Smethwick is an industrial town located within the metropolitan borough of Sandwell. Located four miles west of Birmingham city centre, the 2011 census showed it had a population of 14,146, with an estimate of the population today of approximately 15,500.
The History of Smethwick
Smethwick appears in the 1086 Doomsday Book as Smedeuuich, and the town was no more than a small hamlet on the outskirts of Harborne until the Industrial Revolution changed everything. The town became a centre of industry, and was the birthplace of the world’s oldest working engine the Smethwick Engine, built in 1779. More and more factories were built, as well as the Mitchells & Butlers Brewery, which was closed and developed into a 650-home housing estate in the first years of this century. The number of factories in the area made it a target for German bombers in the Second World War, and it was bombed on numerous occasions.
Transport Links
Smethwick has no less than three train stations. Smethwick Rolfe Street railway station is on the Stour Valley Line and has trains running to Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton and Walsall. The Hawthorns is on the Jewellery Line with trains running to Birmingham Snow Hill, Solihull and Stratford-upon-Avon. It also links to the Midland Metro and to Chiltern Railways which has a limited but direct service to London Marylebone.
Smethwick Galton Bridge station is on the Stour Valley Line and Jewellery Line and also has services to Birmingham International and Liverpool as well as a limited peak time only service to London.
The area is served by the 21, 49, 54, 54A, 80, 87, 89 and 881 bus routes.
Schools
Smethwick is home to numerous schools:
Abbey Junior and Infants
Annie Lennard Infant School
Bearwood Primary School
Cape Hill Primary School
Crocketts Primary School
Devonshire Primary School
Galton Valley Primary school
George Betts Primary School
Holly Lodge High School
Ruskin House
St Gregory's Roman Catholic Primary School
St Mathew's Church of England School
St Phillip's Catholic Primary
Sandwell Academy
Shireland Collegiate Academy
Shireland Hall Infant and Junior School
Uplands Manor Primary School
Victoria Park Primary School
Amenities
Smethwick is extremely well served for amenities. There are numerous pharmacies, a good selection of restaurants and eateries and a Large Asda and Aldi. It has two libraries, and the Smethwick Swimming Centre boasts two pools as well as a gym and sauna.
Things to do in and around Smethwick
Despite its industrial history, Smethwick has several green spaces within its boundaries and many more within easy reach. Victoria Park is just off the High Street and as well as open fields has an outdoor gym, sports pitches, children’s play areas, cycle paths and tennis courts.