Kings Norton, Birmingham England

District profile

St. Nicolas at 'The Green' the historical centre of Kings Norton. The St. Nicolas's tower dominates the local skyline as you can see on the next photo. The parish of Kings Norton (originally in Worcestershire) has 40,000 people, (25,000 in the Ward) and lies 6-7 miles on the south side of the city of Birmingham.

St. Nicolas's tower dominates the local skyline. This view is from the estate to the south of the district This view is from the estate to the south of the district. The area is described by the council as 'A suburban ward consisting of mainly post-war local authority housing but still over one third in owner occupation. It has a predominantly white indigenous population, with a slightly younger age profile than that of the city as a whole and one and a half times the City average proportion of lone parents. Overall the level of deprivation is similar to or below the City as a whole'.

At the base of Speedwell tower, near the centre of one of the three estates on the south side of the district of Kings Norton.
Kings Norton is an area of contrast, as smart as some districts are, others are now notorious council estates. This latter part of Kings Norton was once a desirable place to move to from the run down inner city pre war terraced houses of the last century. Kings Norton is now a an uncomfortable mix in it's variety.

Kings Norton's rich history

Kings Norton's rich history The parish of Kings Norton (originally in Worcestershire) has a rich history. It derives its name from it's position north of Bromsgrove with which it was connected for probably 1000 years until 1846.

Saxon Kings Norton has been described as "In the middle of a clearing surrounded by a wooden stockade where stood a village, a group of rude detached huts". Kings Norton today stills retains some of its Saxon features, the village still compact, and the houses on the Green stand upon the site of the primitive Saxon dwellings.

The Church of England now own the Saracens Head which was originally the bailiff's office and then for many years the village Pub. The local landmark, the Parish Church, with its impressive spire has been enlarged at various periods of history since its Norman beginnings.

By 1616 Kings Norton had become a wealthy place since King James I had given permission for a market to be held there. It grew and developed in its own right and spurned a grammar school in the 17th Century still standing adjacent to the main church building.

It is also recorded that a battle took place costing 70 men their lives as forces of Cavaliers, lead by Prince Rupert, and Roundheads clashed at Kings Norton.

Kings Norton also has several canals running through it as well as district railways. In 1769 a broad canal was built between Birmingham and Wolverhampton. This Birmingham and Worcester Canal, which opened in 1799, proved a great success and although it's use has changed it is still a key feature in Kings Norton today.

The rapid increase in size of the district came in the widespread house building projects of the 1930's and 1960's transforming the landscape. These were originally green field sites on the southern border of the parish, much of it once Cadbury's owned land.

The council describe the area as 'A suburban ward consisting of mainly post-war local authority housing but still over one third in owner occupation. It has a predominantly white indigenous population, with a slightly younger age profile than that of the city as a whole and an average proportion of lone parents. Overall the level of deprivation is similar to or below the City as a whole'.