Selly Oak
A Comprehensive Area Guide
Selly Oak, named after a massive oak tree once at the junction of Bristol Road, and Harborne Lane is an industrial, and residential suburb ten minutes south of Bruhm’s city centre.
It’s well connected to the city, and other suburbs via road and rail, and simultaneously features everything a resident might need from excellent schools, health centers, to attractions that’ll tickle every kids’ fancy like Cadbury World.
Find out more about this popular suburban area below.
Getting Around Selly Oak; Transport Links in the Area
There are great transport links in Selly Oak so getting around shouldn’t be a hassle. The area has a dedicated train station; the Selly Oak Railway station opened in 1876. It operates between Redditch, Birmingham, and Lichfield, providing direct links from Selly Oaks, to the city centre, and the surrounding burbs. Trains call at 10-minute intervals from Monday through Saturdays, and every 30-minutes on Sundays.
If you prefer movement by road, Selly Oak is directly connected to Birmingham city centre via Bristol Road(A38) and Pershore Road. Bus services by the National Express West Midlands regularly run along Bristol Road, and routes like 11 and 38, connecting Selly Oak residents to the city centre, and it’s environs.
The Worcester and Birmigham Canal has an opening in Selly Oaks, allowing residents an alternative commute route with pleasant views. Simply put, Selly Oak is well connected to Birmingham, and other areas by rail, road, and even water.
Schools in the Selly Oak Area
Selly Oak is Birmingham’s most popular student suburb and for a good reason; it offers affordable housing, and is close to the city centre, and coveted higher learning institutions like the University of Birmingham.
Additionally, the area itself has a selection of great primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges. Public primary schools in Selly Oak include St. Edwards RC, St, Mary’s C of E, Water Mill, St. Joseph’s Catholic, Selly Oak C of E, Selly Park County, and Raddlebarn Primary & Nursery School.
For state secondary learning, area students often head to Selly Oak Trust, Selly Park Girl’s School, and Kings Norton Girls’ School and Sixth Form. There’s also a number of colleges in the area led by the University of Birmingham Selly Oak Campus. Other options include
- Westhill College
- The College of Ascension
- Andrews College
Amenities in Selly Oak
Selly Oak is well developed and has alot to offer its residents. Some of the amenities available to the public are:
Libraries
There aren’t many libraries in the area, but the Selly Oak (Touchbase) Library inside Sense Touchbase Pears on Bristol Road is a superb option for anyone looking to enjoy some quiet reading time. It’s one of the few Carnegie-funded libraries still operational today.
It was officially opened in 1906, and was later refurbished to include lots of comfortable seating, and a wider book selection. The facility itself is bright, spacious, and welcoming, and opens on varying days so be sure to checkout the website for more information. There’s a cafe right next to the library serving tasty treats and drinks.
Health Centres in Selly Oak
Despite the rising costs of global healthcare, living in Selly Oak allows residents seamless access to quality and affordable healthcare thanks to multiple NHS treatment health centers. Check out Selly Oak Health Centre on Katie Road for GP surgeries.
The facility opens Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm on certain days, and 7am to 6.30 pm on others Bournbrook Varsity Medical Centre on Alton Road is yet another NHS GP surgery in Selly Oak. It offers an array of clinical services, child health & immunisations to minor GP surgeries. Other NHS hospitals and dentists in the area include;
- Selly Park Surgery
- University Southgate Practice
- Shirley Road Health Centre
- Selly Oak Dental Practice
- JD Dental Practice
- The Dental Surgery
Foods and Drinks in Selly Oak
Selly Oak is a foodie’s haven. The suburb is home to a variety of places to eat, ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants, to cheap eats and classic pubs. Locals often head to the Simpsons Restaurant, a Michelin-starred food heaven on High Field Road for some classic British cuisines in a well-decorated Georgian Room, and a beautiful terrace garden. But if you prefer fine-dining with a celebrity chef in a chic, Michelin-starred dine-in spot with a bar, Purnells Restaurant on Cornwall Street is the place for you.
Nandos in the Selly Oak Shopping Park Centre is one of Selly Oak’s top-spots for tantalizing chicken, while the Royal Watan Kashmiri Restaurant is certainly your best option if you fancy some good and authentic curry. Fast-food lovers in Selly Oak also have quite a number of options ranging from the Burger-me-up burger restaurant on Bristol Road, Pizzaland and Pizza Pepper restaurants also on Bristol Road. For some locally-brewed beers, and a rich selection of alcoholic beverages in a chill but fun environment, The Goose, a pub on Bristol Road is the place to be.Bristol Pear is also a popular watering hole especially among college and university-going students in Selly Oak. It features a chic interior with HD screens for live sports and other entertainment, pool tables, to a rich alcoholic menu.
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Living in Selly Oak
Life in Selly Oak is nothing but seamless and convenient. The area, while only ten minutes away from Bruhm’s bustling city centre, has everything you might need for a comfortable lifestyle, ranging from great schools, NHS hospitals, fantastic restaurants and pubs, to shopping parks featuring some of the country’s most renowned brands and great places to spend the day with kids. It’s a small, but all-rounded suburb you’ll enjoy living and working in.