Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why">WHY</h2>



<p>This rural village has a close-knit community with just around 6,000 residents, but the best things come in small packages. It&#8217;s got fantastic links to London and Birmingham, some gorgeous parks and walks and plenty of great eateries. There&#8217;s a real family vibe and some impressive state schools while independent offerings aren&#8217;t too far either. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-eat">EAT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-119-1000x667.jpg" alt="Hampton Manor view through Crittall doors to the garden" class="wp-image-57969" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-119-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-119-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-119-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-119.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Hampton Manor</figcaption></figure>



<p>Pub life aplenty around these parts. First up is 16th century gastropub <a href="https://www.saracensheadbalsallcommon.com/?utm_source=gbp&amp;utm_medium=Yext&amp;y_source=1_MjMyMjYxNTYtNzE1LWxvY2F0aW9uLndlYnNpdGU%3D">Ye Olde Saracen&#8217;s Head</a>, there&#8217;s also popular eatery <a href="https://thewhitehorseatbc.co.uk">The White Horse</a> and <a href="http://www.themaltshovelatbarston.com/">The Malt Shovel</a> at Barston, with it&#8217;s gorgeous outdoor seating area. For special occasion dining, book up Smoke or Michelin-starred Grace &amp; Savour at nearby <a href="https://hamptonmanor.com">Hampton Manor</a>. You&#8217;re also not far from <a href="https://www.thelakeatbarston.co.uk/restaurant-bar/">The Lake at Barston</a>, with views over the 21 acre lake, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thebarnatberryfields.co.uk/the-restaurant">The Barn at Berryfields</a>,&nbsp;offering farm-to-table produce inside its glass-fronted Barn Restaurant. Minutes down the road is gastropub&nbsp;<a href="https://www.strawberrybank.co.uk/">The Strawberry Bank</a>&nbsp;with gorgeous views over the countryside, or a short drive away is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.resortsworldbirmingham.co.uk/eat-drink/sky-by-the-water">Sky by the Water</a>&nbsp;for nibbles and cocktails while looking over the Birmingham skyline. Embrace your roomiest pants, it&#8217;s foodie paradise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-shop">SHOP</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1438" height="1440" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023.jpg" alt="Rail of knitwear at luxury clothing boutique Katherine Draisey in Balsall Common" class="wp-image-58197" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023.jpg 1438w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023-768x769.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/our-ethos-aug-2023-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1438px) 100vw, 1438px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Luxury fashion boutique <a href="https://katherinedraisey.com/">Katherine Draisey</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>To stock up the kitchen you&#8217;re going to want to head to family-run <a href="http://oakesfarmshop.co.uk">Oakes</a>, with its own café, deli, farm shop and butchery. You&#8217;re also not far from the wonderful bakery at Hampton Manor, and the farm shop at The Barn at Berryfields. In the village there&#8217;s everything you need from a butchers to a convenience store, but for a bit more of a blow out then you&#8217;re going to want to venture to nearby Resorts World where you’ll find a choice of high street clothing shops including Next and The North Face. Solihull is also close with cool indie homestore&nbsp;<a href="https://www.livs.co.uk/">Liv’s</a>, luxury clothing boutique&nbsp;<a href="https://katherinedraisey.com/">Katherine Draisey</a>&nbsp;and local artist’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hortonfineart.co.uk/">Paul Horton Fine Art</a>&nbsp;Gallery.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-health-amp-wellbeing">HEALTH &amp; WELLBEING</h2>



<p>There&#8217;s a GP and for chiropractic treatments, massages and reiki check out <a href="https://www.cnwb.co.uk">Chiropractic and Natural Wellbeing</a>. Psychotherapy is available at <a href="https://channellingenergies.com/anxiety-therapy/">Channelling Energies</a> and there&#8217;s the bougie micro-gym and studio at <a href="https://www.thebasementstudio.net">The Basement Studio</a> for yoga and working out. It&#8217;s also home to Muddy Award-winning beauty studio <a href="https://www.klinikbeauty.co.uk">Klinik</a>, so you&#8217;re in safe hands here. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community">COMMUNITY</h2>



