Edgbaston
A Comprehensive Area Guide
Edgbaston is a wealthy suburban area about 11 minutes southwest of Central Birmingham. The suburb was once home to the influential and affluent Calthorpe and Gillot families. They repudiated industrialization attempts in the area, fueling its rise as an area synonymous with the rich and noble of Birmingham.
Today, Edgbaston is defined by an endless array of multi-million Georgian and Victorian mansions, fine-dining restaurants and cafes, and classic pubs. It’s also home to internationally-acclaimed sporting venues such as the Edgbaston Cricket Stadium and the Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society.
While there’s no high rise in the area, an increasing number of flats are coming up to house the students, medical professionals, and younger families slowly settling here. Read on to discover more abou affluent Edgebaston.
Getting Around Edgbaston
Edgbaston is an incredibly well-connected suburb. Its accessibility is however no surprise since the suburb is not only affluent but also home to internationally recognized sporting venues and nationally acclaimed historical attractions that attract droves of people annually.
The area is only five minutes from Five Ways Train Station, which has direct links to University and New Street train stations. University Station links to the University of Birmingham, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and Birmingham Women’s Hospital. It also boasts excellent local links and serves areas like Four Oaks, Lichfield City, Bromsgrove, and Redditch.
When traveling further afield, take a train from Five Ways Station to New Street Station in Birmingham. As one of the largest and busiest train stations in the UK, New Street Station has direct links to major cities like London and Manchester and other major train stations across the country.
Prefer to get around by road? There are regular bus services along the A456 Hagley Road, which runs through Edgbaston, allowing direct access to Birmingham’s city center and distant places like Hereford, and Halesowen. The A456 also offers direct access to the M5 and M6 routes and the national motorway. Alternatively, you may take the A38 Bristol Road, which also runs through Edgbaston to Birmingham’s city center and beyond.
Even better, Edgbaston sits right off the ring road, providing convenient access to the national motorway network. And if you’re looking to enjoy some sights and sounds while you move around, you’ll be glad to know the Worcester and Birmingham Canal passes through the suburb, providing access to Birmingham’s city center via water.
Schools in the Edgbaston Area
Edgbaston is renowned for its long string of brilliant private and public academic institutions. It’s home to Birmingham City University and the University of Birmingham, two of the largest public universities in the West Midlands. Both institutions are well connected, with the University of Birmingham having its dedicated railway station(University Station mentioned earlier.)
Besides universities, the suburb has a great mix of public and private primary and secondary schools, such as:
- Edgbaston High School for Girls
- George’s School
- Hallfield School
- King Edward’s School
- Priory School
- Lordswood Boys School
Amenities in Edgbaston
As one of Birmingham’s most affluent suburbs and one of the most expensive postcodes outside the city of London, Edgbaston is well developed and has multiple, high-quality local amenities such as:
Libraries
Bibliophiles living in Edgbaston will enjoy seamless access to the main library at the University of Birmingham. Anyone can be a member of the library for a small fee.
Edgbaston is also a seven-minute drive from Birmingham Central Library in Centenary Square. The facility opens from 11 am to 7 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and from 11 am to 5 pm from Wednesday through Saturday. It features an excellent array of books, and even a cafe on site offering food, drinks, and snacks to the bookworms, researchers, students, and other members of the public who stop by.
Besides the two libraries, the suburb of Edgbaston is a short drive away from libraries in Harbone and several others in Birmingham’s bustling city center.
Health Centres in Edgbaston
Edgbaston has a good mix of NHS hospitals and private care facilities that support NHS treatments. These include The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, the largest single-site healthcare center in the UK, and the following hospitals:
- Birmingham City Hospital: formerly known as Dudley City Hospital is part of the Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust
- The Priory Hospital: the largest private hospital in Birmingham. It supports NHS treatments
- Westbourne Centre: a private clinic and day surgery center that caters to NHS patients from Edgbaston and its environs
- The Edgbaston Hospital: a private hospital committed to providing quality, friendly, specialist care to NHS patients
There are also a number of private dental practices that accept NHS patients in Edgbaston such as Edgbaston Dental Centre, Bhandal Dental Practice, and Portland Dental Practice.
Community Spaces in Edgbaston
Edgbaston is sometimes known as “where the trees begin” as a reference to the green, pristine spaces throughout the area. It is home to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a coveted, historically relevant 15-acre garden and one of Birmingham’s best attractions.
The gardens opened in 1832 are a sight to behold thanks to the beautiful water features, aviaries, rock gardens, and giant glasshouses with tropical plants, and a massive array of cacti and succulents. The gardens open from 9 am to 7 pm Monday through Friday and from 10 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
Only minutes from the botanical gardens is the Winterbourne House and Garden, yet another botanical garden in Edgbaston. The 7-acre garden is located inside the University of Birmingham campus in Edgbaston. It is home to more than 6000 species of flora collected globally and features Winterbourne House, a restored Edwardian mansion with unique arts and crafts elements. Other public gardens near Edgbaston include:
- Martineau Gardens
- Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
- Calthorpe Park
Foods and Drinks in Edgbaston
If you enjoy indulging, Edgbaston is a perfect fit for you. The area is home to a variety of fine dining, classic restaurants, indie cafes, bars, and niche retail shopping centers. Read on to find your spot.
Cafes and Restaurants in Edgbaston
For a fine dining experience in Edgbaston, head to the Simpsons Restaurant on Highfield Road. The Michelin-starred restaurant is housed in a stunning, Grade-II listed Georgian building and features a bright, modern interior inspired by nature. It is reputed for its unparalleled take on British cuisine and delivers one of the best fine-dining experiences in all of Birmingham.
To dine in a pleasant outdoor setting with Fido, or other furry best friends, check out The High Field Gastropub, just minutes away from the Simpsons Restaurant. It has a beautiful, spacious garden and a gorgeous sunny lounging terrace.
Check out Laghi’s Deli on Islington Row for tantalizing Italian cuisines and a rich beverage menu. For an assortment of yummy South East Asian Dishes, The Blue Piano on Harbone Road is where to go.
Top Shopping Spots in Edgbaston
To shop bespoke painting, photographic art, ceramics, and a fine selection of jewelry in Edgebaston, check out Lux Gallery on 13 Greenfield Crescent. And if you’re looking to add fashionable pieces to your closet, Passions 4 Fashion on Sherlock Street is just the place. Edgbaston also has a great range of home decor and furniture stores, such as OKA on Harbone Road and Neptune, for superb kitchen, handmade furniture, and decor.
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Living in Edgbaston
Edgbaston is a thriving residential suburb with great connectivity to Birmingham and other areas. It has a broad range of great places to dine, drink, shop, and pamper yourself and is highly functional thanks to its various amenities. The area also has an excellent selection of Georgian and Edwardian-style homes for sale, not forgetting an increasing number of flats and terraced properties. In a nutshell, living in Edgbaston guarantees access to quality housing and a smooth lifestyle.