'I live in the West Midlands' most expensive village and I'm terrified for the future'
The charming village of Dorridge has been ranked as the most expensive place to live in the West Midlands. A resident of the village told BirminghamWorld about the threat of overdevelopment that could spoil the rural charm and historic appeal.
As a resident of Dorridge, or thereabouts, I’ve always been aware of the appeal of this leafy West Midlands village, but its recent crowning as the region’s most expensive place to live - boasting median property prices of £627,500 - adds a new layer to its reputation.
This hefty price tag doesn’t surprise me. Dorridge is a perfect blend of rural tranquillity and urban convenience, offering the best of both worlds for suburban families who need to commute for work.
Its station, with links to both London Marylebone and Birmingham, makes it ideal for high-earning professionals.
Add to that its proximity to Solihull, which boasts one of the most pleasant high streets in the UK, and the location becomes even more attractive.
Despite its excellent connections, Dorridge retains a rural charm. You’re essentially in the ancient Forest of Arden, as evidenced by local spots like The Forest pub and the Scandinavian-inspired Skogen cocktail bar (Skogen means ‘forest’ in Swedish).
The area offers endless opportunities for walking and cycling, with historic villages like Knowle and nearby attractions such as Packwood House just around the corner. Some of the Norman churches are incredible too, such as St Giles in nearby Packwood.
The village is also safe, with an abundance of green spaces in Dorridge itself and nearby Hockley Heath and Widney Manor.
For families, it’s an ideal place to raise children, offering excellent local amenities, including a top-notch fish and chip shop, restaurants, and a particularly pleasant coffee shop at the station. The station was recently the shortlist for best in the region too.
Of course, as its popularity increases, so do concerns. Overdevelopment threatens to undermine Dorridge’s charm. Car parking is relatively scarce, and even the large Sainsbury’s reaches capacity on busy days. Developers may be eyeing up or sitting on nearby land, but infrastructure is not particularly abundant.
Dorridge and the surrounding area is expensive for a reason, but if we allow it to become overcrowded, we risk losing the very qualities that make it so desirable.
Let’s keep some things as they are, for the sake of its future.