7 Best Villages For A New Home Outside Birmingham
Known as the UK’s ‘second city’, Birmingham has undergone major regeneration leading to the creation of thousands of new homes, the best of them being snapped up by keen city dwellers. But city living isn’t the choice for every house-hunter today.
Lockdown has seen major changes in people’s top priorities for what makes the best new home – home working means less reliance on commuting, and countryside homes can offer more space inside and out for the same money.
So, whether or not you are considering a new home in central Birmingham, it is worth looking at some of the top countryside villages around it in which to buy a property in the West Midlands.
Dorridge
A large village in the borough of Solihull, and ideal for commuting when for work or leisure, Dorridge has a small shopping centre, a village hall, a number of schools and a church community. It sits alongside beautiful Warwickshire countryside, so residents can enjoy leisurely countryside walks. The area has also been ranked in 2022 as one of the best places in the UK for Sunday lunch. Dorridge has its own railway station with regular trains to Birmingham Moor Street and Snow Hill, taking around 20 minutes.
Knowle
Close to the Grand Union Canal, Knowle is around 13 miles from Birmingham. For families, Knowle is a top choice with a Church of England primary school (‘Outstanding’, says Ofsted), and also has a nursery, and a highly rated secondary school. Just a five-minute drive from the M42, its nearest train station is either Dorridge or Widney Manor, which has direct trains to Birmingham Moor Street, taking around 15 minutes.
Henley-in-Arden
Around 18 miles south of Birmingham, one of the oldest market towns in England, Henley-in-Arden is home to around 3,000 people and with a number of schools rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted, is a popular choice for families. There’s a conservation area high street and lovely pubs and restaurants. Fans of the outdoors will find numerous sports clubs, walks along the River Alne, and you could even hire a day boat. Birmingham Snow Hill can be reached in just 33 minutes by train from Henley-in-Arden.
Bewdley
A beautiful town on the River Severn, Bewdley lies around three miles from Kidderminster and 22 miles south-west of Birmingham. It is home to a selection of schools, including The Bewdley School and Sixth Form Centre (rated ‘Good’) which is well-known for its above-average GCSE and A-Level results. Bewdley has a festival which takes place each October, as well as a popular Bewdley Beer Festival which is held every August Bank Holiday weekend.
Bentley Heath
A quiet village, Bentley Heath is home to ample amounts of green space, and plenty of local amenities, including a café, a hairdresser’s, a Post Office and Bentley Heath C of E Primary School. Just three miles from the centre of Solihull, it is also well located for access to the M40 and M42.
Clent
Walkers will love Clent, home to the Clent Hills which are owned by the National Trust, where it is estimated that just under a million visitors visit the hills each year. There is a small primary school (rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted), and then children can continue their education at the local secondary school in the neighbouring village of Hagley. Stourbridge is just four miles away.
Alvechurch
Around 11 miles south of Birmingham and five miles east of Bromsgrove, Alvechurch has a great range of amenities of its own including independent shops, a pharmacy and ‘Good’ rated middle school. There’s a playing field and sports clubs to enjoy. The village also has its own railway station on the line between Birmingham and Redditch.
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