West Bromwich Local Information: 10 top things to know... more

  • 1. History

    West Bromwich sits in the borough of Sandwell, which was created in 1974 from six towns: Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich. The name Sandwell comes from Sandwell Priory, which was founded in the 1100s. The ruins of the priory can be seen in Sandwell Valley Country Park, on the edge of West Bromwich. The borough is in an area north and west ...Read moreof Birmingham known as the Black Country. This name comes from its coalfields and heavy industry. Read less

  • 2. Now

    Major developments have been taking place in West Bromwich in recent years. This has included a huge shopping centre the size of 10 football pitches. There are also plans for a new hotel, cinema and police station. Shopping in the town centre has been given a facelift and a major new office development has been built. West Bromwich Albion Football Club plays a major role in th...Read moree town and has regular fixtures at its ground The Hawthornes. Read less

  • 3. Events

    Annual events in West Bromwich include the huge St George’s Day Parade in March. Thousands of people join a procession through the town for this celebration. Sandwell Council’s annual bonfire and fireworks display takes place in West Bromwich’s Dartmouth Park in November. The fireworks are set to music in this popular event. The Sandwell Community Show takes place in th...Read moree showground behind Dartmouth Park in the town. The event is held on the August Bank Holiday weekend and includes rides, live performances and more. Sandwell Arts Festival runs for two weeks in July and is a celebration of dance, music, visual arts, literature and performance. Read less

  • 4. Attractions

    Oak House, in West Bromwich is a large and timber framed Yeoman's house dating back to the 16th century, with brick extensions from the mid 17th century. The building is free to visit although there is a small charge for tours. The Manor House Museum is a medieval moated manor house built in the 1270s. It is open for tours in the summer and is in the process of being restored ...Read moreand turned into a heritage attraction. Forge Mill Farm, West Bromwich, sits within the Sandwell Valley Country Park. It is a working dairy farm where visitors can watch the cows being milked. There is also a children's play area, picnic tables and an indoor vending area. Sandwell Park Farm is a restored Victorian farm containing a traditional farmyard, walled kitchen gardens, Grade II listed buildings, a museum and tea rooms. Read less

  • 5. Things To Do

    Sandwell Valley Country Park is a popular place for walking, cycling, birdwatching, sports and other outdoor activities. Swan Pool offers opportunities for watersports and angling. The Public is a creative, community, cultural and business space in the heart of the town. Visitors can use the space to relax in or to enjoy a variety of exhibitions and events taking place. There...Read more are many parks and open spaces to choose from in the town, including Dartmouth Park, Marl Hole Park, Kenrick Park, Jesson Playing Field and King George Playing Field. Read less

  • 6. Business

    The High Street Market in West Bromwich is open Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and the New Market Hall is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The main shopping centres in the town are the Astle Outlet Park, The Kings Square Shopping Centre and Queens Square Shopping Centre.

  • 7. Transport

    By road, West Bromwich has excellent access to the M5 and M6 motorways. The A41 is another main road leading into the town. The Midland Metro light rail system provides easy transport from West Bromwich to Birmingham, Wolverhampton and other local towns. The town’s mainline rail station is in Bromford Lane, and also has good services to the rest of the region. The nearest a...Read moreirport is Birmingham, which is about 12 miles from the town centre. Read less

  • 8. Entertainment

    The Public is the main venue for live entertainment. Events include comedy, theatre, art exhibitions, film screenings, music, dance and more.

  • 9. Famous Landmarks

    Among the historical landmarks in West Bromwich are the 16th century building of Oak House, the medieval moated Manor House Museum and the remains of Sandwell Priory in Sandwell Country Park. West Bromwich Albion FC’s ground, The Hawthornes, was the first Football League ground to be built in the 20th Century and was opened on September 3, 1900. Many changes have been made t...Read moreo the ground over the years, the most recent being the £7.5 million East Stand, which was added in 2001. Read less

  • 10. Interesting Fact

    One of West Bromwich’s most famous sons is Frank Skinner, who was born in the town in 1957 as Christopher Graham Collins. He is a passionate supporter of West Bromwich Albion.

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West Bromwich Events

  • BBC Summer Good Food Show

    This annual event takes place at the NEC for five days in June and sees celebrity chefs sharing their seasonal recipe ideas in the Summer Kitchen. There are 250 stalls at the show, displaying all the latest kitchen gadgets and must-have ingredients. The live cookery dem

  • Gay Pride Festival

    Birmingham Gay Village is set in the Hurst Street area of the city and hosts the Pride Festival in May every year. The fantastic Pride Parade is one of the highlights of the event, with floats and elaborate costumes making their way through the city’s streets. The Cab

  • 01 March 2013 - 31 March 2013

    St George’s Day Parade

    The annual St George’s Day parade in West Bromwich is the largest in the region. More than 20,000 people crowd onto the streets to join the event every March. Members of the public drape themselves in England flags to take part in the lively 1.8-mile procession, whi

  • 18 May 2013 - 01 April 2020

    Premier Inn

    Housed within an attractive redbrick building, the Redditch West Premier Inn is conveniently located close to some excellent local attractions. Guests enjoy first class service, comfy rooms and great pub food in an onsite Brewers Fayre restaurant. Award-winning Premier

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  • Mourners can download music at modern chapel

    Music downloading facilities and a TV hook-up are all part of new services at a state-of-the-art crematorium. The new £3.25million building Sandwell Valley Crematorium, in West Bromwich, has been officially opened by Sandwell Mayor Cllr Joyce Underhill with the...

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  • Badgers will not be upset

    Two setts of badgers are being protected so work can go ahead on a new leisure centre without disturbing the animals. The badgers have been found living on scrubland next to the building site of a £15m leisure centre in...

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  • Colin keeps on fundraising

    Dedicated fundraiser Colin Hunter is travelling all over the world to raise money for a hospice. Colin, 50, of West Bromwich, is committed to raising money for the Acorn Children’s Hospice in Malvern after his daughter Sam was cared for there before she...

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  • Road system wins national award

    A road system to reduce congestion in Sandwell has won a national award. The red route scheme, entitled The Route 87 Pilot Smart Route Scheme, won the Congestion Reduction Scheme of the Year Award in the Highways Magazine Excellence Awards. The...

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