Edgbaston

2025-10-23T23:05:08Z

94.15.237.99: /* Sport */

{{Short description|Area in the city of Birmingham, England}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox UK place
| official_name = Edgbaston
| country = England
| region = West Midlands
| population = 42,295
| population_ref = ([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021 census]])
| os_grid_reference = SP055845
| map_type = West Midlands
| post_town = BIRMINGHAM
| postcode_area = B
| postcode_district = B15, B16, B5
| dial_code = 0121
| constituency_westminster = [[Birmingham Edgbaston (UK Parliament constituency)|Birmingham Edgbaston]]
| metropolitan_borough = [[Birmingham]]
| shire_county = [[Warwickshire]]
| metropolitan_county = [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
| coordinates = {{coord|52.4580|-1.9190|display=inline,title}}
| static_image = Edgbaston001.JPG
| static_image_caption =
}}'''Edgbaston''' ({{IPAc-en|'|E|dZ|b|@|s|t|@|n}}) is a suburb of [[Birmingham]], [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]], England. It lies immediately south-west of [[Birmingham city centre]], and was historically in [[Warwickshire]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Tom Dyckhoff |date=12 March 2011 |title=Let's move to Edgbaston, Birmingham |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/mar/12/lets-move-to-edgbaston-birmingham |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802084114/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2011/mar/12/lets-move-to-edgbaston-birmingham |archive-date=2 August 2017 |access-date=9 July 2017 |website=The Guardian}}</ref> The [[Ward (electoral subdivision)|wards]] of Edgbaston and North Edgbaston had a combined population of 42,295 at the 2021 census.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=2021 Census profile for wards in Birmingham {{!}} Birmingham City Council |url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/downloads/file/26347/2021_census_profile_for_wards_in_birmingham |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Birmingham City Council |language=en}}</ref>

Edgbaston is the location of [[Edgbaston Cricket Ground]], the [[University of Birmingham]], [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens, England|Birmingham Botanical Gardens]], the [[Midlands Arts Centre]] and the [[Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society]], the oldest [[Tennis|lawn tennis]] club in the world.

==Etymology==
Edgbaston means "village of a man called Ecgbald", from the [[Old English language|Old English]] personal name + ''tun'' "farm". The personal name'' Ecgbald'' means "bold sword" (literally "bold edge"). The name was recorded as a village known as ''Celboldistane'' in the [[Hundred (county division)|Hundred]] of [[Hemlingford (hundred)|Coleshill]] in the 1086 Domesday Book<ref>{{cite web |url=http://opendomesday.org/place/SP0584/edgbaston/ |title=Edgbaston | Domesday Book |access-date=2015-07-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021213248/http://opendomesday.org/place/SP0584/edgbaston/ |archive-date=21 October 2016}} Open Domesday Map: Edgbaston</ref> until at least 1139, wrongly suggesting that [[Old English language|Old English]] ''stān'' "stone, rock" is the final element of the name.{{Citation needed|date=June 2009}}

== History ==
In the 19th century, the area was under the control of the [[Gough-Calthorpe family]] and the Gillott family, who refused to allow [[factory|factories]] or [[warehouse]]s to be built in Edgbaston, making it attractive for the wealthier residents of the city. It then came to be known as "where the trees begin". One of these private houses is grade one listed and open to the public.<ref name="historichouses.org">{{Cite web |title=21 Yateley Road |url=https://www.historichouses.org/house/21-yateley-road/tours/ |website=www.historichouses.org/house/21-yateley-road/tours/|date=16 March 2025 }}</ref>

==Demography==

[[File:Lines family sketchbook - Disc1 041 - Moseley Park + Edgbaston (bottom).jpg|thumb|Cattle graze in Edgbaston in 1830]]

In 1801, Edgbaston had a population of around 1,000 people. By 1841, this had increased to 16,500 as a result of wealthy manufacturers moving to the area. By 1850, 29 roads had been laid out and uninterrupted growth continued.<ref>{{cite book| last=Davidoff |first=Leonore |author2=Catherine Hall |title=Family Fortunes: Men and Women of the English Middle Class, 1780–1850 |pages=369 |publisher=Routledge |year=2002 |isbn=0-415-21064-X}}</ref>

