Sandwell

Sandwell metropolitan borough including Bearwood, Blackheath, Cradley Heath, Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Tividale, Wednesbury, West Bromwich.

An introduction to Sandwell

Bearwood is a neighborhood of the town of Smethwick and part of the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, lying on the border of Sandwell and Birmingham (England) in the West Midlands County. Bearwood is primarily a shopping and residence area, historically one of its greatest claims to fame is that it was the home of the famous Birmingham & Midland Motor Omnibus Company or Midland Red - The site of which is now a supermarket and vehicle par.

Tipton is a small town in the West Midlands (county)|West Midlands conurbation. It is a mainly industrial and residential area with a Museum and a limestone caves, as well as a canal al-tours/ tours and nearby entertainments in the Castle Gate park.

Travel to Sandwell

By car

From Birmingham Downtown, Bearwood can be visited by travelling down the Hagley Road (A456), one of the main arterial roads in Birmingham. It can also be reached by travelling through Winson Green, past the City Hospital, down City Road (A457).

Or

By motorway, get off at Junction 2 of the M5 and head down the Wolverhampton Road (A4123) towards Birmingham. Turn left at the McDonalds, Amber Tavern Public House and The Chiquitos Junction onto the Hagley Road (A456). Another option you may also take M5 Junction 3 onto the Quinton Expressway / Hagley Road (A456) and once again past the above mentioned restaurants.

Travel on a Bus in Sandwell

Bearwood is served by a number of National Express West Midlands (Former West Midlands Travel) bus services, most of which call at Bearwood Bus Station, just off the Hagley Road next to the Kings Head Public House. Bearwood can be visited by most buses running down the Hagley Road, from Birmingham Downtown, also there is a service via City Road & Cape Hill (Number 82). As well as the bus station, some services take an alternative route via Three Shires Oak Road and call outside the Bear Tavern Public House. Services that start from Birmingham go on to Wolverhampton, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Blackheath & Merry Hill taking various alternating routes.

Other buses not connecting Bearwood to Birmingham Downtown include the 444, 447, 448 and 450, all tracing various routes that terminate in West Bromwich and the 11 Clockwise and Anticlockwise services, known as 'the Outer Circle' which link the suburbs of Birmingham together, including Harborne, Selly Oak, Bourneville, Kings Heath, Hall Green, Perry Barr and Handsworth. Choice travel also run a limited service from Bearwood Bus Station to Weoley Castle, via Selly Oak and the King Charles III Hospital.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Sandwell

A regular train service provides connections to Tipton station GPS 52.53,-2.066, but you may have to switch at Birmingham New Street.

There is no train station in Bearwood. The nearest stations are Smethwick Rolfe Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge and The Hawthorns, which are all about a mile and a half away near Smethwick High Street. Most of the West Bromwich-bound bus services pass one of the stations; Smethwick Galton Bridge has the most intense service and also serves certain destination in the North West. There is a limited service to London via High Wycombe from Galton Bridge and The Hawthorns. Birmingham New Street is only around 3–4 miles away and has services to destinations all over the nation.

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Sandwell

The nearest airport is Birmingham Airport (IATA Code: BHX), just over miles 10 away.

How to get around in Sandwell

GPS 52.505278|-2.017222 Tipton train station is on a commuter service which travels mostly between Birmingham New Street and Wolverhampton, usually every half an hour during weekdays. Buses are also frequent with most of them going to the main bus station in Dudley (England)|Dudley, where connections to all areas of the West Midlands can be found.

What to see in Sandwell

• Lightwoods Park - Bearwood 52.4711, -1.9731 - Mightwoods Park Lightwoods House 01 Park in Bearwood that can be visited from the woods by crossing Lightwoods Hill. A fairly average park with a bandstand and a playground built over 15 years ago by Anneka Rice and her television program. It also houses an old stately home, Lightwoods House (not open to the public) along with 'Shakespeare's Garden', a walled Victorian garden that has seen better days.

• Coronation Gardens Tipton 52.5277, -2.0706 - you will find a statue to William Perry, a 19th-century Bare-fist boxing champion, often known as the "Tipton Slasher".

• RSPB Sandwell Valley | 20 Tanhouse Ave, Great Barr, B43 5AG 52.5259, -1.9719 Train to Hamstead; No 16 bus; or signposted from local roads ☎ +44 121 357-7395 | Opening Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9AM Monday - 5PM, Saturday Sunday 10AM Monday - 5PM (closes at dusk in winter) free entrance RSPB,birds,ornithology Tame Sandwell Forge Mill.JPG Sandwell Valley RSPB reserve A bird reserve on the border with Sandwell which organises regular guided walks, talks and family activities. - }}

Tipton has a large horse population. Most of the horses are privately owned and many can be seen grazing in the public spaces. They are ridden with a small two person chariot along the roads so be mindful when driving.

