Selly Park is predominantly a residential suburb, situated approximately 4 miles to the southwest of Birmingham city centre. It has a higher-than-average proportion of young adult residents due to it being popular with students. In the 2011 census, Selly Park, along with Bournbrook had a population of 19,636.
The History of Selly Park
The area gets its name from the parkland that surrounded Selly Hall, some which still exists today in and around the Selly Convent. Development of the area began around the 1850’s on the land to the west of what is now the A441. A covenant restricted the amount and type of development (a covenant that still is still in place today) and is responsible for the distinctive look of the area with its spacious plots and tree-lined avenues. On the east side of the A441 the area is characterised by good quality Victorian terracing, with some of the larger houses subsequently being converted into hotels and offices.
Transport Links
The nearest train station is Selly Oak on the Cross-City Line, with direct trains to Birmingham New Street and Redditch. The A441 runs north to south through the area, giving easy access to the centre of Birmingham itself, as well as the south and the M42.
Selly Park is served by the 27, 45, 47, and 76 bus routes.
Schools
Though there are several schools nearby, Selly Park also has three schools of its own:
Selly Park Girls' School
St Edwards Primary School
Raddlebarn Primary School
Amenities
The area has a number of pharmacies as well as St Andrew’s Healthcare Centre. There are several grocery stores a very short distance away in Selly Oak, as well as a large Sainsburys and Aldi. There are a number of restaurants, eateries and pubs in the area, and again, many more a short distance away.
Things to do in and around Selly Park
The centre of Birmingham is very easily and quickly accessed from the area, but within Selly Park itself there is Elmdon Road Cricket club and ground, Selly Park and Muntz Park.