Solihull Area Guide

The town of Solihull is recognised as being one of the most affluent and highly sought-after areas located within the more southern parts of the West Midlands conurbation and is situated some 9 miles from the heart of the city of Birmingham. The original town is largely urban, while the rest of the modern borough is largely rural with the exception of a few other urban market towns and villages, with three quarters of the borough designated green belt. The town has roots dating back to the 1st century BC, and was further formally established during the Anglo Saxon and Norman eras of British history. Today the town is famed as, amongst other things, the home of the Land Rover car marque, and the British equestrian eventing team.

Highlights and attractions

Attractions

• Akamba Heritage Centre
• Balsall Common Mill
• Bear Grylls Adventure
• Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens
• Escape Hunt
• Heronfield Farm
• Jaguar Experience
• Knot Garden at Knowle Library
• Knowle Locks
• Knowle Park
• Land Rover Experience
• National Exhibition Centre
• Planet Ice
• Solihull Moors FC
• The National Motorcycle Museum

Arts and Culture

• Commonwealth Graves at Knowle Church
• Core Theatre and Gallery
• Eaton Fine Art
• Indigo Art Gallery
• Knowle Library
• The Dovehouse Theatre

Shopping

Solihull has a range of shopping centres across the borough, each with their own unique charm and offering. Whether you are looking for high street names in Touchwood or independent boutiques in Shirley and Knowle, there is something for everyone.

• Chelmsley Wood Shopping Centre
• Mell Square
• Resorts World
• Touchwood

Transport

Solihull is located at the heart of the UK’s transport network – making Solihull easily accessible by range of travel modes.

Rail: Solihull is connected to two mainline routes via Birmingham International and Solihull Station, connecting to Birmingham and London.

Car: At the heart of the motorway network, Solihull is connected to junctions 4, 5 & 6 of the M42, connecting to the M40 and M6.

Plane: Solihull is home to Birmingham International Airport, the third largest airport outside of London, connecting to 490 destinations worldwide.

Bus: Network West Midlands has all the online timetables and fare information you need with easy ticket buying and route planning.

Charging Stations: There are a number of vehicle charging points around the Solihull area.

Food and drinks

Food and drink production and hospitality also make up part of the local Solihull economy. Earlswood in the Solihull borough is home to Fowlers, established since 1670, it is the oldest cheese-making business in England. The company still makes all its cheese by hand.

In Catherine de Barnes is the Silhill Brewery. The former home of retail bakers, Three Cooks was based in Solihull, and after it was brought out of administration in 2006, the new company Cooks the Bakery retains its HQ in Solihull. The pub company Enterprise Inns is also headquartered in Solihull. The Grenade Protein Bar company, valued at £200m in 2021, is based in Solihull, having been started by a couple from Solihull in 2010.

There are a number of restaurants and eateries in Solihull, including the Michelin starred Peel's Restaurant.

Schools

• Tudor Grange
• Arden Academies
• Solihull School