Best things to do in Sandwell

• Silvershine Jazz Club - Bearwood Corks Club | 558 Bearwood Road, Bearwood On the junction of Sherwood Road ☎ +44 121 429 4352 | Opening Hours: Every Thursday from 21:00 (doors open 20:30) generally £5 / £4 concessions, though some gigs vary Andy Hamilton, MBE was a Jamaican-born British jazz saxophonist and composer, and the "leading light" of the Midlands' jazz scene for decades. Though Andy passed away in 2012, his band, The Blue Notes, are still the resident artists, and the jazz club continues to celebrate Hamilton's legacy and invite a variety of artists to perform every week.

• Warley Woods - Go for a walk | entrances on Barclay Road, Lightwoods Hill and Abbey Road, Bearwood - Originally the private grounds of Warley Abbey, a stately home owned by the Galton Gunmaking family, Warley woods is now a public park, with a golf course and a small cafe. The annual picnic in the park takes place every July featuring live music.

Tipton has a network of canals, steeped in industrial history, that provide excellent walking and cycling routes.

• Tipton Sports Academy - Wednesbury Oak Road, Tipton 52.545572, -2.051536 ☎ +44 300 012 0121 - provides facilities for many sports including track sports, football, tennis, squash and others, all open to the public at affordable rates.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Sandwell

The majority of shops in Bearwood are situated on the high street and to a lesser extent on Three Shires Oak/Abbey Road. There is no large supermarket in Bearwood and the largest in close proximity being Asda in Cape Hill. However and there is an Aldi, Cooperative & Iceland on the high street. There are also a number of independents including three or four butchers, three florists and 2 greengrocers.

On Bearwood high street there are a few clothes shops, including a mature ladies fashion store, a discount store, a younger women's fashion store and a 'Peacocks'. There is also an independent shoe shop, Blunts. Three charity shops also take their place on the high street, three banks/building societies. There are a two dispensing chemists, and a non-dispensing drug store on the high street, a dentist and opticians. There is even a thriving building supplies shop on Three Shires Oak Road. Despite this very healthy selection of stores, both The high street and other streets seem dominated by takeaway premises.

By far the biggest off-licence in Bearwood is 'Global Wines' opposite the Abbey Pub, with a massive choice of Beers, Wines and Spirits it is a contender for best off-licence in Birmingham. Other off licences include 'Park Cellars' on the junction of Park Road and Upper Saint Mary's Road.

There is also the quite famous 'Drink Stop' on Bearwood high street, which is managed by Tony who has been a well known face on the High Street for the last 30 years. The shop is renowned locally and regionally for stocking a wide variety of unique products. The Drink Stop has been designed by Lapworth Architects the multi award winning Birmingham Architects and recently won Design Retailer of the year 2011.

The main supermarkets in Tipton are The Cooperative near the train station and an Asda and Farmfoods in Princes End.

Halal Restaurants in Sandwell

Restaurants

• Teknaf Cuisine | 622 Bearwood Road, Bearwood Hagley Road end of the High Street ☎ +44 121 420 4499 - £10-20 One of the better balti houses in Bearwood, with a more modern take on Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine

• Franzl's - Austrian Cuisine | Milcote Road, Bearwood £20-30An Austrian Restaurant, nestled on a residential street in Bearwood. Expensive but well regarded

• The Kings Head - Gastro Pub | Hagley Road, Bearwood ☎ +44 121 277-4130 - £20-30 Previously the legendary drug superstore 'Quantum', was closed for a while and has been extensively refurbished to become an upmarket pub serving restaurant style food. Good food but there can be long waits.

• The Haweli Hagley Road, Bearwood opposite The Kings Head widely regarded for its Peshawari cuisine. Allegedly, Sir Mark Tully ex India correspondent for the Al Jazeera is a fan of its food

Takeaways

Bearwood High street is littered with a ridiculous amount of takeaway joints, most are not interesting of a mention.

Neelams Kebab House is excellent.Food is nice genuine and tasty. Karachi Kebab House opposite the Bear Tavern isn't too bad either but not apatch on neelams. It is open literally all the time.

There is a great Chinese takeaway opposite Martins Tandoori and next to the Abbey in Tipton. It is called Oriental Delight and is definitely one of the best in the surrounding area. For Traditional Fish and chips, 'The Abbey Fish Bar' is probably your best option (opposite the Abbey). 'Lightwoods Fish Bar' sells interestingly coloured orange chips for the more adventurous traveller!

