Kings Heath - Take a tour with us!

Birmingham has much more to offer than its magnificent city centre. There are some fascinating places to experience out in the neighbourhoods. Here's a look at Kings Heath. From Sarehole Mill (Moseley / Hall Green) via Moseley Golf Club and Billesley. On the Kings Heath High Street from the Hare & Hounds to the library. Via Highbury Hall & Park etc.

How to get to Kings Heath?

We are actually starting this tour well outside of Kings Heath on the Moseley  / Hall Green border. Catch the 11A, 11C or no 5 bus to Cole Bank Road and start your walk from Sarehole Mill. You can also cycle here if you want to. Get the train to Hall Green Station, then walk down Cole Bank Road to Sarehole Mill.

If you feel that you can't do all the walk in one go, just get the bus to the next section. The 11C gets you to Kings Heath.

 

Sarehole Mill

Sarehole Mill is located on Cole Bank Road in what was the hamlet of Sarehole. It now falls between Moseley and Hall Green. The current mill was built in 1771. But had been a mill on this site since 1542. It is known for it's association with J. R. R. Tolkien, who as a child lived in a house round the corner on Wake Green Road. The mill was in use until 1919. It was taken over and restored by Birmingham City Council in 1969, and has been run by the Birmingham Museums Trust since 2012. There has been further restorations since then including the Bake House in 2019-20, where they now bake pizza, which you can eat in the courtyard. There is also a tea room on site, as well as the mill pond to the back.

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Leaving the mill behind, next walk up Swanshurst Lane to Swanshurst Park.

 

Swanshurst Park

Swanhurst Park is between Moseley and Billesley on Swanhurst Lane, Yardley Wood Road and Brook Lane, and is centred around the Moseley New Pool. At certain times of the year Zippos Circus can be found in the park, usually around April. The park has also in the past been known to have a fun fair on the same site. To the far end of the park is Billesley Community Fire Station at the corner of Yardley Wood Road and Brook Lane.

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Leave the park at Yardley Wood Road, then walk up Coldbath Road towards Billesley. Then turn onto Brook Lane, you will see a Kings Heath sign near The Billesley public house. Continue until you go onto Springfield Road and to Moseley Golf Club.

 

Moseley Golf Club

Where Moseley Golf Club is now, was in the 19th century, Billesley Hall Farm. Which was built on the site of a medieval house called Burley Hall. Founded in September 1892, Moseley Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Birmingham. The old farm buildings now form part of the club's buildings and is used to house the steward and caterer. The club bought the freehold of the course in 1919.

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From Springfield Road, next head to Institute Road. Stop for coffee at Costa Coffee. Or other venues on the Kings Heath High Street. Turn right towards the Hare & Hounds pub.

 

Hare & Hounds

The Hare & Hounds is a Grade II listed building, dating to 1907 on the corner of York Road and the Kings Heath High Street. Built of red brick with red terracotta dressings, tiled roof, polished granite plinth. UB40 first gigged here on the 9th February 1979. 

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From York Road head onto Waterloo Road, South Road, Grange Road and to Avenue Road to get to Kings Heath Park.

 

Kings Heath Park

Kings Heath Park is on Vicrage Road and Avenue Road in Kings Heath. The park was originally called Victoria Park, centred on a house dating to 1832. John Cartland bought it in 1880 (he was an ancestor of the famous romance novelist Dame Barbara Cartland).  The house and park became part of Birmingham in 1911, and has been developed since then.

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Leave the park at the main entrance at Vicarage Road, then turn right towards King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools.

 

King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools

Founded at Camp Hill in 1883, King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys moved to the Vicarage Road site in Kings Heath during 1956, followed by King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls in 1958. The ground the school covers stretches to Cartland Road. The land was owned by the Cartland family from 1880 until the 1900s.

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After checking out King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools, next head down Cartland Road, turn onto Pineapple Road. Cross over the junction with Dad's Lane, and head onto Shutlock Lane and into Highbury Park.

