as Manor Farm Craft Centre and was then owned by Terry and Val Osborne. Terry Osborne has been kind enough to write a brief history of Manor Farm and how the Craft Centre came into being.

"Farmed from 1880's until 2001 by the Osborne family. Originally a mixed farm, supplying milk locally, raising pigs and poultry.

Mr Tom Osborne (grandfather of the present family), had a fine reputation for "breaking" and training horsesduring the 1920's - 1940's, which was an additional source of income for the farm.
During the latter part of the century under Tom's son Gordon and grandson Terry, milk production was the main enterprise, this being sold in bulk to the marketing board.
When financial returns suffered around 20 years ago, it was decided that the business had to diversify to survive. Thus the mid 80's - 90's saw the establishment of a range of craft units for embryonic businesses. These were built by converting the old traditional Warwickshire farm buildings that had been made redundant by modern farming practices. With a large urban population within 30 minutes drive, the potential for a visitor based enterprise was good.
Manor Farm Craft Centre ( now Earlswood Lakes Craft Centre) was opened officially in June 1989 by Solihull Council Officer, Robert Meacham.
In 1998-9, a horse livery enterprise was built, so taking the farm "full circle", from the early 20th century and grandfather Osborne's horse dealing, to the 21st century equestrian enterprise!

Sadly the current members of the Osborne family were forced to sell the whole business in 2001, owing to ill health of the grandson Terry.
However the new owners have demonstrated that they will take it forward to new horizons, building on a sound core business and attracting even more visitors to this lovely part of Warwickshire."