Warwickshire &amp; West Midlands


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



<p>Next to green Bournville with its Quaker roots and prim and proper Edgbaston, sits Harborne. It&#8217;s a bit more of the cool sister, and while it might not be as pretty as its gentrified neighbours, its up and coming and there&#8217;s no shortage of things to do here – particularly if you&#8217;re a foodie. Some of Brum&#8217;s best restaurants sit in this neighbourhood, so, without further ado.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1008" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/10/HERO-33-e1759334036705.jpg" alt="A cake on a wrapper from Harborne Kitchen" class="wp-image-64656" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Harborne Kitchen</figcaption></figure>



<p>One of the things I love most about Harborne is how chilled it is. You wanna get dressed up for dinner? Do it. Wanna wear jeans and a baggy jumper, that&#8217;s ok. There&#8217;s no formalities here. Nope, not even at Michelin rated <a href="https://www.harbornekitchen.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harborne Kitchen</a>. It&#8217;s cool and contemporary with dishes changing regularly. This year also saw cosy, intimate Italian joint <a href="https://www.tropea.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tropea</a> awarded a Bib Gourmand in 2025&#8217;s Michelin Guide – a sure-fire mark of good quality, good value cooking. The previous year it was regional winner of The Good Food Guide’s ‘best local restaurant’. </p>



<p>Two minutes down the road is knockout pub <a href="https://theploughharborne.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Plough</a>. It&#8217;s got a rustic, laid back Mediterranean vibe and a lovely botanical outdoor seating area. The pizzas here are seriously good – huge, fluffy, doughy and just heaving with delicious toppings. </p>



<p>Fellow boozer <a href="https://www.thejunctionharborne.co.uk/#/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Junction</a> – at the junction of High Street and Vivian Road – is a beautiful Victorian pub to while away a few hours in, they do proper hearty Sunday roasts too. Another laid-back cafe on the high street is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/paulatno41/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paul&#8217;s at No1</a>. Feeling experimental? Check out <a href="https://estadodaindia.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Estado Da India</a>, a tasty mix of Portuguese and Indian dishes in a restaurant full of quirky decor and vibrant colours. Add Indian restaurant <a href="https://www.rajamonkey.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Raja Monkey</a>, and multi-award winning Thai restaurant <a href="https://www.sabaisabai.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sabai Sabai</a>, to your must-try list too. </p>



<p>We also love <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecourtyard.harborne/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Court Yard</a> which opened up in a converted woodworking workshop last Dec. As well as hosting a Run Club on a Sat, yoga and mum &amp; baby fitness classes they serve up Morridge oats and coffee by day; transforming into a taproom by night.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2025/10/bullring-5029352_1920-1-1000x750.jpg" alt="Selfridges, Birmingham" class="wp-image-64639" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Selfridges, Birmingham</figcaption></figure>



<p>There&#8217;s not tons of indie shops here but the ones they have are goodies. For women&#8217;s clothing check out <a href="https://www.instagram.com/Sophiebea15/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sophie Bea</a>. If you&#8217;re looking for interiors there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.kinhome.co" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">KIN Home</a> for Scandi style and <a href="https://www.oka.com/uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Oka</a> – both are in nearby Edgbaston. Pop around five minutes down the road into central Brum and you&#8217;re in shopping heaven with <a href="https://www.bullring.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Bullring</a> which is filled with high street finds &#8211; and what&#8217;s a spending spree without stopping at Selfridges? </p>



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



<p>There&#8217;s <a href="https://barefootbirmingham.com/harborne/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barefoot Yoga</a> and <a href="https://yogahart.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yoga Hart</a> and for pilates check out <a href="https://www.graftpilates.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Graft</a>. There&#8217;s a GP right on your doorstep at <a href="https://harbornemedical.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Harborne Medical Centre</a> along with a <a href="https://www.harbornephysio.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">physio</a>. Book in for a massage at the <a href="http://www.harbornespaandclinic.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Spa and Clinic</a> and for psychotherapy, day spa and holistic therapies there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.renaissancetherapy.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Renaissance</a>. </p>



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



<p>There&#8217;s a monthly <a href="https://harborne-village.com/harborne-market/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">market</a> brimming with local makers and creatives and an annual street <a href="https://heartresearch.org.uk/harborne-carnival/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">carnival</a> raising money for charity. There&#8217;s a <a href="https://www.circlecinema.co.uk/Content/Home.htm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">film club</a> with monthly screenings and regular litter picking groups if you fancy paying a bit back! </p>



