Birmingham, England's second biggest metropolis, is on a steep growth trajectory, and areas within the city are increasingly becoming attractive living destinations. Today, I delve into Great Barr, shedding light on its history, its compelling features, and engaging with locals to discover what makes it unique.
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00:00 Situated in the northern part of Birmingham, Great Bar appeared twice in the 2021 census
00:07 as having areas where the proportion of deprived households fell the most over the past decade.
00:13 This includes Old Osgot which saw a drop from 38.8% to 28.8%
00:19 and Perry Beaches West which saw the figure drop to 40.5% from 49.6%.
00:27 Great Bar proudly stands on a history dating back to at least 957 AD
00:32 where it was recorded as 'bare' in a charter meaning hilltop.
00:36 Historically, stately homes and farmlands dominated this district
00:40 with Great Bar Hall serving as a focal point of the local community.
00:44 The Red House located on Red House Park is a Grade II listed building
00:49 that holds historical significance dating back to 1841.
00:56 Great Bar also boasts several green spaces including Red House Park and Queslet Nature Reserve
01:02 offering rare opportunities to connect with nature within the city's borders.
01:06 These green spaces are beloved attractions for families and nature lovers
01:10 with Queslet Nature Reserve acting as a sanctuary for wildlife in the region.
01:15 Great Bar's convenience is key to its attractiveness with pivotal transport links.
01:22 It has direct conduits to major roads like the A35 and M6
01:26 that ensure seamless connectivity between Great Bar and the city centre
01:31 and has access to the Birmingham-Warsaw Railway line by Hampstead Railway Station.
01:36 Currently, the average property price in Great Bar sits at around £240,000 according to Rightmove
01:44 making it relatively affordable in comparison to other Birmingham areas.
01:51 So what do the locals think about residing here?
01:54 Great Bar's really nice. I've lived here for 25 years and it's got all the shops still, none of them have closed down.
02:05 Got a lot of parks that are really good. A lot of the pubs are really nice.
02:11 All the locals, there's a lot of community that meet in the bars and they've got a lot of bands in the pubs as well.
02:19 It's just nice and friendly and like I said, we've still got all the shops as you can see.
02:27 It's a nice area to live and it's great for kids to grow up as well because of the local parks.
02:34 Great Bar is an often overlooked part of Birmingham but with its green spices and historical landmarks
02:44 coupled with urban amenities, it's no wonder that it is an area attractive to so many.
02:49 All in all, Great Bar's community ethos, historical sites, parkland allure and modern conveniences
02:56 secure its spot as a magnetic district within Birmingham.
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