[1] In 1527, Bishop John Vesey bought 40 acres (160,000 m2) of land for £1500 in Sutton Coldfield called Moor Crofts and Heath Yards close to the farm in which he had been born and raised.

At this time the property was said to comprise twenty rooms on three floors but was described in 1762 by an 'Impartial Hand' as: a very poor pile of building, without prospect or indeed any one beauty to recommend it to a man of taste... the timber is said to be as valuable as the landAfter the mid-19th century, the house saw a series of tenants.

The house and grounds were sold for £35,000 to a local builder Robert Streather who converted the 1905 mansion into a hotel, created a golf course on the park and in exchange was granted permission to develop the remaining land with upmarket residential properties.

It was said to be the sort of place where: aged, retired gentlemen sat most of the day buried in the Times and scowling at the slightest movement or noise from their fellowsThe 1905 house is still discernible as part of the much altered and extended hotel.

A blue plaque on the rear of the building, erected by the Sutton Coldfield Civic Society, commemorates John Vesey.