Saxon King on Horse - the Olton Interchange sculpture

Located outside of Olton Station on Station Drive is sculptor John McKenna's Saxon King on Horse. It is on top of the Olton Interchange. Made in the early 2000s.


Where is Saxon King on Horse?

Saxon King on Horse is on top of the Olton Interchange - Olton Station, Station Drive, Olton, Solihull, B92 7AQ

 

In brief

In the early 2000s the then transport authority in the West Midlands, Centro, commissioned various artists including John McKenna to make sculptures to go on top of public transport interchanges. For Olton, John metal bashed the Saxon King on Horse.

Saxon King on HorseSaxon King on Horse - Olton Interchange (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Saxon King - origins

Olton means Old Town, and the nearby area Kineton mean's King's Town. There was a Saxon settlement at Yardley, but after a decline, nothing is known of it after 1086. Another nearby area Ulverley which means Wulfhere's clearing, flourished until late in the 12th century, until it was abandoned and a new town was built, the present Solihull. All that remains today is the names of Ulverley Green Road and Olton.

Saxon King on Horse

Saxon King on Horse

Saxon King on Horse

Saxon King on Horse

Saxon King on Horse

Saxon King on HorseSaxon King on Horse - Olton Interchange (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Olton Interchange

Trains from Olton between Dorridge, Birmingham Snow Hill and towards Stourbridge Junction, Kidderminster and Worcester. The no 37 bus used to go on Station Drive (later renumbered to the 4). But it now stays on the nearby Warwick Road, without going down this way. Only the A12 and 58 bus routes top outside the station now. The Grand Union Canal is a short walk away from the interchange.

Saxon King on Horse

Saxon King on HorseSaxon King on Horse - Olton Interchange (June 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

Project dates

31 Mar 2022 - On-going

Passions

Art; Culture & creativity, Transport, Travel & tourism

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com