<p>One of the city&#8217;s annual highlights is <a href="https://birminghamrestaurantfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birmingham Restaurant Festival</a>, 1 – 31 Aug 2026, where top restaurants offer great value menus at a snippet of the usual price. It showcases the diversity of the foodie scene across neighbourhoods, including local eateries The Plough, Sabai Sabai and Harborne Kitchen.</p>



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



<p>In Harborne there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20089/parks/404/woodgate_valley_country_park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woodgate Valley Country Park</a> – 250 acres of lush green grassland complete with riding stables and a community run farm. If you fancy really stretching your legs head to the nearby <a href="https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20089/parks/406/lickey_hills_country_park" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lickey Hills Country Park</a> which is around 20 minutes away and is perfect for dog walking, picnics and there&#8217;s a cafe onsite too. In neighbouring Edgbaston there&#8217;s <a href="https://www.winterbourne.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winterbourne House &amp; Gardens</a> – a beautiful Edwardian house and gardens to amble around. Also In Edgbaston (let&#8217;s not mention the cricket ground) are <a href="https://www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Birmingham Botanical Gardens</a> and <a href="https://www.cadburyworld.co.uk/en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cadbury World</a> in Bournville.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977.jpg" alt="Lapworth Museum of Geology" class="wp-image-50898" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2022/10/Untitled-design-977-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lapworth Museum of Geology</figcaption></figure>



<p>Check out <a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/lapworth-museum/index.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lapworth Museum of Geology</a> too – it&#8217;s a hidden gem and you can easily while away a few hours exploring – it even keeps the kids interested. And well worth a look (but maybe leave the kids at home) is the <a href="https://barber.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Barber Institute of Fine Arts </a>which is home to some really interesting exhibitions.</p>



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



<p>Properties had an average price of £323,753 over the last year. Most sales were terraced houses fetching an average price of £317,066; while semi-detached properties sold for an average of £342,546, with flats fetching £165,212.</p>



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



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-54.jpg" alt="Hot property in Harborne, a duplex" class="wp-image-57526" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-54.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-54-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/warks/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2024/07/Untitled-design-54-768x511.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This two-bed is part of a duplex property in a stunning mansion house. <a href="https://mchugohomes.co.uk/property/2-bed-for-sale-in-meadow-road-birmingham/589312#property-images" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">On the market for £450,000</a>.</p>



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



<p>Local Harborne day nurseries <a href="https://www.victorianursery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stonehouse</a>, <a href="https://www.victorianursery.com/">Victoria Nursery</a>, <a href="https://milamoos.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mila Moos Nursery</a> and <a href="https://www.tchnursery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Corner House Day Nursery</a> have been rated Good by Ofsted, while curiosity approach nursery <a href="https://www.thenestnursery.co.uk/copper-beach" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Nest</a> was ranked Outstanding. In nearby Edgbaston, <a href="https://www.norfolkhouseschool.co.uk/nhn28/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Norfolk House</a>, <a href="https://childbasepartnership.com/nursery/highfield-day-nursery/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highfield Day</a> and <a href="https://cheeky-monkeys-day-nursery.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cheeky Monkeys</a>.</p>



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



<p>There are several Ofsted Outstanding schools in and around Harborne including <a href="https://www.stgregoryscatholicprimaryschool.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Gregory&#8217;s Catholic Primary School</a>, <a href="https://drbignitemat.org/our-schools/princethorpe-infants-school/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Princethorpe Infant School</a>, and <a href="https://www.shirelandhallprimaryacademy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shireland Hall Primary Academy</a>; while <a href="http://www.chadvale.bham.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Chad Vale</a>, and <a href="http://www.st-petersce.bham.sch.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">St Peter&#8217;s CofE</a> are rated Good. Excellent independent options nearby include: <a href="https://www.hallfieldschool.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hallfield</a>, <a href="https://www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Edgbaston High School for Girls</a> and <a href="https://www.highclareschool.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Highclare</a>. </p>



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



<p><em>‘Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone</em>&#8216;, you may recognise these lines from Anglo-American poet WH Auden&#8217;s <em>Funeral Blues</em> (famously featured in <em>Four Weddings and a Funeral</em>) but did you know his childhood home was in Lordswood Road, Harborne? There is a blue plaque at Harborne swimming baths nearby. </p>



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



<p>The nearest station is east at University, with trains running every 10 mins or so to Grand Central Birmingham – a 7 min journey. Links from there are really good and it will soon also be serviced by high speed line HS2. If you&#8217;re driving, the Hagley Road takes you to Birmingham and the M5 in 10 mins. Birmingham airport is 30 mins aways.</p>



<p><em>View the full&nbsp;<a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/best-places-to-live/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Top 260 Best Places to Live</a></em>.&nbsp;</p>


Harborne

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