Washwood Heath is a suburb of Birmingham located approximately two miles to the northeast of the city centre. Based within the district of Hodge Hill, the ward of Washwood Heath had a population of 32,921 in the 2011 census.
The History of Washwood Heath
Little is known about the history of Washwood Heath, the reason for that most likely being that very little happened there until relatively recently. The little we do know includes that the area was enclosed in 1817, three quarters of a century after the Enclosure Act, and that in 1802, a public hanging in the area attracted as many as 100,000 people. It is not known who met with this grisly end.
It was not until the early 1900’s that the area became developed, with industry moving in, bringing with it housing and infrastructure. The largest employer in the area was the Electric & Ordnance Accessories Company Ltd which built their factory between Common Lane and Drews Lane in 1914. The former LDV factory is now used for the maintenance depot for the HS2 line.
Transport Links
Washwood Heath does not have its own train station, the nearest ones being at Stechford and Adderley Park. The A4040 runs through the area north to south, while the A47 is on its upper boundary and goes from east to west.
The area is served by the 94, 94A and 95 bus routes.
Schools
Schools in the immediate area include:
Cloverlea Annexe
Washwood Heath Academy
Ward End Primary School
Amenities
There are a good number of chemists in the area, and there is a large Tescos towards Hodgehill, where there is also the Fox & Goose Shopping Centre. There is a library (Ward End Library), and a good selection of restaurants and eateries. The area has two different allotments, the Lime Tree Road Ward End Gardeners Allotments, and the Northleigh Road Allotments.
Things to do in and around Washwood Heath
Ward End Park is a delightfully tranquil green space and has a boating lake. There is also the Bromford Lane Open Space and Adderley Park. The Birmingham Wheels Park with its various karting, banger racing and racetracks is a short distance away, as of course is Birmingham city centre.