York Road Kings Heath

Neighbourhood Guide: King’s Heath

King’s Heath is a vibrant and diverse suburb of Birmingham. Located just 3 miles south of the city centre, this area offers a multitude of attractions for locals and visitors alike.

Enjoy the many independent shops, cafes and pubs that make up King’s Heath’s unique character. Be sure to take a trip to King’s Heath Park and Highbury Park– with beautiful ponds, woodland and open green spaces make it perfect for picnics or simply spending time outdoors getting absorbed in nature.

The local community still refers to Kings Heath as a “village” even though it has been part of the city of Birmingham since Victorian era. There is a small public square at the High Street and Vicarage Road junction which has been developed to form an attractive public square and is often used as a venue for a monthly farmers’ market and other events.

Graffiti mural for King's Heath
King’s Heath Mural

THINGS TO DO IN KING’S HEATH

King’s Heath Park

Kings Heath Park covers around 35 acres. It was the first urban park in Birmingham to achieve Green Flag status.

The area around the main house and conservatory features high quality seasonal bedding schemes, herbaceous borders, alpine outcrops, heather beds, trees, shrubs and a refurbished pool area.

Facilities include a tea room, bowling green, plant nursery and two playgrounds.

Vicarage Road, Birmingham B14 7TQ

 

King’s Heath Farmer’s Market

A slice of foodie heaven in the centre of Kings Heath, Birmingham. The King’s Heath farmer’s market is held on the first Saturday of every month from 9am to 2pm.

Kings Heath Village Square, Alcester Road, B14 7RA

 

Highbury Hall and Highbury Park

Highbury Hall is a magnificent Grade II listed mansion house that is generally closed to the public except for the occasional open day Otherwise it is used for private hires and as a wedding venue. 

However, Highbury Park surrounding it does have public access and is a wonderful park space to enjoy. A 42-acre public park, with tree-lined paths, flowerbeds and a pond surrounding the grand 1870s residence of a former Lord Mayor.

Highbury Hall, 4 Yew Tree Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8QG

Highbury Park, 4 Tilbury Grove, Birmingham B13 8PE

Row of shops
Polar Bear Records on York Road

Polar Bear Records

Polar Bear Records is an independent record store selling a range of genres including indie, folk, rock, psych, jazz and blues on CD and vinyl.

10 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7RZ

two shops, one with a pink frontage and one with a yellow frontage
Top Banana Vintage

Top Banana Vintage

Top Banana Vintage is a vintage clothing, shoes and accessories shop for men and women, with a choice of well-known labels. The store deals in original vintage clothing direct from the USA, and specialise in Converse and Vans footwear and have a great selection of Hawaiian shirts.

14 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7RZ

 

Levain and Cherry

Levain and Cherry is an independent French artisan bakery. They offer to their customers the unique experience of seeing how bread is made from the very start to the finished loaf while filling the street with its delicious smell. They sell French breads, baguettes and pastries with added twists from around the world.

King’s Court, High Street, King’s Heath, B14 7JZ

 

CircusMash

Ever fancied trying out some circus skills? At CircusMash you can try one of their workshops including aerial, trapeze, juggling, hula hooping, and more.

The Old Church Hall, 2 Vicarage Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7RA

Borough and Fox Greengrocers

Borough and Fox

Shop at the local greengrocer’s Borough and Fox. An independent greengrocer with a focus on reducing waste. 

The Heath Bookshop in King’s Court

The Heath Bookshop

Visit The Heath Bookshop in King’s Court. An independent book shop to read, drink coffee, and have a chat.

 

WHERE TO EAT IN KING’S HEATH

Kitchen Garden Cafe in King’s Heath

Kitchen Garden Cafe

Hidden down a cute alleyway bedecked with plants and fairy lights, the Kitchen Garden Cafe expands out into a lovely multi-use space. Open from 9am til 4pm during the day for breakfast, brunch, and lunch. 

Breakfast is served all day and after 12 noon you can expect delicious homemade sandwiches, burgers, salads, and more. Plus on Sunday’s they offer a generous Sunday roast!

Check out Kitchen Garden Cafe for its delicious deli counter, tasty coffee, and family-friendly areas. Plus, they offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.

Kitchen Garden Cafe, 17 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

Loco Lounge cafe bar

Loco Lounge

Loco Lounge is part of The Lounges group. They are known for their wide selection of food offerings and being family-friendly – kids get a colouring pad, crayons and there’s books for them to read.

Great for comfort food and all decorated with in a shabby chic style. Vegans and special diets are catered for. And also great a coffee shop stop.

32-34 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JT

Plant n Plate

Plant n Plate

Plant n Plate is a plant-based cafe offering breakfasts, meat-free burgers and hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, as well daily specials. Try their ‘mylkshakes’ for something a little different. 

55 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7BH

Burger and Sauce, King’s Heath

Burger and Sauce

Fresh handmade burgers, unique burger sauce, and delectable chicken wings. Burger & Sauce offer beef, chicken, or veggie burgers, plus all your favourite sides and drinks. Check out their specials, loaded fries, and nachos!

High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7LB

Blow Water Cafe

Blow Water Cafe

Blow Water Cafe is a Hong Kong-inspired eatery and arts space. Dedicated to Hong Kong Culture, connecting the far East with Birmingham through the arts and food. Blow Water also hosts supper clubs and workshops, along with their weekly lunch and dinner menus. A female-led enterprise, Blow Water Cafe is creating some super interesting collaborations, a real gem of a find.

