September, 2022
Solihull is a great location for many people and that is why it was voted best place to live in the UK in 2013. Yes I might be holding on to the past a little here but having lived in many places across the UK, Australia and the United States of America, I still choose Solihull to live and to raise my family.
Here are my reasons why I feel Solihull is the best place to live:
Solihull is a town in the country
The town is dotted with historic architecture including timber-framed Tudor houses and shops and nearly three-quarters of the borough is defined as Green Belt. Solihull has a busy town centre which is surrounded by picturesque countryside.
Schools including Tudor Grange Academy, Arden Academy and independent schools such as Solihull School and St Martin’s Girls consistently achieving above average in progress and attainment 8 measures. Many schools are oversubscribed with waiting lists.
If bagging a bargain or a designer treat is your thing then Solihull is the place to go.
With John Lewis, House of Fraser, Mell Square and Touchwood all in the town centre, there’s no excuse to not find what you are looking for.
Solihull is home to The National Motorcycle Museum which houses the largest collection of British motorcycles in the world with over 1,000 machines from 171 different manufacturers.
The second most expensive in the West Midlands is Old Warwick Road, Solihull, with an average house price of £2,113,000.
The fifth most expensive road in the West Midlands is Rising Lane, Solihull, with an average house price of £1,759,000.
Solihull has over 1,500 acres of parks – 10 of which are Green Flag Award parks -and open spaces.
Take a trip to Brueton Park, on the edge of the town centre and visit the Parkridge Centre with its 5.5 acre nature area or why not stroll through Olton Jubilee Park with its basketball area, BMX Track and playground.
The name Solihull is said to have from the position of the parish church, St Alphege, on a ‘soily’ hill.
St Alphege itself dates from around 1560 as does the independent Solihull School.
Hobs Moat is an ancient, moated site and a scheduled Ancient Monument which was the subject of a great deal of excavation in the 1980s.
Known to most of us as the National Exhibition Centre, the Genting Arena has hosted performances by singers, dancers and comedians from around the world.
This complex, near to the Genting Arena, hosts a selection of some of the finest bars, restaurants and retail outlets.
Solihull has always been great for eating and drinking out.
There are a huge selection of bars and restaurants ranging from contemporary cafes, traditional country pubs and fine dining restaurants
Whether you fancy Indian, Thai, Chinese, traditional pub grub or something a little different – there is something for everyone.
With Solihull’s ideal motorway links and professional business links, the borough has always been the ideal location to set up a hotel.
Solihull hosts some of the finest award-winning hotels in the country.
This is a jewel in the crown for Solihull. It might be called Birmingham Airport but Solihull has always been proud to have this facility in the heart of the local area.
Thousands upon thousands of people pass through the doors of Birmingham Airport each year, whether it be for business purposes or people taking a holiday.
Solihull is not short of its famous faces.
Successful business entrepreneur and Apprentice star Karren Brady lives in Solihull. Her children attend school here and she can often be seen enjoying the delights of Touchwood.
Former Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond is another familiar face. He was also from the borough and often makes references to his heritage.
Comedian Jasper Carrott lives in Lapworth and newsreader Michael Buerk attended Solihull School and regularly visits the school.
