Solihull

Historically part of Warwickshire, Solihull is one of the most prosperous towns in the English Midlands. In November 2013, the uSwitch Quality of Life Index named Solihull the “best place to live” in the United Kingdom. The motto of Solihull is Urbs in Rure (Town in Country). Solihull’s name is commonly thought to have derived from the position of its parish church, St Alphege, on a ‘soily’ hill. The church was built on a hill of stiff red marl, which turned to sticky mud in wet weather. Solihull probably came into being about a thousand years ago, as a clearing in the forest to which people would come to trade. The town is noted for its historic architecture, which includes surviving examples of timber framed Tudor style houses and shops. The historic Solihull School dates from 1560 (although not on its present site). The red sandstone parish church of St. Alphege dates from a similar period. Excellent communication links with the M42 (J4 and J5) which provides access to the M40 providing motorway access to London, the M6 and the North West and the M5 and the South West. Birmingham International Airport is a short drive away, as well as the hub of the Midlands rail network, the newly refurbished New Street. Solihull train station provides direct access to London Marylebone.

Knowle

Knowle is located to the south east of Solihull Town Centre, the villages of Bentley Heath, Dorridge and Lapworth are nearby. This home is located to the north of Knowle giving excellent access to the M42 and in turn giving access to the M40 and the M6. There are plenty of amenities close by including restaurants, pubs, shops, post office and hairdressers.

Dorridge

Dorridge is a large area in the Solihull borough, lying to the east of the M40 and the south of the M42 which, along with a small but important green belt area, separates Dorridge and its neighbours of Knowle and Bentley Heath from the greater urban area of Birmingham. Dorridge is neither urban nor a village, however, it sits right next to the Warwickshire countryside, with green fields being a short walk from the town centre. Property prices around Dorridge are amongst the highest in the West Midlands region. It has an excellent selection of local shops, a village hall, three churches and a highly sought after junior and infant school, not to mention the outstanding Arden Senior School. A considerable number of children go to private schools in Solihull, Warwick or Birmingham or to grammar schools in Birmingham or Stratford. There are also a few small restaurants and three pubs. Nearby are the historic buildings of Packwood House and Baddesley Clinton, and the Grand Union Canal is in walking distance with both the Heron’s Nest and Black Boy pubs being accessible. The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal also links in and is notable for a large flight of locks that descend into nearby Lapworth from Birmingham. To the west, just across the M42, there is a nature reserve at Blythe Valley Business Park. The park is next to the River Blythe which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Footpaths run from Dorridge both to the Park and to Solihull’s Brueton Park. Also to the west, located along Four Ashes Road, is a golf driving range.

Redditch

Laying in the north east of Worcestershire, Redditch was once the international centre for needle manufacturing, as well as the manufacturing of fishing tackle, springs and motorcycles. The town takes its name from the red soil of the River Arrow which runs through the town. In the 1960’s Redditch became a model for ‘New Town Planning’. Carefully designed and planned from its inception, Redditch boasts the archetypical layout of a ‘New Town’, including wide roads and extensive landscaping. RedditchThe town is predominantly a commuter residence for nearby Birmingham with traditional industries being replaced by modern light industries and services. There are a wide variety of shops in the town including the popular King Fisher Shopping Center. As for Education, Redditch is one of the few remaining parts of the United Kingdom which still follows the ‘Three-Tier’ system. There are a wide variety of First Schools (ages 4-7), Middle Schools (age 7-11) and Secondary Schools (age 1118). The Heart of Worcestershire College also has one of its three campuses in the Town providing excellent opportunites for further education.

Ullenhall

The popular village of Ullenhall, part of the borough of Startford-Upon-Avon, is regarded as an outstanding location in which to reside, set amongst greenbelt countryside, yet well placed for easy access to the M42, M40 and M5, as well as Birmingham International Railway Station, Airport and the National Exhibition Centre. Ullenhall is a village settlement and one of the old clearings made in the Forest of Arden. The village has an active village hall. The old and historic market town of Henley in Arden is about two miles distant and thus offers a wide range of shopping facilities, together with regular bus and train services, private junior and infant schools, banks, inns and restaurants. There are also churches of various denominations and sporting and recreational organisations.

Henley-In-Arden

Henley-in-Arden is a friendly small medieval town made up of two parishes in Warwickshire, surrounded by beautiful countryside all around and full of history dating back nearly 1000 years. Much of the original 17th and 18th Century architecture has been preserved making the town a wonderful place to be. Enjoy designer shops, restaurants, the famous Henley Ice Cream and the stunning Guild Hall along its mile long high street, or visit plenty of enjoyable attractions including the Henley Golf and Country Club and the Warwickshire Flight Experience. The town is also a treasure trove of history dating back to the 11th century when Thurstan de Montfort constructed Beaudesert Castle upon the Mount. Situated just seven miles from Stratford, the birthplace of the famous play writer William Shakespeare. Other nearby attractions includes Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick. Henley In Arden does have a rail station, with links to both Birmingham and Stratford and is also close to the M40 Motorway. The ancient settlement of Henley-in-Arden, defined by its black and white buildings and thriving “Court Leet” is only three miles from the property and provides for most everyday needs and gastro eating.

Tidbury Green

Tidbury Green is a delightful rural locality close to Solihull with its good stores and facilities, as well as the renowned Earlswood Lakes - a haven for sailing, fishing or walking. In addition, Shirley is only three miles distant and passenger rail services are available at Earlswood, Wythall and Whitlocks End stations and the Midlands motorway network are all within easy driving distance. It is close to Dickens Heath village centre and its excellent local amenities.

Lapworth

Lapworth i​s a village and civil parish in Warwickshire, England, which had a population of 2,100 according to the 2001 census; this had fallen to 1,828 at the 2011 Census. It lies six miles south of Solihull. Although there is some local employment in farming and service industries it is chiefly a commuter village for the larger surrounding towns of Coventry, Solihull and Birmingham. The village lies on the junction of two canals, the Stratford Canal, and the Grand Union Canal.​

NATIONAL MARKET REPORTS