Curling on Wyndley lake

Curling on Wyndley Lake, Birmingham (1895): Sport and Society on Ice

This rare and wonderfully composed photograph from 1895 captures a spirited game of curling on the frozen surface of Wyndley Lake, located in what is now Sutton Park, Birmingham. The players—dressed in heavy overcoats, bowler hats, and even top hats—strike a striking figure as they gather with their brooms and granite stones.

A mix of gentlemen and younger participants, their serious expressions belie the convivial and competitive nature of this traditional Scottish winter sport, which had spread south into England by the late 19th century. The frozen lake, rudimentary brooms, and outdoor setting evoke a time when sport was shaped by weather, community, and seasonal rhythm.

Moments like these remind us that behind every old photo lies a shared joy: of games played, friendships formed, and history frozen—quite literally—in time.

📍 Wyndley Lake, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, United Kingdom
🗓️ Year: 1895
🔍 Suggested tags: Curling history, Wyndley Lake, Victorian sports, winter games, 1890s Britain, Birmingham history, outdoor leisure, historical curling photograph

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