Edgbaston is located to the southwest of the city centre, Edgbaston is a suburb of central Birmingham. Formerly part of Warwickshire, the area is home to the Edgbaston Cricket Ground and is regarded as one of the most affluent areas of Birmingham and the surrounding area. In the 2001 census, the population was 20,749.
The History of Edgbaston
The name Edgbaston comes from the Old English meaning village of a man called Ecgbald, and is listed in the 1086 Doomsday Book as Celboldistane. At the beginning of the 19th century, the population of Edgbaston was still only around 1,000. Over the next five decades the area grew tremendously quickly as a result of rich merchants and manufacturers moving in, and much of today’s infrastructure was constructed.
Transport Links
Edgbaston is served by two railway stations, University Station in the south and Five Ways Railway Station in the north, both on the Cross-City Line. The large arterial road the A38 runs through the area, up to the city centre in the northeast, and down to the M5 and M42 motorways to the southwest.
The 1, 9, 126, X8, X10, X21 and X22 bus routes serve the area and there are plans for the West Midlands Metro system to be expanded into the area.
Schools
Edgbaston is home to many schools including several independent prep schools:
Edgbaston High School for Girls
St Paul's School for Girls
St George's School
King Edward's School
King Edward VI Five Ways School
King Edward VI High School for Girls
Priory School
West House School
Birmingham Blue Coat School
Norfolk House School
Hallfield School
University of Birmingham
Queen's College
Amenities
There is a Co-op and Aldi supermarkets, and a good selection of pubs, eateries and restaurants, including the Michelin star restaurant, Simpsons. Edgbaston is home to a number of medical facilities including the University Medical Centre, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the Calthorpe Clinic.
Things to do in and around Edgbaston
There is always the cricket ground of course, which as well as being the home of Warwickshire and the Birmingham Bears, is also a test venue. The Edgbaston Priory Club is a private members tennis and squash club and there is also the Edgbaston Golf Club. There are many green spaces and parks in and around Edgbaston including the Birmingham Botanical Gardens.