1 week Ago By [email protected] (Zoe Chamberlain)
There's a town in Birmingham that's considered 'one of the leafiest places to live' in the UK - because more than half of its total land area is green. We're talking, of course, about Sutton Coldfield, which has been named as one of best places to live in the West Midlands by lifestyle website Muddy Stilettos in its 2024 annual guide. It sits up in the top spots with Harborne , Hampton-in-Arden, Edgbaston , Bournville, Moseley , Earlsdon and Dorridge.
The lifestyle mag loves Sutton Coldfield for its 2,000 acre park, family-friendly amenities and fantastic commuter links. It takes just 20 minutes to drive into the centre of Birmingham , 25 minutes by direct train or 35 minutes by bus. There's easy access to the motorway too, making it a great base for commuting further afield too.
Read more: Best places to live in the West Midlands including one that offers a 'slice of village life' Read next: Birmingham 'village' with 'very cosy' pub rated as one of the 'best places to live' There's plenty of places to shop, namely Gracechurch Centre in the middle of town, Princess Alice Retail Park and Mitchells for independent boutiques and cafes on cobbled walkways. There’s also a popular monthly farmers and craft market and an annual food fest. When it comes to the leafy side of Sutton, there's more than just Sutton Park with its two playgrounds, donkey sanctuary, pubs and cafes.
You can also explore Plantsbrook Nature Reserve (pictured above) and Kingsbury Water Park, which boasts 15 lakes over 600 acres. It even has its own children's farm and miniature railway. As you would expect in an area like this, there are plenty of golf courses.
"The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield is one of the leafiest places to live in the UK, with more than half of the town’s total land area being green – the other half is littered with Premiership footballers’ swanky cars!" said a spokesperson for Muddy Stilettos. "The town also has one of the largest urban parks in Europe (that’d be Sutton Park, with its 2,000 acres and wild deer herds), but it’s far from being out in the sticks – you’ve got all the amenities a girl could want, as well as fantastic commuter links and plenty for the family to do. "Sutton’s restaurant quarter and its nearby strip along Birmingham Road should be destination number one for foodies, as there’s a healthy number of buzzy indies such as Migas Tapas and Wine Bar and The Bracebridge in Sutton Park.
We love The Four Oaks just next to the park, with its gorgeous outdoor terrace, boho interiors and delicious menu, and for a special occasion check out the historic New Hall Hotel serving up modern British food." Sutton Coldfield is known for its schools. Boldmere Junior School, Little Sutton Primary School, Four Oaks Primary School and Moor Hall Primary School are all rated outstanding.
And for outstanding secondary schools, you can choose between Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School and The Arthur Terry School. There are more than 30 nurseries available too. Now for the crunch time.
If you're looking to move to Sutton Coldfield, you'll need some cash in your back pocket. The average house price, according to Muddy Stilettos, was £324,177 over the last year. A semi will cost you around £296,235 but if you want a detached, you’ll be shelling out an average of £601,148.
Better start saving now..