Tipton, especially around Owen Street, has several takeaways and restaurants serving either traditional Fish & Chips, Baltis, Curries and Pizzas. There are also several pubs that serve high quality food.

Make sure you try KVE Pork Scratchings, available in most local shops and pubs - they're a local delicacy.

• Mad O'Roukes Pie Factory - 50 Hurst Lane, Tipton 52.529639, -2.076692 ☎ +44 121 557 1402 - a theme pub which serves a range of hearty pies and ales. "Almost en-suite" rooms are available

• The Dog | Hagley Road, Bearwood On the junction of Galton Road by Lightwoods Park - Per Pint £2.50-3.10 One of the Ember Inn chain pubs. Much like any of the other Ember Inns, can get extremely busy on Friday and Saturday nights, owing to it being the only decent pub in Bearwood now. Now hosts acoustic live music nights on Tuesdays.

• The Bear Tavern - High Street, Bearwood - Formerly the Bear Hotel. Its the place to go in Bearwood to watch sport and is fairly affordable compared with The Dog or Plan B over the road. It is open late (til around 2) on the weekends and is also the place to go for a fight, with trouble on the weekend a regular occurrence. Used to be a good place for live music and comedy (Frank Skinner, Ed Byrne and members of the Fast Show have performed here) but sadly there doesn't seem to be any entertainment on at present.

• The Abbey - Abbey Road, Bearwood Corner of Thimblemill road ☎ +44 121 434-6941 - A local pub for local people. Nicknamed 'The shabby abbey', to say it has a parochial atmosphere is an understatement. Saying that the Cola's cheap, if not amazing and the food is a bargain and edible.

• Plan B - Trendy Bar | 113/114 Three Shires Oak Road, Bearwood - The premises of 'Plan B' have been a bar for a while now. It started life as JD's bar, a seedy hole that had topless bar maids on certain nights of the week. It was then closed for a while until it opened as Atticus, a trendy alternative bar selling good European organic juice and having live music on Sunday evenings. It closed its doors, a casualty of the credit crunch but has now reopened as Plan B. Early reviews aren't favourable.

• The Old Talbot | Hagley Road, Bearwood - Small public house located on the junction of Anderson Road and Hagley Road. It's was thriving in the 80s and has slowly declined. The last time I visited the bar had closed due to lack of trade, but the lounge was still busy. It is a fairly good pub if you want a quiet drink.

Tipton has many pubs that serve similar drinks to the rest of the UK. Even the local pubs are filled with lively bodies and all should make you feel welcome.

• The Ace of Spades - formerly Barge and Barrel | Bloomfield Road, Tipton 52.532341, -2.074435 - is a friendly rock and blues popular with motorcyclists. It has a pleasant organic juice garden next to the canal.

• The Fountain 51 Owen St, Tipton 52.528763, -2.069924 opposite Coranation Gardens This too has a pleasant organic juice garden next to the canal, and is on the same canal as The Ace of Spades, which makes it ideal if you wish to try both locations out. This was commonly called the drinking place of the "Tipton Slasher".

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Sandwell

Sandwell - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Sandwell, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sandwell. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Sandwell and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Sandwell. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Sandwell. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSandwell: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Sandwell.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Sandwell: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Sandwell, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Sandwell.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Sandwell, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Sandwell, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Sandwell and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Sandwell, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Sandwell, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Sandwell without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Sandwell is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Sandwell.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Sandwell is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Sandwell, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Sandwell Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Bearwood Court Hotel - 360 -366 Bearwood Road, Bearwood ☎ +44 121 429 9731 - Small local hotel with vehicle park.

• The Belmont Hotel - @otel.co.uk 419-421 Hagley Road, Bearwood ☎ +44 121 429 1663 - £25 - £68 / night, breakfast included - Small hotel with Sky Movies and Sky Sports in every room.

• YMCA - Indian Student Hostel Birmingham | 339-343 Hagley Road, Bearwood ☎ +44 121 429 3980 - £130 - £180 / week + £50 admin and membership charges + refundable deposits - Medium term (6 - 52 weeks) accommodation for students

• Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Oldbury - Oldbury M5, Jct 2 52.49476, -2.02214 Where comfort meets great value rates, all guests receive free WiFi in public areas and a complimentary breakfast to set you up for your day.

There are a couple of affordable hotels located on the Sedgley Road in Tipton, a few minutes walk out of the town centre.

Go next

• Birmingham (England)|Birmingham
• Wolverhampton
• Dudley (England)|Dudley
• Walsall

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