 

Highbury Park

Highbury Park was the estate of Joseph Chamberlain who lived at Highbury Hall from 1880 until his death in 1914. The park opened to the public in 1930. There is entrances from Moor Green Lane, Shutlock Lane (Dad's Lane) and the Kings Heath High Street.

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Make your way to the back of the park and find the paths that leads to the former gardens of Highbury Hall, once home to Joseph Chamberlain.

 

Highbury Hall

Highbury Hall was built for Joseph Chamberlain between 1878-79, and he lived here from 1880 until his death in 1914. The hall is now managed by the Chamberlain Highbury Trust, who are having the hall and grounds restored. Entrance from Yew Tree Road, but you can get to the house from the back via Chamberlain Gardens in Highbury Park.

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Back via Highbury Park, take the paths to the gatehouse at Moor Green Lane and Yew Tree Road. Then walk past the front of Highbury Hall on Yew Tree Road and then go onto Queensbridge Road. Some properties down here were Cadbury related. Back to the Kings Heath High Street, pass the main entrance to Highbury Park, and shortly pass the site of Kings Heath Station, and you will pass Kings Heath Library.

 

Kings Heath Library

Kings Heath Library was built in 1905 for the then King's Norton & Northfield Urban District Council. Funds were provided by Andrew Carnegie. The library became part of Birmingham from 1911. The building was extended later in the 20th century.

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Walk down the High Street, and on the other side you will see The Kingsway, a former cinema, now just a facade, but with the rear now used as an outdoor market, and occasional outdoor cinema space.

 

The Kingsway

The Kingsway opened in 1925, and was a cinema until 1980. It was converted into an Essoldo bingo club, a use it still retained in later years as a Gala Bingo Club, which was closed in 2007. The empty building was badly damaged by a fire which occurred early in the morning on 17th September 2011. Work began on demolishing the building in mid-March 2018. The façade has been saved. It is now Outdoor at the Kingsway (with an occasional open air market and outside cinema).

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End your tour continuing to walk down the Kings Heath High Street near the shops. For buses there is the 35 or 50, as well as the 27, 11A, 11C or the 76. A good place to end your tour is at Kings Heath Village Square near All Saints Church.

 

All Saints Church

The parish church of Kings Heath was built as an Anglican church, starting in 1859-60. A spire was added in 1866. The north aisle added in 1883 and the west end was enlarged in 1899. It is a Grade II listed building. Kings Heath Village Square opened outside of the church in 2011, in what was the churchyard of All Saints.

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Head onto the path near All Saints Church, passing the war memorial, you are now in Kings Heath Village Square, where you will end your trail.

 

Kings Heath Village Square

Kings Heath Village Square was developed out of the churchyard of All Saints Church in Kings Heath and was opened in October 2011. Close to the junction of Vicarage Road and High Street in Kings Heath. There is a Farmers Market about once a month in the square on the first Saturday of the month.

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Photos by Elliott Brown

The message from the residents of Springfield Road, Kings Heath is clear: "SLOW DOWN 20 IS PLENTY!"

Since the introduction of the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme to Kings Heath in 2020, it has resulted in heavy levels of traffic on the High Street and Vicarage Road. As a result, car drivers have been taking shortcuts down Springfield Road. The speed limit is 20 miles per hour, but many are exceeding this. Residents have yarn bombed lampposts and bollards all the way down the road.

The problem with Low Traffic Neighbourhood in Kings Heath

While the Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in Kings Heath has been designed for pedestrians and cyclists. It has created issues for car drivers. Residents live on those streets, and how do they get their cars out? As a result, traffic is now always busy up and down the Kings Heath High Street, as well as Vicarage Road, due to so many streets being closed to motorists. Residents of Vicarage Road have signs in their windows, such as "We need clean air too!".

 

Yarn bombing on Springfield Road, Kings Heath

Over on Springfield Road (from Poplar Road, Valentine Road and Cambridge Road towards Brook Lane) the speed limit is 20 miles per hour. There is even speed bumps. But idiot car drivers continue to exceed this speed limit.

