Sparkbrook is located a little over two miles southeast of the city centre, Sparkbrook is an inner-city area of Birmingham. It is part of the Hall Green district along with Moseley, Kings Heath and Springfield, and is in the Sparkbrook & Balsall Heath East Ward. In the 2011 census, the population for the ward was 25,211.
The History of Sparkbrook
There are records of a Sparke family living in the area of what is modern-day Sparkbrook in the Middle Ages, but it is not known if they were named after the stream that ran through the area or the other way round. The area was almost entirely rural until the mid to late 1800’s, when the overflowing population from Birmingham caused development to spread outwards from the city centre, and by 1906 Sparkbrook was entirely enclosed.
Transport Links
Sparkbrook does not have its own train station, the nearest one being Small Heath which has frequent trains running direct into Birmingham Moor Street. The area is at the crossroads of two large arterial roads, the A34 (Stratford Road) and the A41 (Highgate Road).
The following bus routes serve Sparkbrook, 2, 3, 4, 4A, 5, 6, 8A, 8C, 34, 50 and X50.
Schools
Sparkbrook has a number of schools in the area including:
Christ Church CE Primary School
Clifton Primary School
Conway Primary School
Ladypool Primary School
Montgomery Primary Academy
Nelson Mandela School
Amenities
There are a number of pharmacies in the area, as well as the Sparkbrook Community Health Centre. There are a lot of restaurants in Sparkbrook, as you would expect of an area that forms part of the famous Balti Triangle. The area has several independent grocery stores as well as an Aldi.
Things to do in and around Sparkbrook
In Sparkbrook itself there are a couple of small green spaces, but the very tranquil Small Heath Park is only a short distance to the east. Likewise Birmingham city centre is a short drive or bus journey away with its abundance of attractions and diversions.