<p>Think an annual charity firework display, picnic in the park and <a href="https://www.lilymaefoundation.org/event-details/balsall-common-fun-run-2024">fun run</a>. There&#8217;s a weekly country market, popular <a href="https://www.harveyhawkinscomedy.co.uk/balsall-common-comedy-club/">comedy club</a> or if keeping fit is more the name of the game there&#8217;s running and tennis clubs. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nearby-nbsp-attractions">NEARBY&nbsp;ATTRACTIONS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-158.jpg" alt="Manicured gardens of National Trust’s Baddesley Clinton, West Midlands" class="wp-image-58116" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-158.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-158-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-158-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-158-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton">Baddesley Clinton</a> ©&nbsp;National Trust Images/John Millar</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s the recently-opened Green Flag space <a href="https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Parks-and-open-spaces/Lavender-Hall-Park">Lavender Hall Park</a> which is lovely for walks. Also good for a stroll is National Trust’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/baddesley-clinton">Baddesley Clinton</a>, set in the breathtaking Forest of Arden, and&nbsp;much-restored Tudor house, park and gardens&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/packwood-house">Packwood House</a>&nbsp;are both less than 10 miles away. For more outdoorsy action head to the lush greenery of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coombeabbey.com/">Coombe Abbey</a>&nbsp;which is also home to&nbsp;<a href="https://goape.co.uk/locations/coventry">Go Ape</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Knowle-Donkey-Sanctuary-61558671816813/">Knowle Donkey Sanctuary</a> is always a hit with the kids. Next door to Resorts World you’ll find&nbsp;<a href="https://www.beargryllsadventure.com/">Bear Grylls Adventure</a>&nbsp;with its 65ft high rope course, archery and interactive skydiving.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-culture">CULTURE</h2>



<p>Just up the road is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bppulselive.co.uk">BP Pulse Live Arena</a>&nbsp;with its plethora of shows and events, think big names like Peter Kay, Lizzo and Madness who have all performed there this year. Brum isn’t far away with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/">The Rep</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://bmusic.co.uk/whats-on">Symphony Hall</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.birminghamhippodrome.com/">Birmingham Hippodrome</a>, which often has performances by Muddy favourites&nbsp;<a href="https://www.brb.org.uk/">Birmingham Royal Ballet</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-average-house-prices">AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES</h2>



<p>Average £411,327 with most sales detached properties, selling for an average price of £591,674. Semi-detached homes sold for an average of £373,525, with flats fetching £134,150.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hot-property">HOT PROPERTY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-165-1000x667.jpg" alt="House for sale Balsall Common
" class="wp-image-58142" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-165-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-165-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-165-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/09/Untitled-design-165.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This 3-bed family home within walking distance of the town centre, train station and schools. <a href="https://www.atkinsonstilgoe.co.uk/properties/18625394/sales/BAL103989" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £450,000</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-nurseries">NURSERIES</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.balsallcommonprimary.co.uk">Balsall Common Primary</a> has early years provision and was rated Outstanding by Ofsted, as did <a href="https://pathwaysnursery.co.uk">Pathways Day Nursery</a> and <a href="https://beatlewoods.co.uk">Beatle Woods</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-schools">SCHOOLS</h2>



<p>Secondary School&nbsp;<a href="https://heart-england.co.uk">Heart of England</a> was rated &#8216;Good&#8217; by Oftsed while <a href="http://www.arden.solihull.sch.uk/">Arden Academy</a> was&nbsp;rated ‘Outstanding’. Most primary schools also received top marks from inspectors, including&nbsp;<a href="https://www.berkswellschool.org.uk/">Berkswell Church of England</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.georgefenthamschool.co.uk/">George Fentham Endowed School.&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.balsallcommonprimary.co.uk">Balsall Common Primary</a> was rated outstanding. For independent schools in the vicinity check out <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/kings-high-warwick-2/">Kings High</a>, <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/the-kingsley-school-leamington-spa-3/">Kingsley</a>, <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/warwick-senior-school-warwickshire/">Warwick School</a>, <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/review-rugby-school-rugby/">Rugby School</a> and <a href="https://warks.muddystilettos.co.uk/kids/school-reviews/bilton-grange-prep-school-rugby/">Bilton Grange</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-nbsp-kept-nbsp-secret">BEST&nbsp;KEPT&nbsp;SECRET</h2>



<p>Fancy a stroll? The Heart of England Way, a 100-mile walking route between the Cotswolds and Cannock Chase, runs right through the village, so don&#8217;t be surprised if you see some very tired-looking ramblers.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-commute">COMMUTE</h2>



<p>London bound? You can jump on at Hampton-in-Arden train station or Birmingham International. If you’re driving it’s about 2.5 hrs.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/">Top 300 Best Places to Live</a></em>.</p>


Balsall Common

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