So local residents have been getting busy during the last lockdown, knitting, and yarn bombing lampposts and bollards up and down the road. As you will see in the examples below.

Photos taken on the afternoon of Sunday 27th June 2021. Starting from near Cambridge Road Methodist Church.

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Instead of driving a car down here at 100 miles per hour, perhaps walk, or ride a bike? Or catch a bus? (note that riding private electronic scooters is illegal on roads or pavements, even in Kings Heath).

 

This is near the Outer Circle bus route 11. The 11A bus stop on Brook Lane near Moseley Golf Club, while the bus stop for the 11C is on Addison Road. The 35 and 50 are a short walk away on the High Street (walk via Valentine Road, Poplar Road, Heathfield Road, Institute Road or Addison Road).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

The distinctive street art of Mohammed "Aerosol" Ali around Birmingham

Mohammed "Aerosol" Ali is known in Birmingham for his stencil sprayed on artwork around the City. Such as in Kings Heath, Moseley or Digbeth. Most famous for doing pieces on the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali (who died in 2016). More recently he has done a Malcolm X piece outside The Art Rooms Kings Heath. Plus "I Can't Breathe" Black Lives Matter pieces in 2020.

The art of Mohammed Ali aka Aerosol Ali seen around Birmingham from 2016 until 2021. Note that not all of his pieces displayed here are still visible to see. Some of his art is politcal. Connect with Mohammed on Twitter (click the link above).

 

Digbeth

Location: Bradford Street

Date: June 2018

"The fish, even in the fishermans net, still carries the smell of the sea."

This piece has been painted over, and part of the hoarding is missing as of June 2021.

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Location: Bradford Street

Date: August 2020

"I Can't Breathe" - Black Lives Matter.

These posters have probably been removed, and other taggers kept writing over it.

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Moseley

Location: Moseley Central - Alcester Road

Date: February 2017.

Deaths in 2016, including Muhammad Ali, Alex Keogh, USA  (Trump election) and Jo Cox.

These hoardings have gone, and Moseley Central was completed in 2018.

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Muhammad Ali (1942-2016). Famous boxer. His namesake Mohammed Ali (no relation), sprayed pieces like this all around the City after Ali died aged 74.

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USA (1776-2016). The election of Donald Trump in November 2016. Served one term as the 45th President of the United States (20th January 2017 to 20th January 2021). Succeeded by Joe Biden (as 46th President of the United States), after Trump lost the 2020 election. Trump was banned from all social media platforms early in 2021.

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Alex Keogh (1988-2016). Not sure about him, other than a young man that died young, at 28. He was a teaching assistant according to the Birmingham Mail. He died of a alcohol and drug overdose at Christmas Eve 2016.

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Jo Cox (1974-2016). She was MP for Batley and Spen from the 7th May 2015, until she was murdered on the 16th June 2016, in Birstall, West Yorkshire of gun shot wounds, and she was stabbed. She was 41 years old.

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Kings Heath

Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: June 2016

Muhammad Ali (1942 - 2016). This was one of the first pieces I found of Mohammed Ali. He also did similar pieces in Sparkbrook and elsewhere in the City at the time.

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Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: October 2019

Greta Thunberg. A teenage environmental activist. She was born in Sweden in 2003. She is now 18 years old. But was 16 when Mohammed Ali sprayed this on the wall.

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Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: July 2020

"I Can't Breathe" - Black Lives Matter. This piece had perspex put over it by the Council.

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Location: Acorns - Silver Street

Date: January 2021

2021 - Coronavirus Pandemic, the new year after the disaster that was 2020. The year of vaccines in 2021. This piece is still on the wall.

