Hidden Opulence
A review of available Ramblers walks highlighted a short walk in Bournville. You can't help but notice two things - the colour purple and the chocolate smell. Both courtesy of Cadburys.
Bournville, a charming suburb of Birmingham, is famous for its idyllic setting, historical significance, and unique character, deeply tied to the Cadbury family and their chocolate legacy. Established in the late 19th century as a model village by George and Richard Cadbury, it was created to provide a high-quality living environment for the factory’s workers, focusing on health, community, and well-being. Its leafy streets, red-brick homes, Bournville Village Green, and abundant green spaces give it a distinct “village” atmosphere.
One of Bournville’s unique features is its lack of pubs. This alcohol-free tradition stems from the Cadbury family’s Quaker values, which emphasized temperance and social welfare. George Cadbury believed in creating a safe and wholesome environment for his workers, so restrictive covenants were put in place to prohibit the sale of alcohol in Bournville. As a result, this tradition has carried on, with Bournville remaining largely pub-free, although there are nearby options for residents.
An easy ramble, with a walk leader doubling as a tour guide, pointing out the items of architectural interest. There's lots to see.
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| The Factory - in corporate colours |
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| Cadbury Sports Ground |
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| Church of St Assisi |
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| The Bounville Carillon |
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| Selly Manor - 1300s and moved from Selly Oak to Bournville |
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| Inside the Bournville Yachting Club |
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| Workers Cottages on Mary Vale Road, all individually named |
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| The Serbian Church of the Holy Prince Lazar |
With Quakers famous for temperance and the nearby Stirchly Mile not getting going till 5pm, it a whisk back into the City Centre to see which institutions CAMRA have added to the latest guide.
I'm rather pleased Bacchus has made the cut. Previously, you could use "opulence" as an excuse to impress new visitors to the City. Now, we can add beer quality. Along with London Prices.
Mid Week quietness an ideal time to admire the art works from the comfort of world class Chesterfields.
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| How's this for a bar? |
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| How's this for a chair? |
Walk Details
Distance - 3.75 Miles
Geocaches - 2 x Adventure Lab Caches
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