Indeed, Solihull has a lager number of old buildings – many of them built hundreds of years ago.
When we think of Solihull’s history, we often think of the borough’s picturesque villages and being the birthplace of some famous faces, such as England midfielder Jack Grealish. The town is also known for its association with the car manufacturer Land Rover. The Solihull plant has remained the home and birthplace of Land Rover since 1948.
But we’d be amiss to forget the older history of the town. Solihull was founded as a place of trade to fulfil the needs of a scattered population. With the founding of St Alphege Church in the 1200s, Solihull as we know it today began to take shape. The borough developed over the centuries and also became known for its blacksmiths trade.
And some of Solihull’s most ancient and historic buildings can still be seen across the city today. You may pass by any one of them on the way to work or the shops and you may not know the history of the buildings - and how much they contributed to the creation of 21st century Solihull.
Take a journey with us through time, as we take a look at 12 of the oldest buildings still standing in Solihull today:
1. St Alphege Church, Solihull - 1220
The red sandstone parish church of St. Alphege dates back to the 12th century. The old church stands proudly in the heart of Solihull today
2. Elmdon Parish Church, Elmdon - 1297
The Elmdon Parish Church is a medieval church that was rebuilt in the 18th century. There has been a place of worship on the site since 1297. It’s also known as as St. Nicholas’ Church
3. Guild House, Knowle - 1413
The Guild House was the headquarters of the Guild of St. Anne, a charitable and religious guild established in 1413
4. Manor House, Solihull High Street - 1495
The timber-framed Manor House in Solihull High Street was built in approximately 1495 and is Grade II* listed. It has never actually been home to the Lord of the Manor so isn't a manor house in the traditional sense. Once owned by the Greswolde family, it was known by the 19th century as Lime Tree House as a result of the nine lime trees that had been planted outside it about 1720. For many years it was the surgery of local doctors Ferdinand Page and his son, Ericson.