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Location: The Art Rooms - High Street

Date: June 2021

Malcolm X on Marshall Street, Smethwick, early February 1965. A few weeks after his return to the US, he was shot dead in New York. Mohammed Ali also painted a Palestine flag on it, during the "Free Palestine" movement. After the bombings in Israel and continuing issues with the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Westside Metro extension from Hagley Road to Broad Street - Late April 2021 update

With lockdown restrictions being eased, I was able to back on the bus again for the first time in around 4 months. Again got the no 1 bus to Harborne Road in Edgbaston, and walked around Highfield Road to the start of the Westside Metro extension outside of 54 Hagley Road. Pitstop at Starbucks, bit of rain, and had my coffee on the walk down Broad Street.

A walk down Hagley Road and Broad Street on the morning of Thursday 29th April 2021. The third lockdown over the last four months meant I was unable to travel into the City Centre (other than by car). I did once pass this area in the car (as a passenger) going to and from Edgbaston Reservoir. But with lockdown restrictions being eased again, I'm able to ride trains and buses again. Got the no 1 to the Harborne Road terminus in Edgbaston, and walked down to Highfield Road (instead of taking the Morrisons shortcut). To get to the Hagley Road and walk towards Fifty4 Hagley Road.

 

Edgbaston Village

This is the site of what might be called Edgbaston Village Tram Stop, outside of Fifty4 Hagley Road (54 Hagley Rd).

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There isn't much sign of a tram stop here, and they are still doing things around the tracks.

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The site is just outside of Barclays Bank on the Hagley Road.

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Heading to Starbucks Coffee for a drink, there is outdoor seating (not many tables and chairs).

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I did initially sit at a table, but started to rain, so instead crossed over the road and continued on to Five Ways Island and Broad Street. Temporary traffic lights here.

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Five Ways Tram Stop

Now on Broad Street, venues such as Cineworld and Pryzm have been closed since before the 2nd lockdown, and should be reopening by May 2021.

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The crossover point on Broad Street near Pryzm, towards The Bank and The Mercian.

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The other direction past Cineworld towards the Five Ways underpass, this leads to the Hagley Road in Edgbaston.

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Bishopsgate Street, between Pryzm and Cineworld, has new paving. I look forward to going back to the cinema. For me it's been all Netflix and Amazon Prime Video over the 3rd lockdown.

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The new Five Ways Tram Stop, with a view towards The Bank and The Mercian. Doesn't seem that long ago that you could get buses down here (more than 2 years ago now).

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Map showing the further extensions that are being built, including to Brierley Hill, Wolverhampton Station and the Eastside extension.

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Another look at Five Ways Tram Stop from Broad Street. In the direction of Five Ways Island.

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Brindleyplace Tram Stop

Continuing on along Broad Street. It was very quiet in the morning. The odd person or cyclist heading down here.

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Also the one person on a scooter. This was near The Bank and The Mercian.

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Some poles have been installed for the overhead cables on Broad Street.

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Approaching the site of Brindleyplace Tram Stop, I noticed the scaffolding on the left at Ten Brindleyplace, Willmott Dixon Interiors. Sainsbury's Local was open.

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Brindleyplace Tram Stop was outside of Nine Brindleyplace and Free Radio.

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Beyond Brindleyplace towards The Brasshouse and The Crown (Reflex The 80's Bar) and Coyote Ugly.

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Outside of The Solomon Cutler Free House was parked several Colas Rail vans. I think they were doing something near Library Tram Stop.

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Many of the Broad Street Walk of Stars were back on the pavement I noticed. Mostly the ones I've seen in the past.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Kings Heath Village Square at Vicarage Road and High Street near All Saints Church

The churchyard of All Saints Church in Kings Heath was refurbished into Kings Heath Village Square back in 2011. Located near Vicarage Road and the Kings Heath High Street. There is a regular Famers Market, once a month on the first Saturday of the month. Other events have taken place here over the years. Such as National Express West Midlands promoting the then new no 50 bus.

KINGS HEATH VILLAGE SQUARE

The Village Square opened in Kings Heath back in October 2011. The land was originally the churchyard of All Saints Church (some graves and grave stones remain, plus a war memorial). It's like an old village green now but in the heart of Kings Heath. One of the main features is a Labyrinth that people can walk around for fun. The All Saints Centre was also built around the same time (it includes a cafe and pharmacy).