The [[United Kingdom Census 2001]] found that 20,749 people were living in the Birmingham City Council ward of Edgbaston, in 8,666 households. This produced an average of 2.4 people per household, slightly below the citywide average of 2.5. The ward, which has an area of 871.6 [[hectare|ha]], had a population density of 23.8 people per hectare. Like the city of Birmingham, Edgbaston had a slightly higher proportion of females, at 50.1%, to males. 27.1% of the population was in the 25–44 age bracket and 15.1% were aged between 45 and 59. At 14.8%, Edgbaston had a lower proportion of people of a pensionable age than the rest of Birmingham (16.7%). It also had a lower proportion of people of working age at 73.8%, although it was above the national percentage of 61.5%.<ref name=demo>{{cite web|url=http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/Media?MEDIA_ID=157293 |title=2001 Population Census in Birmingham: Ward Profiles |publisher=Birmingham City Council |year=2001 |access-date=2008-03-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080312065841/http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/Media?MEDIA_ID=157293 |archive-date=12 March 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Edgbaston has a slightly above average percentage for ethnic minorities with ethnic minorities representing 31.8% of the population as opposed to 29.6% for Birmingham. The largest ethnic minority group was the [[British Asian]] group at 16.1%. 25.6% of people were born outside of the United Kingdom, above the Birmingham figure of 16.5%. [[Christianity]] was the predominant religion, with 52.5% of the population stating that they were Christians, compared with 59.1% for Birmingham. 8.0% stated that they were [[Islam|Muslims]], below the Birmingham figure of 14.3%. Edgbaston was home to a significant [[Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Jewish]] community. 19.1% of the Edgbaston population stated that they had no religion.<ref name=demo/>

46.4% of households were owner-occupied, below the Birmingham figure of 60.4%. 19.3% were rented privately, 15.2% were rented from a [[housing association]] and 11.6% were rented from Birmingham City Council. There was a total number of 9,191 houses in Edgbaston, 525 of which were vacant. At 45.6%, the largest proportion of houses in Edgbaston were purpose-built blocks of flats. This is much higher than the city average of 17.9%. Detached houses were the second most common housing type in the ward at 19.7%.<ref name=demo/>

Edgbaston had an unemployment rate of 8.1%, below the city average of 9.5% although above the national average of 5%. 13.4% of the population stated themselves as students. Of the unemployed, 42% were in long term unemployment and 15.6% had never worked. At 24.6%, the majority of the population worked in finance, real estate, and business activities.<ref name=demo/> The largest employer in the area was the Heart of Birmingham Primary Care Trust, employing 10,000 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghameconomy.org.uk/download/profiles/wards/wardedg.pdf |title=Edgbaston |publisher=Birmingham Economy |date=February 2007 |access-date=2008-03-28 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The Edgbaston Parliamentary Constituency has a much higher population.

[[File:BirminghamEdgbastonConstituency.png|thumb|Edgbaston constituency shown within [[Birmingham]]]]

== Governance ==
Edgbaston forms two wards within the metropolitan district of Birmingham, [[Edgbaston (ward)|Edgbaston]] and North Edgbaston, which each elects two councillors to Birmingham City Council. The [[Birmingham Edgbaston (UK Parliament constituency)|parliamentary constituency of Edgbaston]] comprises the two wards and the wards of [[Bartley Green]], [[Harborne]] and [[Quinton, Birmingham|Quinton]]. Edgbaston is also a [[Government of Birmingham, England#Districts|'council constituency']], managed by its own [[district committee]].

In 1911 the [[civil parish]] had a population of 26,398.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10308082/cube/TOT_POP|title=Population statistics Edgbaston CP/Ch through time|publisher=[[A Vision of Britain through Time]]|accessdate=1 October 2024}}</ref> On 1 April 1912 the parish was abolished and merged with Birmingham.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10308082|title=Relationships and changes Edgbaston CP/Ch through time|publisher=A Vision of Britain through Time|accessdate=1 October 2024}}</ref>

==Sport==
[[Warwickshire County Cricket Club]] is based at the 25,000 capacity [[Edgbaston Cricket Ground]], the area historically being part of [[Warwickshire]]. As well as hosting regular county matches, the ground plays host to the [[England cricket team]] during one day internationals and test matches.

The area also has a world class [[tennis]] venue, the [[Edgbaston Priory Club]]. The [[DFS Classic]] for female players has been held there every year since 1982 and some of the world's top players participate. The tournament is part of the [[WTA Tour]] and wins count towards world rankings. The oldest lawn tennis club in the world, the [[Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society]], founded in 1860 is nearby.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ealts.net/|title=The Archery - Edgbaston Archery and Lawn Tennis Society, Edgbaston, Birmingham|website=www.ealts.net|access-date=30 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911184702/http://ealts.net/|archive-date=11 September 2017}}</ref>

There is also a members-only [[golf]] course, which offers views over the southern part of the suburb. Edgbaston Croquet Club has been located in the area since 1915.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edgbastoncroquetclub.org.uk/ |title=Edgbaston Croquet Club |publisher=Edgbaston Croquet Club |access-date=2008-03-28 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517072806/http://www.edgbastoncroquetclub.org.uk/ |archive-date=17 May 2008}}</ref>

==Places of interest==
The [[Church of England]] parish churches are [[St Augustine's Church, Edgbaston|St Augustine's Church]], [[Church of SS Mary and Ambrose, Edgbaston|SS Mary and Ambrose]], [[St Germain's Church, Edgbaston|St Germain's Church]], [[St. George's Church, Edgbaston|St. George's Church]] and [[St. Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston|St. Bartholomew's Church]], also known as Edgbaston Old Church.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.edgbastonoldchurch.org.uk/hist.html |title=Edgbaston Old Church - the Parish Church of St Bartholomew, Edgbaston, Birmingham |access-date=2009-06-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708033416/http://www.edgbastonoldchurch.org.uk/hist.html |archive-date=8 July 2009}} St. Bartholomew's Church, Edgbaston: History</ref> [[Birmingham Central Synagogue]] built in 1961 is also in Edgbaston. The [[Roman Catholic]] church of the [[Birmingham Oratory]], on Hagley Road, was built in 1907 in the [[Baroque]] style as a memorial to [[John Henry Newman]], who founded the English [[Oratory (worship)|Oratory]] here. Its dome is a prominent landmark.

The writer and academic [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] lived in Edgbaston during his teenage years, and the two towers of Edgbaston, [[Perrott's Folly]] and the [[Edgbaston Waterworks|Waterworks Tower]], both close to the Oratory, are said to have provided inspiration for ''[[The Two Towers]]'', part of his ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' trilogy. The [[Barber Institute of Fine Arts]], which is located on the [[University of Birmingham]] campus, is a purpose-built gallery which contains a wide range of art from the [[Old Master]]s to [[Picasso]].

[[Edgbaston Reservoir]], formerly known as Rotton Park Reservoir, provides a header supply for the [[Birmingham Canal Navigations]] and is an important inner city leisure amenity. There are three public gardens located within Edgbaston; the [[Birmingham Botanical Gardens (United Kingdom)|Birmingham Botanical Gardens]] and the lesser known University of Birmingham [[Winterbourne Botanic Garden]] and [[Martineau Gardens]]. Adjoining the university gardens is [[Edgbaston Pool]] (not to be confused with the reservoir) which is a [[Site of Special Scientific Interest]]. [[Deer's Leap Wood]] is a [[Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation]] in the former [[Mitchells & Butlers (brewery)]] land in the north part of Edgbaston. Edgbaston contains the only [[listed building|Grade I listed domestic building]] in Birmingham, an [[Arts and Crafts movement|Arts & Crafts]] house at [[21 Yateley Road, Edgbaston|21 Yateley Road]], designed by [[Herbert Tudor Buckland]], and built for his own use.<ref name="historichouses.org"/> [[Edgbaston Hall]], a [[Grade II listed building|Grade II listed]] country hall, is located within the ward. It is currently the clubhouse for Edgbaston Golf Club.

The [[BBC]] opened its [[Pebble Mill Studios]] at Pebble Mill in 1971, which were in use for 33 years until their closure in October 2004 and demolition the following year. The site is now the location of the new [[Birmingham Dental Hospital]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghamroundabout.co.uk/2009/bbc-pebble-mill/|title=Birmingham Roundabout - BBC Pebble Mill – Edgbaston|website=www.birminghamroundabout.co.uk|access-date=30 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325120736/http://www.birminghamroundabout.co.uk/2009/bbc-pebble-mill/|archive-date=25 March 2016}}</ref>

==Politics==
[[Birmingham Edgbaston (UK Parliament constituency)|Birmingham Edgbaston]] is a [[United Kingdom constituencies|constituency]], and its [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) is [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]'s [[Preet Kaur Gill]].

The suburb is split into two wards ([[Edgbaston ward]] and [[Edgbaston North ward]]) on [[Birmingham City Council]]. There are two councillors in each. Edgbaston is represented by two Conservative councillors and North Edgbaston is represented by two Labour councillors. Of the other wards of the Edgbaston constituency, [[Bartley Green]] is represented by two Conservative councillors, [[Harborne]] by two Labour councillors, and [[Quinton, Birmingham|Quinton]] by two Labour councillors.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20097/elections_and_voting/2558/local_election_results | title=Local election results }}</ref>

The constituency has sent a female member to Parliament for the past 68 years. Previous MPs included [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Neville Chamberlain]], who was born in Edgbaston.

==Education==
[[File:BirminghamUniversityChancellorsCourt.jpg|thumb|right|Chancellor's Court, [[University of Birmingham]]]]
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Edgbaston has been home to [[Edgbaston High School|Edgbaston High School for Girls]], [[St Paul's School for Girls (Birmingham)|St Paul's School for Girls]], [[St George's School, Birmingham|St George's School]], [[King Edward's School, Birmingham|King Edward's School]], [[King Edward VI Five Ways School]], [[King Edward VI High School for Girls]] and [[Priory School (Birmingham)|Priory School]].

Two universities have campuses in Edgbaston, the [[University of Birmingham]] and [[Birmingham City University]]; there are numerous university halls of residence in the area. The [[Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower]], one of Birmingham's tallest buildings, can be found at the centre of the University of Birmingham.

In addition, the area is also home to a number of independent preparatory schools namely, West House School, Norfolk House School and Hallfield School, along with primary intakes at Edgbaston High School for Girls, Priory School and St Georges School.

Edgbaston is also the home of [[Queen's College, Edgbaston|Queen's College]], an ecumenical [[seminary|theological college]]. [[West House School]], independent primary schools [[Birmingham Blue Coat School]] and Hallfield School [ St Swithun's School ] are also located in the area. The [[Elmhurst School for Dance]], the oldest vocational dance school in the United Kingdom, relocated to a new building in Edgbaston in 2004. St Philip's Grammar School used to be located adjacent to the Oratory. However, it became a sixth form college in 1976 and then merged with South Birmingham College in 1995.

==Transport and amenities==
Two railway stations serve the area. The first, [[University railway station (England)|University station]], is found in south Edgbaston, west of University of Birmingham. The second is [[Five Ways railway station]] in the north of the ward on the city's [[A4540 road|Middle Ring Road]]. Both stations are on the [[Cross-City Line]]. Between these two stations used to be another, [[Somerset Road railway station|Somerset Road station]]; however, this was closed and demolished in 1930.

The [[A38 road|A38]] Bristol Road runs through the ward and is one of the main traffic arteries of the city reaching out to the south-west of the city and beyond from the city centre and [[New Street, Birmingham|New Street]]. Buses frequently stop along this route. There are several other bus routes throughout. The [[Worcester & Birmingham Canal]] passes through the area, connecting the city centre with the [[River Severn]] at [[Worcester, England|Worcester]]. This was constructed and opened in the 1790s and is now used mainly for leisure and recreational purposes as opposed to its original industrial usage.

The [[A456 road|A456]] Hagley Road runs through the north of Edgbaston and gives a relatively swift link with the city centre as well as further away places including [[Halesowen]], [[Kidderminster]] and [[Hereford]].

The nearest public libraries to the area are in Harborne, [[Selly Oak]] and [[Balsall Heath]], whilst the [[University of Birmingham]] main library (which members of the public can join for a fee) is in the area. There are a number of medical facilities in the area, with some of the most well known being the University Medical Centre and the [[Calthorpe Clinic]]. A large hospital, the [[Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham|Queen Elizabeth Hospital]], is located within the area, with the former [[Selly Oak Hospital]] site nearby.

[[Edgbaston Village tram stop]] opened as the terminus of the [[West Midlands Metro]] in July 2022.<ref>[https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/new-west-midlands-metro-trams-24500197 New West Midlands Metro trams route from Library to Edgbaston set to begin this weekend] ''[[Birmingham Mail]]'' 15 July 2022</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220716104757/https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/birmingham/2022/07/15/metro-extension-to-edgbaston-to-open/ Metro extension to Edgbaston to open this Sunday] ''[[Express & Star]]'' 15 July 2022</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20220716105121/https://westmidlandsmetro.com/west-midlands-metro-extension-to-edgbaston-opens-on-sunday/ West Midlands Metro extension to Edgbaston opens this Sunday] [[West Midlands Metro]] 16 July 2022</ref>

==Notable residents==
Here is a list of notable residents, many of whom have had [[blue plaque]]s erected on their former houses by The [[Birmingham Civic Society]]:

* [[Annette Badland]], actress.
* Sir [[Gilbert Barling]], surgeon, lived at Blythe Court, Norfolk Road and moved to 6 Manor Road after the death of his wife.
* [[Francis Rosslyn Courtenay Bruce|Rosslyn Bruce]], priest and naturalist, lived at 4 Manor Road between 1912 and 1923.
* [[Herbert Tudor Buckland]]. [[Arts and Crafts]] architect, lived at 21 Yateley Road; it is open to the public.
* [[Kate Bunce]] a famous Pre-Raphaelite painter 1856–1927.
* Sir [[Austen Chamberlain]], Foreign Secretary and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, lived at 83 Harborne Road.
* [[Neville Chamberlain]], British Prime Minister, was born in a house called Southborne, in Edgbaston, and later became the area's MP.
* [[Oscar Deutsch]], founder of Odeon cinemas, lived at 8 Rotton Park Road.
* [[George Harry DeVall]], architect, lived at 152 Rotton Park Road 1901-1934.
* [[Charles Geach]] MP, founder of the [[Midland Bank]], lived in Wheeleys Hill (now Wheeleys Road).<ref name=Edwards>{{cite book|last1=Edwards|first1=E.|title=Personal recollections of Birmingham and Birmingham men|date=1887|publisher=Midland Educational Trading Company Limited|location=Birmingham|url=https://archive.org/stream/personalrecollec00edwa/personalrecollec00edwa_djvu.txt|access-date=18 August 2015}}</ref>
* [[William Haywood (architect)|William Haywood]], architect, lived at 245 Bristol Road (house now demolished).
* [[Rowland Hill (postal reformer)|Sir Rowland Hill]], the postal reformer, lived at 146 Hagley Road (house now demolished).
* Sir [[John Jaffray (journalist)|John Jaffray]], founder of the ''Birmingham Daily Post'' and ''Birmingham Mail'', lived at 249 Bristol Road.
* Major [[Arthur Keen (aviator)|Arthur Keen]] (1895–1918), World War I [[flying ace]], awarded [[Military Cross]], lived in Edgbaston until his military service.
* [[Celia Levetus]] (1874–1936), illustrator.
* Sir [[Oliver Lodge]], physicist, lived at Westbourne Road (house now demolished).
* [[Pink Floyd]] drummer [[Nick Mason]] was born in Edgbaston.
* [[Tony Miles]], England's first [[chess grandmaster]], was born in Edgbaston.
* [[Constance Naden]], poet and philosopher, lived most of her life at Pakenham House, Edgbaston.
* [[Mary Neal]] social worker, suffragette and collector of folk dances, was born in Edgbaston.
* Cardinal [[John Henry Newman]] lived at the [[Birmingham Oratory]], Hagley Road.
* [[Eugene W. Oates]], ornithologist.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z1ZGAQAAMAAJ&q=Eugene+William+Oates+death&pg=PA118|title=Nature|first=Sir Norman|last=Lockyer|date=30 April 2018|publisher=Macmillan Journals Limited}}</ref>
* [[Catherine Osler]], suffragette, lived at 'Fairfield' on the corner of Hagley Road & Norfolk Road.
* [[John Henry Poynting]], physicist, lived at 11 St Augustine's Road.
* [[Bertha Ryland]] (1882-1977), militant suffragette.
* [[Joseph Henry Shorthouse]], Victorian novelist, lived at 60 Wellington Road, Edgbaston.
* Field Marshal [[William Slim, 1st Viscount Slim]] lived in Poplar Avenue.
* [[Joseph Sturge]], abolitionist, lived at Wheeleys Road (house now demolished).
* [[J. R. R. Tolkien]] lived here for a period during his younger life, living for a time in Stirling Road, with [[Perrott's Folly]] and the [[Edgbaston Waterworks]] supposedly providing him with the inspiration behind ''[[The Two Towers]]''.
* [[Julie Walters]], actress, was born at the former St Chad's Hospital.
* Dr [[William Withering]], physician, lived at [[Edgbaston Hall]].
* [[John Wyndham]], the science fiction author, was brought up here and lived at 239 Hagley Road (now demolished) until 1911 when his parents divorced.
* [[Francis Brett Young]], novelist, lived at 105 Harborne Road.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*[[Terry Slater (geographer)|Terry Slater]], 2002, ''Edgbaston Past'', Chichester: Phillimore.

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/edgbaston Birmingham City Council: Edgbaston Constituency]
* [http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/edgbastonward Birmingham City Council: Edgbaston Ward]
* [http://www.calthorpe.co.uk Calthorpe Estates]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070110154212/http://www.edgbastonmill.co.uk/ Edgbaston Mill]
* {{OpenDomesday|SP0584|edgbaston}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120907034058/http://www.birmingham-uk.co.uk/ae_Edgbaston_Birmingham.shtml Profile: Edgbaston]

{{West Midlands County}}
{{Wards of Birmingham}}
{{Areas of Birmingham}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Edgbaston| ]]
[[Category:Areas of Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Conservation areas in England]]
[[Category:Former civil parishes in the West Midlands (county)]]

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