Districts of Smethwick

Smethwick is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, in the West Midlands of England.

Bearwood

The area is centred on Bearwood Road; one of Smethwick’s shopping areas, although this has diminished in recent years. Its home to Bearwood Bus Station located on the end of Bearwood Road and corner of Hagley Road. Next to which is Lightwoods Park, which is under management of Birmingham City Council. The lower part of Bearwood, heading towards Cape Hill, is Hadley Stadium. Warley Woods is located on the eastern side of Bearwood on Abbey Road; this is a large open space and scheduled protected public open space.

Black Patch and Soho

The area is centred on Black Patch Park and Soho Railway Junction, which is an imposing structure to the south. Soho is home to a Train Care Depot and the Soho Foundry, which was Mathew Boulton and James Watt’s famous factory (which is not in Birmingham) Most of the rest of the area is industrial with some housing.

Cape Hill, Victoria Park and Windmill Lane

It is centre around the road of the same name and includes the adjoining streets. This is Smethwick’s busiest shopping area and home to Asda and the Indoor Market. This is the former home of The Mitchells & Butler Brewery, which was demolished and replaced by housing. Most of the rest of the area is housing. Victoria Park is located at the High Street end. Windmill Lane Housing Estate is to the West of Cape Hill.

Victoria Park, Smethwick is the main formal and garden for the town of Smethwick and has gained Green Flag award. In 2010 the park as been the subject of considerable investment and regeneration including a new bandstand. A flag ship adidas outdoor gym kit along with additional gym stations has also been installed.

The park occupies 14 ha (around 34acres) and is situated just off Smethwick High Street next to the Council House the park provides a range of facilities including a play area and multi use games area. A flagship CCTV system and path lighting has been installed in January 2009. This provides a 24 hour monitoring system approved by the Victoria Park Smethwick Committee established in 2008

Galton Village

A large housing estate next to Smethwick Galton Bridge Railway Station and runs along the Olbury Road towards Oldbury and West Bromwich.

High Street Smethwick

Used to be Smethwick’s main shopping and commerce centre until Toll House Way was built, demolishing half of the High Street on the railway side. Its home to the Job Centre Plus, Royal Mail sorting office and Sikh Temple. Both Smethwick’s railway stations are located here, Rolfe St is located opposite the Holy Trinity Church and Galton Bridge is at the start of the Oldbury Road. Smethwick West was closed in 1995 and its located next to Galton Bridge Station. The Smethwick Council House is located at the Victoria Park end, not far from Smethwick Police Station and College.

Londonderry and West Smethwick

Area of mostly housing, running along Smethwick’s border with Oldbury. This area is home to West Smethwick Park, and a small shopping area located on Londonderry Lane. Manor Lane is has an allotment and another small park. The new housing opposite West Smethwick Park used to be occupied by a Neurological and former infections diseases hospital, a small grave yard for this can still be seen on Holly Lane.

Rabone Lane and Middlemore Industrial Park

An industrial area located just west of Black Patch and north of the High Street. The Smethwick Canal Heritage Centre is located on Brasshouse Lane, as is The Hawthorns Railway Station and West Bromwich Albion Football Club. Bridge Street, former home of the Smethwick Engine (now in the Think Tank, Birmingham) can be found off Rolfe Street past the railway station.

Uplands

The Uplands is a primarily residential area, centred on The Uplands (Road) and located between Bearwood and the High Street. The area around the Uplands proper and heading towards the High Street is made up of mainly terrace house built around 1900, with the Bearwood side being of more modern construction. Smethwick’s oldest buildings The Old Church and associated Old Chapel Public House are located at the Church Road end of the Uplands.

Other landmarks include; Smethwick Hall Park & Devonshire Primary School, The Akril Methodist Church, Harry Mitchell Leisure Centre & Park, the Dorothy Parks Centre and Smethwick Cricket Club. Uplands Manor School and the Cemetery are located a little to the north of the Old Church on Church Road. Besides the Old Chapel Pub, the area is home to the Holybush Public House and a number of social clubs. There are no shopping areas, but the area is within easy reach of Bearwood, the High St Smethwick, Cape Hill and regular bus services to Birmingham.