Many cultural events and markets have taken place here over the years (before the pandemic). Such as the Kings Heath Farmers Market, taking place on the first Saturday of each month. Sometimes even a small fun fair with rides. Or collections for charity at Christmas time.

Kings Heath Village Square is located at a site between Vicarage Road and the High Street in Kings Heath, with All Saints Church to the far end of the square.

Bus routes include the 11A, 11C, 35, 50 and 76.

 

Kings Heath Village Square over the years

One of my earliest photos of Kings Heath Village Square, taken during February 2012, of the Labyrinth. You can see some market stalls near the Kings Heath All Saints Centre. Taken during the Kings Heath Farmers Market on Saturday 4th February 2012.

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A day later on Sunday 5th February 2012, I returned to Kings Heath when there was a snowfall. This view of Kings Heath Village Square towards the All Saints Centre.

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A blue sky during the middle of January 2020 as seen in Kings Heath Village Square. The Platinum buses had been on the 50 for over a year by this point. All Saints Church seen to the left.

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Some snow in Kings  Heath Village Square, as seen from the no 11A bus on Vicarage Road. This was near the end of December 2020 (while still in Tier 3 restrictions at the time). View to All Saints Church.

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Markets and fairs in the Village Square over the years

 

Kings Heath Farmers Market

This was the Kings Heath Farmers Market as held on Saturday 7th December 2013. It was Christmas time, so there was also some rides there for kids, as well as Father Christmas.

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It was open from 9am until 2pm. The Christmas Gift & Craft Fayre was also being held by the Moseley & Kings Heath Lions Club.

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Plenty of market stalls all around the square that day.

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Bottles of a drink for sale.

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A Disney style teacups ride for kids to enjoy.

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Oh look, it's Father Christmas in his sleigh with a couple of reindeer! From the Moseley & Kings Heath Lions Club.

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Kings Heath Winter Fest

This took place on Saturday the 15th November 2014 in Kings Heath Village Square. Plenty of rides for kids to go on.

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A small ferris wheel.

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Hook A Duck

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Signs showing that the All Saints Centre had hall & rooms available for hire. Also the banner for this event.

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Brum Yum Yum Kings Heath

This event took place on the 9th April 2016. It was part of the KingshEATh Streetfood Market.

From this VW Campervan you could buy Mexican Street Food. Cafe Borchata.

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The British Bus Bar, was next to something about Virgin Media.

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The Food Yule Love trailer.

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Drink Up.

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Charlie Dumpling was outside of the All Saints Centre.

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The 50 bus from National Express West Midlands

On Saturday the 18th April 2015, National Express West Midlands launched the (then) new bus to be used on the no 50 bus route between Birmingham City Centre and Druids Heath (via Balsall Heath, Kings Heath, Moseley and the Maypole).

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It was 6132 Julie.

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This fleet of buses was on the 50 from 2015 to 2018, before being transferred to the 11A and 11C, when the 50 went Platinum from December 2018.

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These buses have since been rebranded from 50 to 11A or 11C, with hints of yellow over the red. So it's more likely that you might be on the 11 on Vicarage Road, than on a 50 on the High Street (as you'd be in Platinum bus instead).

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The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

The trail of painted owls wasn't only in the City Centre back in the summer of 2015, but you could find some in Kings Heath (as well as the little owls). One owl was here in Kings Heath Village Square, plus you could find another one in Kings Heath Park and outside of Kings Heath Library at the time. The trail ran for 10 weeks (after which the owls were auctioned off for charity).

In Kings Heath Village Square you could find: The Owl and the Pussycat Went to Sea by the artist Mik Richardson. It was sponsored by the Kings Heath BID. Seen during July 2015.

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Classic Car Meet

Click here for the full Classic Car Meet post. This was held on the August Bank Holiday Monday, 26th August 2019 in Kings Heath Village Square. I was changing buses from the 50 to 11A when I spotted all these classic cars and I went to have a look before going home.

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Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown