While Aldridge may officially be part of the industrial Black Country, much of it resembles a well-to-do country town.
Its rural past is evident in its picture perfect parish church situated in an area known as The Green; there has been a church on the site for around 750 years with the current external walls dating from the mid-19 th Century.
The town centre has a good selection of national chain stores and locally owned shops, and Aldridge has a thriving business community who work closely with Walsall Council on plans to improve the centre.
A 10-year council-led regeneration project aims to remodel the precinct area and part of the High Street to create larger retail units and new homes, upgrade car parking, and improve the overall appearance through landscapong.
The council is also campaigning for a new railway station to be built on the line which runs to the south of the town centre.
Aldridge is now very much a dormitory town with many of the 17,000 residents making use of its excellent location and good road links to work outside of the area.
It's also ideal for lovers of countryside, being home to the historic Barr Beacon Park which is well-known as being the highest point in the West Midlands.
Around five miles away, there is the Chasewater Reservoir and Country Park with the vast heathland of Cannock Chase beyond.
Property in Aldridge
Aldridge is one of the most pleasant residential areas of the West Midlands. The town features a high proportion of family sized homes built between the two World Wars.
Recent developments include Cedar Rise, a smart development of four-bedroom properties close to the town centre, and The Paddocks, off Walsall Road, which is an interesting mix of well-designed homes from small apartments to four-bed houses.
Living in Aldridge
Transport:
Train: The nearest train station is in Walsall which is a short bus or car journey away.
Trains run to Birmingham in one direction and Cannock and Hednesford in the other; from Birmingham New Street there are connections to all Inter City routes and to Birmingham Airport.
There are plans to extend the Midlands Metro tram services to Walsall by 2010.
Road: Aldridge is situated on the A454 Walsall Road and is close to the A452 and A461.
Junction six of the M6 is just over three miles away, and there are good links with Brownhills, Burtnwood and Chasetown to the north. The attractive cathedral city of Lichfield is also in easy reach along the A461.
Bus: Aldridge has regular bus services to Walsall and to Birmingham, including Birmingham University. There are also buses to other towns including Brownhills and Sutton Coldfield.
Air: Birmingham International Airport is close by and can be accessed by train via Birmingham. East Midlands Airport is also easily accessible by car.
Eating and Drinking:
Aldridge has several bars, some of which serve food. The nearby town of Walsall has a bigger choice, and the excellent facilities of Birmingham city centre are close at hand.
Sports:
Aldridge is a paradise for golfers with four courses circling the town, and the world famous Belfry hotel and its golf courses are within easy reach.
Aldridge Rugby Club play at Bourne Vale, while the town’s cricket and hockey teams and running club are based at the Aldridge Stick and Wicket Club at The Green.
Aldridge is an ideal base for supporters of professional football with several Premiership and Football League clubs in easy reach of the town.
Sailing is popular at nearby Chasewater and there are a variety of sporting clubs to choose from including sub-aqua, swimming and triathlon.
Leisure and Entertainment:
Aldridge has its own youth theatre and several organisations for children including a scouts group and an air training corps.
The local community hall is the venue for a range of activities including line dancing, bridge and yoga.
Nearby Walsall is well known for its annual illuminations at the town’s arboretum which are said to rival Blackpool’s more famous light show.
Lichfield has the well regarded Garrick Theatre and hosts a large, well supported, arts festival each summer.
Top class theatres and concert venues such as the National Indoor Arena and the National Exhibition Centre are not far away in Birmingham.
Parks and Open Spaces:
Aldridge Airport is a park with facilities for sports including tennis, bowls and five-a-side football. There is also a play area for children under 12.
Barr Beacon Park offers stunning views over Shropshire, Staffordshire and the West Midlands. The area is popular with cyclists, horse riders and walkers.
Nearby Chasewater is popular with both watersports enthusiasts and walkers. The Chasewater railway is around two miles in length and rail enthusiasts run diesel and steam trains along it.
Cannock Chase is a large area of heathland designated as an Area of Outstanding National Beauty, and is home to around 800 fallow deer.