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B31 (Birmingham) area guide
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Postcode District:
B31
Postcode District Name:
Birmingham
Location:
The B31 postcode district lies within or includes part of the following towns, counties, localities, electoral wards and stations: Alvechurch, Bartley Green, Birmingham, Bournville, Kings Norton, Longbridge, Northfield, Uffdown, Weoley, Worcestershire.
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History:
Once the powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution in England, Birmingham’s origins lie in the Anglo-Saxon period, dating back to the early 7th century. It is believed that the name Birmingham derived from the Anglo word ‘Beorma Inga Ham’ meaning ‘homestead of the sons (or descended) of Beorma’, a common name given for a leader who owns Beorma’s farm. There is plenty of evidence of the Saxon settlement. Some obvious examples are the place names that end with the suffix –ley , which mean ‘clearing in a forest’.
Later in 1166, Peter de Birmingham, the holder of the manor of Birmingham, was granted permission to hold a market inside his premises. Known as The Bull Ring, it transformed Birmingham from a village to a market town.
Some of the most prominent items of Birmingham trade are iron and coal. By the 16th century, the metalworking industries became established. When the English Civil War broke out in the 17th century, Birmingham produced units of small arms used by the warriors. The manufacture of armour became Birmingham’s staple trade, and from the 18th century onwards, the town grew rapidly, the population increased and thinkers and industrialists gathered together to form the Lunar Society. In the 18th century, the population reached 70,000, making it the largest town in Warwickshire. As the Industrial Revolution started taking hold of the town’s development, the steam engine, cars and the railway system began to become popular. Birmingham achieved city status and kept expanding, with immigrants from Russia, Germany, Poland, and Italy moving here, as well as many families from Ireland. Birmingham suffered greatly from the Luftwaffe bombing during the Blitz, and in the 1950s and 1960s, the city was rebuilt.
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Present Day:
Birmingham is now famously known as Britain’s second city. It is also a world-famous jewellery centre, as abundant metal resources in the form of iron, silver and gold play a significant role in the city’s development. Birmingham is a modern and vibrant city which encompasses a racially integrated population. Birmingham has very diverse communities including Chinese, Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Irish, Jewish, and Afro-Caribbean. Much of what was left in Birmingham after World War II has been drastically changed.
Now, Birmingham has a population density of about 9,451 people per square mile. The total population is estimated to be around 1,016,800, and is ranked the second largest city after London. Birmingham has quite a large number of districts. Districts such as Moseley, Saltley, Yardley, Stirchley, and Hockley are among the largest ones, covering most of the residential area with luxury houses with a suburban-feel. House prices and living costs in Birmingham, while lower than in London, are certainly not cheap either. In the centrally located postcode of B31, most residents are wealthy working families with a high income. People have a high interest in education here. The average house price in B31 is around £150,000. Some of the most expensive homes are priced at over £510,000, such as those located on The Davids, Sundbury Rise and Belmont Covert. These roads are all clustered in a small area south of Manor Farm Park and the A38 (Bristol Road South).
For those looking to move to a more affordable area, and perhaps pick up a bargain, some of the least expensive properties can be found on Guardians Way, Bell Court, and Jubilee Court . Homes here can be purchased for around £60,000. Working commuters can be found in these areas. Generally older people enjoy living in smaller houses with one or two bedrooms.
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Amenities:
As a big, busy city, Birmingham provides excellent public transport. Getting in, out, and around Birmingham is easy and it is a major transportation connection for motorways, railway, and airport. Buses, local trains and trams are the most common means of public transportation in the city. Birmingham is famous for being a meeting point for three motorways. The M40 runs from the South via London or Oxford, the M6 comes from the North, and the M54 stretches along the western side, past Wolverhampton. Birmingham also has an expansive canal system. The most well-known stretch is Brindleyplace, which is a popular tourist attraction and is right next to the Natural Sea Life Centre. The entrance is located in Wharfside. The Jewellery Quarter on the canal towpath of Brindleyplace is a historic industrial centre.
At the joint of New Street, Paradise Street, and Colmore Row, stands a grand fountain at the heart of Victoria Square, which is one of the largest fountains in Europe. The square offers great views of the Council House which features a mural of proud Britannia. Just around the corner is Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, which comes highly recommended for an interesting and educational day out. Above New Street is a major shopping destination called the Pallasades, which offers various shops from high street brands to pound shops. One of four Selfridges stores in the UK is also located here. For the Hippodrome Theatre and old pubs like 52 Degrees North, The Bull’s Head, and The Old Joint Stock, Hurst Street and the surrounding roads are where you need to be. Other places of interest here include the gay district and the Arcadian in the Chinese Quarter. Lying to the north of Birmingham is the Black Country and Walsall. Birmingham is known as being the home of Cadbury World, where you can go on tours and sample the delicious chocolate produced there. The factory is located in its manufacturing site in Bourneville, in the Worcestershire countryside, which lies to the south of the city. The largest open park space in the area is Sutton Park, which includes a golf course and a number of ponds. Birmingham Botanical Gardens are a Victorian creation, with a conservatory and bandstand and are a good option for a fun day out.
Education in Birmingham is one of the best in the UK as the city council is Englands largest local education authority. Some top institutions include Birmingham City University, Aston University, City College, and the University of Birmingham. In B31, there are a number of primary and secondary schools within close proximity to one another other. For example, in B31 2FP, Kings Norton Girls School and Language College is adjacent to St Josephs Catholic Primary School, just at the corner of Sally Oak Road.
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