An 18th-century village, now a city suburb, King’s Heath is a charming little town brimming with independent quirks that make it a relaxing spot away from the heart of bustling Birmingham.
Kings Heath came into being as a village in the 18th-century when improvements to the Alcester-to-Birmingham road acted as a catalyst for the development of new houses and farms. Before this, the area was a largely uninhabited wasteland run by the Royal Borough of Kings Norton.
The streets running off High Street are dominated by pre-1919 terraced, owner-occupied housing, creating a unique but beautiful aesthetic.
Several independent shops have begun to emerge, leading to an influx of boutiques and the start of an (organic) café culture. In 2008, the businesses agreed to establish a Business Improvement District, which top-slices a proportion of their local business taxes to go directly into improvements and promotion of the area, really demonstrating what a great community they have here.
The local community still refers to Kings Heath as a “village” even though it has been part of Birmingham for over a century. Its centre at the High Street / Vicarage Road junction has been developed to form an attractive public square which is used as a venue for a monthly farmers’ market and other events.
On 28 July 2005, Kings Heath was hit by a major (by European standards) tornado which damaged several shops on High Street and All Saints’ Church. The tornado then moved on to damage many houses in Balsall Heath. There were no fatalities.
Pubs in Kings Heath include The Hare and Hounds, The Old Court, and The Red Lion all of which have live music and exude a brilliant atmosphere.
