King's Heath
A Comprehensive Area Guide
Planning to move to Birmingham but still weighing your options on where to stay? Add King’s Heath to your list of suburbs you might consider.
The area is only four miles of Birmingham’s city centre, and is well-served by road and rail. Although it’s pretty chill, King’s Heath has everything you might need to lead an all-rounded life from great schools, reputable healthcare facilities, to libraries, and public parks.
It’s centered on High Street where you’ll find a flurry of classic cafes and restaurants, pubs, to unique pop-ups serving fresh, locally-brewed beers pints. Read on to discover more about this suburban gem.
Getting Around King's Heath; Transport Links in the Area
King’s Heath is not only a few minutes from Birmingham’s city centre, it’s also well-connected by road, and rail to other suburbs in the region. It’s incredible accessibility is however no surprise as the suburb’s initial growth was mainly fueled by the construction of a road connecting Alcester to Birmingham.
As other suburbs in the area were slowly developing, King’s Heath got its first steam tram as early as the 18th century, followed by an electric tram at the turn of the 20th century.
King’s Heath accessibility has become even better over the years as more roads were and are continually constructed. Today, the southern suburb is served by a ton of bus routes, primarily from the National Express West Midlands connecting it to Birmingham, and areas like Maypole, Longbridge, Hawkesley, Druids Heath, Solihull and Northfield.
King’s Heath is also only two miles from Bournville Train Station which runs from Redditch to Lichfield via Birmingham, and about a 30-minute walk from Hall Green Station which links to Birmingham Moor Street, and distant areas like Worcester, to Statford-upon-Avon.
Schools in the King's Heath Area
King’s Heath isn’t just accessible, it also has a good number of public and private nursery, primary, secondary, and higher learning institutions. Most primary-school level learners attend Kings Heath Primary School, a community school opened in 2004 on Valentine Road. The school has nursery classes, and about 600 students but has the capacity to hold up to 756 learners. It has excellent Ofsted ratings as well and can support free meals for 17% of its student population.
The King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools for Girls is also a renowned learning facility not just among King’s Heath residents but nationally. It ranks 10th among state schools, and is considered one of the most academically successful learning institutions countrywide. It is a selective grammar school, and one of the King Edward VI Foundation’s seven schools in Birmingham.
Other nursery and primary schools in King’s Heath include Comore Infant and St. Dunstan’s Catholic Primary school. For secondary and higher learning in the area, the suburb’s students have the following options:
- Bishop Challoner Catholic College
- King’s Heath Boys
- King Edward’s Consortium
- Wheelers Lane Technology
- Birmingham Adult Education Service
- Swanshurst School & Sixth Form College
Amenities in King's Heath
King’s Heath has everything its residents need to lead a comfortable life. This includes amenities like:
Libraries
The King’s Heath Library on High Street is the suburb’s primary library. It was opened in 1905, and is among the first of Carnegie-funded libraries built in Birmingham.
As a multi-century old facility, the library holds historical significance, and is the best place to learn about King’s Heath, and Birmingham’s historical activities. It houses a collection of books, photographs, maps and various other publications dating from 1900s, that highlight the region’s history. It’s usually open from Monday through Saturdays, but opening hours may vary.
Health Centres in King's Heath
Access to quality and affordable healthcare while living in King’s Heath is seamless thanks to the range of healthcare facilities that support NHS treatments. Park Avenue & King’s Heath Practice is one such facility.
Opened in 1899 as a private practice partnership, the health center gradually expanded, and now offers a wide range of general practice NHS services to King’s Heath residents and its environs. Other healthcenters that offer NHS treatments in King’s Heath include:
- All Saints Medical Centre on Vicarage Road
- Allens Croft Childrens Centre
- Featherstone Medical Practice(private)
- Poplar Primary Care Centre
For NHS dentistry in King’s Heath, check out Kings Heath Dental Practice on Alcester Road, or the following private dentists in the area:
- Kings Heath Dental and Implant Centre- Vicarage Road
- Bupa Dental Care Kingsheath- High Street
- Walmley Dental Practice- Sutton Coldfield
Community Spaces in King's Heath
If you enjoy moments spent in nature, life in King’s Heath will suit you. A
If you enjoy moments spent in nature, or love going out to public spaces, life in King’s Heath will suit you. The area has a string of communal spaces ranging from parks,to golf courses and sports centres.
The King’s Heath Park on Vicarage Park is its primary park. It spans about 35acres, and was the first-ever urban park in Bruhm to attain green flag status. It has a pool area, two playgrounds, bowling green, a plant nursery, and is surrounded by beautiful heather beds, herbaceous borders, and alpine outcrops.
Highbury Park is another great public park just a short drive away on Shutlock Lane. It’s essentially based in Moseley, but has an entrance at Alcester Road in King’s Heath. Other public spaces in King’s Heath include:
- Kings Heath Stadium
- Cocks Moors Woods Sports and Leisure Centre
Foods and Drinks in King's Heath
For some insta-worthy deserts and ice creams check out the Milk Cake Man ice cream parlour on King’s Court close to High Street. The parlour offers a range of sweet treats served in creative, Insta-worthy styles guaranteed to tickle everyone’s fancy. If you live for pizza make sure you check out Poli on York Road. The pizzeria has a long string of delicious pizza flavors cooked in woodfire for that extra oomph and serves incredibly scrumptious ice cream sandwiches for dessert.
For a fantastic outdoor dining experience in King’s Heath you’ll want to stop by Grace +James also on York Road. It’s a wine bar and shop with a terrace where you can enjoy a wine sundowner, and the tasty array of deli delights served. And if you prefer to sit-in, Grace + James has more space upstairs where they also serve breakfast, brunch and even Sunday Roasts. Ensure you check out the Juke Bar
The Juke Bar, a pop-up serving locally-crafted beer and great music for a relaxed night out is just a short walk away from the wine shop. The Juke Bar regularly partners and allows local food businesses to use its kitchen to cook up exciting delicacies to ensure revelers have nothing short of a wonderful experience.
More Area Guides
Living in King's Heath
King’s Heath is one Birmingham’s top tier suburbs. Not only does it provide convenient access to the city centre, it has everything one might need, from great schools, NHS hospitals, public parks, to great dining, and retail options.