Parks and green spaces

Kings Heath has some great parks, open spaces and canals to enjoy. The Stratford-on-Avon Canal is to the south of Kings Heath.

 

Kings Heath Park

Kings Heath Park is situated on Vicarage Road in Kings Heath next to King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools. A short walk away from the Kings Heath High Street.

 

Highbury Park

The estate was once home to Joseph Chamberlain and his family. The park opened to the public in 1930, and is between Moseley and Kings Heath.

 

Brandwood Tunnel

Between Kings Heath and Kings Norton is the Brandwood Tunnel. The canal tunnel in Brandwood End, South Birmingham, was built between 1793 and 1796 from the East Portal, while the West Portal was built from 1793 to 1794. The northern section of the Stratford-on-Avon Canal opened from Kings Norton Junction in 1802. From Kings Heath, you can get on the canal towpath from Alcester Road South, and walk towards the tunnel. You cannot walk through it, but there is towpaths up to road level in Brandwood End, but it's not signposted, so you will have to check Google Maps to find the other side.

 

Public Squares

There is only really one public square in Kings Heath and that is Kings Heath Village Square, between High Street and the Vicarage Road.

 

Kings Heath Village Square

Kings Heath Village Square was developed out of the churchyard of All Saints Church in Kings Heath and was opened in October 2011. Close to the junction of Vicarage Road and High Street in Kings Heath. There is a Farmers Market about once a month in the square on the first Saturday of the month.

 

Faith

The main church in Kings Heath is that of All Saints, near the High Street and Vicarage Road. Today it forms part of Kings Heath Village Square, along with the All Saints Centre. There are other centres of religion of all faiths around Kings Heath.

 

All Saints Church

The parish church of Kings Heath was built as an Anglican church, starting in 1859-60. A spire was added in 1866. The north aisle added in 1883 and the west end was enlarged in 1899. It is a Grade II listed building. Kings Heath Village Square opened outside of the church in 2011, in what was the churchyard of All Saints.

 

 

Public Houses

There is the Hare & Hounds as well as The Station, The Old Court (formerly The Goose), the Red Lion (Vicarage Road) and The Crown (Alcester Road South). The Pub at Kings Heath is the newest pub in the area.

 

Hare & Hounds

The Hare & Hounds if a Grade II listed building at the corner of York Road and High Street in Kings Heath, dating to 1907. UB40 first gigged here in February 1979. One of Birmingham's music venues.

 

Leisure

If you head down Alcester Road South, there is Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre & Golf Course. On the High Street is Kings Heath Library, Art Rooms Kings Heath and Outdoor at the Kingsway.

 

Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre & Golf Course

The golf course opened back in 1926. It is attached to a leisure centre (with architecture dating to the 1970s or 1980s). Now run by My Time Active on behalf of Birmingham City Council.

 

Art Rooms Kings Heath

There was two venues on the Kings Heath High Street for Art Rooms Kings Heath, but their original home is closing, due to site redevelopment, so they will now be based at Art Rooms Kings Heath #2.

 

Kings Heath Library

Kings Heath Library was built in 1905 for the then King's Norton & Northfield Urban District Council. Funds were provided by Andrew Carnegie. The library became part of Birmingham from 1911. The building was extended later in the 20th century.

 

Outdoor at the Kingsway

The Kingsway was a cinema that was opened in Kings Heath in 1925. The Kingsway remained a cinema until it closed in 1980. It was then converted into a bingo hall. A use it had until it closed for good in 2007. By 2011 a severe fire, later resulted in the demolition of the rear of the building, saving only the façade in 2018. In 2020, Outdoor at the Kingsway opened, using the land at the rear for an open air market and outside cinema.

 

Education

The main schools in the area is King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools. There is also various primary schools in the area.

 

King Edward VI Camp Hill Schools

King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys was founded at Camp Hill in 1883. This was followed by King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls. The boys school moved to a site on Vicarage Road in Kings Heath in 1956, followed by the girls school in 1958. The building at Camp Hill survives to this day as the Bordesley Centre (top of Stratford Road near Camp Hill Circus).

 

Transport

National Express West Midlands runs most of the main bus routes through Kings Heath, including the 11A, 11C, 27, 35, 50 and the 76. Other operators such as Diamond also run the 50. In the future, there will be two new railway stations on the Camp Hill Line. Kings Heath Station will be near Highbury Park (and the High Street), while Hazelwell Station will be near Pineapple Road and Cartland Road.