West Midlands

Not to be confused with the much larger West Midlands region, the West Midlands county is made up of the metropolitan boroughs surrounding and including the City of Birmingham. Competing with Manchester and Edinburgh for the title of the UK’s second city, the prominence of Birmingham has turned the West Midlands into a vital and vibrant urban area with excellent schools, universities and fantastic transport links to the rest of the UK. To find out more about what the West Midlands has to offer, read on!

4.63
Average Location Score

Excellent

72%

Very Good

20%

Average

6%

Disappointing

1%

Very Poor

1%

Best places to live in West Midlands

HomeViews Top Rated Development ranking takes into account the Star Rating and HomeViews Transparency Rating of every development in the area

A canal in Birmingham, West Midlands

Where is the West Midlands

The term, ‘West Midlands’ can often be a little confusing, as it refers to both a metropolitan county and one of nine official regions of England. In this case, we’ll be talking about the metropolitan county, which is located in the western-central area of England, largely around the city of Birmingham.

What areas are in the West Midlands?

The West Midlands is made up of seven metropolitan boroughs, including Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and the cities of Birmingham, Coventry and Wolverhampton. It also includes the Meriden Gap, which is a section of the West Midlands Green Belt.

Birmingham

The second-largest city in the UK, with around 3.6 million people living in its metropolitan area, Birmingham is widely regarded as the second city in the United Kingdom because of its size and economic value.

Once a hub for manufacturing, Birmingham has evolved into an international commercial centre and convention centre. This vibrant and influential city boasts internationally renowned cultural institutions, a thriving art, music and food scene, and seven universities, making it the largest higher education centre in the country outside of London.

Coventry

The West Midlands’ second city, Coventry has built a reputation for being a centre of excellence for arts and culture and was the 2021 UK City of Culture. For business purposes, Coventry is the most centrally located city in England and boasts excellent transport links to the rest of the country. 

A centre of engineering innovation and manufacturing excellence, especially for the automotive industry, Coventry is the industrialized heart of the UK’s economy.

Meriden Gap

While the West Midlands is one of the most heavily populated and urbanised areas in the UK, the Meriden Gap, which separates Coventry from Solihull, is a greenbelt area that retains its rural character. 

An enticing stretch of green between heavily urban areas, the Meriden Gap offers all the picturesque beauty of the English countryside, within easy commuting distance of two of the most vibrant cities in the UK.

Anne Hathaway's cottage near Stratford upon Avon, West Midlands

West Midlands universities

The West Midlands offers an excellent choice of universities, split between the cities of Birmingham and Coventry.

Birmingham alone hosts seven out of the ten universities in the county, including Birmingham City University, Aston University, University of Birmingham, University College Birmingham and Newman University. 

It also has campuses for BPP University and the University of Law as well as the West Midlands regional base for the Open University, making it the largest centre for higher education in the UK outside of London.

Coventry hosts Coventry University and the prestigious University of Warwick, while the University of Wolverhampton is split between Telford and Walsall campuses in Wolverhampton.

Top schools in the West Midlands

The West Midlands has some of the best schools in the country, including:

King Edward VI School

The school where Shakespeare learned his trade, the King Edward VI School was voted West Midlands Independent School of the Decade by the Sunday Times and is ranked as the 12th best school in the UK.

King Edward School in Birmingham (KES)

Offering the international baccalaureate to its sixth form students, and with consistently excellent overall exam scores, KES Won the Sunday Times’ West Midlands Independent School of the Decade.

King Edward VI High School for Girls

The partner school of the equally well regarded King Edward VI High School for Boys, this school has won the West Midlands Independent Secondary School of the Year twice in the last three years.

Population of the West Midlands

The West Midlands is one of the most heavily populated areas in the UK. It is the third most populated area in the country, just behind Greater London and Greater Manchester, with 2,440,986 people currently living there.

The population of the West Midlands is largely centred around the areas of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, the Black Country and Solihull.

Reviews in West Midlands

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The best place to stay

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Property is situated very close to the centre. There are lots of bars/restaurants in close proximity. I have never had issues with noise or anti social behaviour. Bin collection is regular and the bin area is easy to access.

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Great management! Megan has been in charge of writing up my tenancy as I moved in mid-tenancy. Moving out and expenses are already stressful but Megan has always explained the process which helped me alot! Concierge receptionists and security are very nice too! very nice amenities and great community. the design is beautiful too! very easy to decorate your flat the way you want to, and you can even paint/customise your flat to your liking which is rare when renting!

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

There are a lot of events that are hosted, i did not know how easy it would be to make friends!

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Replied to me within 24 hours when i had a technical issue with the amount of rent that was due. Resolved very quickly!

4
Facilities
5
Design
4
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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lovely and beautiful

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Everything is great, the beautiful Cannon Hill Park, Aldi department store, post office and other local shops can meet all our needs.

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This building is beautifully designed and I enjoy being in its different parts. There is a very beautiful lobby and rooftop and courtyard.
The appearance of the building is very beautiful, the presence of a place to rent the necessary equipment, parking and security above the entrance doors is very reassuring

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

The existence of sports and social programs can be an added value for this complex, which is a great experience

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

They answer me very quickly and take action to solve the problem

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Feels like home

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

Sherborne Place is a really quiet and friendly development right in the centre of Birmingham. It’s super convenient for transport and also great for a walk on the canals.

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I cannot praise the management team enough – Ky, Zoe, and Charlotte are incredibly friendly and are always on hand to sort out any problems if they occur, or if I just fancy a chat. They really make the place like home! The facilities are getting better all the time and I am looking forward to the new yoga space. I have lived in other places in central Birmingham but this is by far my favourite for its friendly vibe.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

the heaters don’t work on the timer in our apartment

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

very quickly and always follow up to ensure it is fixed

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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Perfect Birmingham living!

Verified Resident
Verified Resident
Review Date Mar 2024

We’re in the heart of the city so everything from independent bars and restaurants to well known chains are a short walk away. In terms of culture there’s the Birmingham Art Gallery, the Hippodrome theatre as well as indie cinemas on the doorstep. It’s surprisingly quiet noise pollution wise and the canal locks adds to some of the views.

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The ‘perks’ are bang on; the gym is well equipped and the co working space is perfect for a change of scenery when WFH. I’ve booked the private dining area for Mother’s Day; a beautiful and fully equipped space for hosting family and friends. The FOH team are so friendly and happy to help where possible or sign post otherwise.

Please share one thing (or more) which you wish you had known before you moved in:

I honestly can’t think of anything bad! The online community notice board we have on the app is a great way to connect with neighbours and the events hosted by the FOH Team seem great fun…I need to get to one!

How has the building management responded to any problems or issues you have raised:

Quickly and with a solution. I’ve only had a couple of questions, but they’ve been great!

5
Facilities
5
Design
5
Location
5
Value
5
Management
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