Where is Victoria Common?

Victoria Common Recreation Ground is between Church Road and St Laurence Road, Northfield Birmingham B31 2BB

 

In brief

A Recreation Ground hidden behind the Northfield Shopping Centre, a short distance away from the Northfield High Street on Bristol Road South. There are paths to Victoria Common from Church Road, Heath Road South, St Laurence Road and Bristol Road South. As well as an entrance / exit to the common from Northfield Shopping Centre.

Victoria Common Recreation Ground, Northfield (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Victoria Common as it was in 2010

Some views of Victoria Common in 2010, mostly towards the play area.

Victoria Common Recreation Ground, Northfield (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Victoria Common Play Area is close to Meeting House Street and the Victoria Common Car Park.

Victoria Common Recreation Ground, Northfield (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

There is paths all over the park.

Victoria Common Recreation Ground, Northfield (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

One path to the play area leads to Heath Road South, the gated entrance to the south.

Victoria Common Recreation Ground, Northfield (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

 

Victoria Common - details

Victoria Common was once one of Northfield Village's open fields where in the Middle Ages, individual villagers held strips of land divided by deep furrows, creating a corrugated surface called ridge and furrow, still traceable today.

Entrance from Northfield Shopping Centre - Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

For many years, the land existed as public common land known as Bradley Field.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In 1897 the land was laid out by the Council as a municipal recreation area to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Northfield Sons of Rest - Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The landscape works were completed and the site was reopened to the public in 1901.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Much of the park land was gifted by George Cadbury in 1905 and additional land was bought by the City from Mr CE Hodgetts in 1912, these areas largely form the Park we have today.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

A tributary of Griffin's Brook ran through the park but was piped underground as far as St. Laurence Road during the landscaping process.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The original grand entrance gates, park-keeper's lodge gardeners' workshops and nursery greenhouse all stood on Bristol Road South where the Northfield's Shopping Centre stands today.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The park has gradually changed and developed since it was first opened, with additions of tennis courts lard in the 1930s, and a children's play area built in the 1950s.

Victoria Common Recreation Ground, Northfield (June 2010). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In 2004, an additional play area was created along with a Multi Use Games Area.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

In 2012 the changing rooms were renewed and, most recently in 2013, funding permitted the installation of a number of new features.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

These include the renewal of the toddlers' play area with inclusive play equipment: Northfield's first Outdoor Gym Area, new signage and entrance features, new litter bins and street furniture and most significantly, the creation of a new meeting area called The Picnic Garden', a place where people of all ages can meet together and relax in the park in new ways.

Victoria Common, Northfield (April 2023). Photography by Elliott Brown