4B Heathfield Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7DB

Mon Korea

Mon Korea

Check out Mon Korea for delicious Korean food. Expect all your usual Korean favourites such as bibimbap, hot pot, and kimchi. As well as katsu curry, ramen, and tempura.

2 Heathfield Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7DB

 

Byzantium

Enjoy Mediterranean tapas at Byzantium in King’s Heath. Bringing together the best of the Ottoman, Levantine, Italian, Spanish and Maghreb culinary culture through their menu. Expect meat, fish, and veggie tapas, as well as paella and delicious desserts. A great spot for dinner!

11 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

 

Old Damascus

A delightful Arabic restaurant, Old Damascus offers amazing grilled platters including shawarma, kofta, shish tawouk, falafal, and more. Enjoy Arabic favourites such as houmous, baba ganouh, kibbeh, as well as an all-day breakfast. The portions are generous, so go with an empty stomach!

2 Alcester Rd S, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7PU

 

Sylhet Spice Cuisine

Some nights you just need a good curry. Specialising in Indian and Bengali food, Sylhet Spice Cuisine is a reliable dinner option. With an extensive menu you are sure to find something to enjoy.

27-29 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

Poli King’s Heath

Poli

If you’re looking for wood-fired pizza check out Poli in King’s Heath. Featuring a tight menu, choose from the range of about 7 pizza options as well as a handful of small plates and desserts. At Poli you can also enjoy natural wine and craft beer to wash down that delicious pizza.

21 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

 

COFFEE SHOPS IN KING’S HEATH

 
Gorilla Coffee Cafe

The Gorilla Coffee Cafe is great for brunch and coffee. Plus it’s super popular with cyclists – it has its own cycling club!  Get tasty sandwiches, breakfast using locally sourced foods and fresh produce. 

1a, 1b Drayton Rd., King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7LP

Pause Coffee Shop and Bakery

Pause Coffee Shop and Bakery

Notable for their cinnabuffins – part cinnamon roll, part muffin. Pause does great coffee with all your favourites plus V60 and Chemex coffee. Grab a tasty brunch or their infamous baked treats. There’s something different every day!

Unit 2 King’s Court, 92 High Street, King’s Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ

 

Biscotto Cafe

Go for afternoon tea at Biscotto Cafe. A Greek-run bakery and cafe, all of their cakes are freshly made. You can also order from their selection cakes online including traditional Greek cakes. Vegan options also available.

8 Poplar Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7AD

Early Bird in King’s Heath

The Early Bird Bakery

The Early Bird Bakery is a coffee shop and bakery serving up great coffee and brunch. Expect interesting brunch options such as Smoked Haddock Kedgeree Arancini or Roasted Mushroom and Halloumi Bun.

28 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JT

 

Flock

Flock is known for top quality coffee. Located on York Road,  reviewers have been raving about their excellent coffee.

25 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

 

The MilkCake Man

A dessert shop with some of the most instagrammable desserts in the city. This is for all the fans of sweet treats. The Milkcake Man is known for soft serve ice creams and milk cakes. Expect fun toppings and extras including candy floss. You will also find Spanish lattes, pancakes, and regular collabs with other Birmingham foodies.  

Unit 3, Kings Court, 90 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ

 

Cartland’s Tea Rooms

Located in King’s Heath Park, Cartland’s Tea Rooms serves up delicious cakes, tea, coffee, and light bites. Perfect for afternoon tea after a stroll in the park.

Kings Heath Park, Birmingham B14 7TQ

 

WHERE TO DRINK IN KING’S HEATH

Hare and Hounds in King’s Heath
UB40 plaque at Hare and Hounds

Hare and Hounds

Hare and Hounds is both a pub and independent music venue. Known locally as the spot where UB40 held their first gig in the 1970s, it is now host to regular music nights and there is entertainment every week. The pub boasts two downstairs bars which host a weekly pub quiz on Wednesdays, the hugely popular Blues Club on Saturday afternoons, comedy workshops and more. The two famous upstairs venues feature live music and club nights spanning jazz, indie, funk, reggae, hip hop, soul, house, techno, drum & bass and beyond.

106 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7JZ

Grace and James deli and bar

Grace and James

Grace + James is a neighbourhood bar restaurant and deli. A wine bar serving Organic, Biodynamic and Natural wines as well as local beers.

23 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

Fletchers Bar

Fletchers Bar

Fletchers Bar is a welcoming and lively venue perfect for anything from a quiet drink with family to a late night boogie with old friends. Open 7 days a week they have an extensive spirits and local draughts. They regular live music and entertainment nights.

7 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

two shops, one with a pink frontage and one with a yellow frontage
The Juke

The Juke

The Juke is a bespoke craft beer bar and eatery with an authentic vintage, free to play Jukebox. Their kitchen is home to some of Birmingham’s best street food traders, whilst their taps are full of hand picked craft beer.

16 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7RZ

 

Hop & Scotch

Hop & Scotch is an independent bar and bottle shop serving quality real ales and craft beers. They offer a rotating selection of cask, keg, and bottles from some of the best beer and cider producers around. Plus they also have a select range of gin, scotch, world whisky, and wine. 

9 Institute Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7EG

 

Schooners

Schooners is a local craft beer bar, bottle shop and darts room. They specialise in beer that has been sourced within 30 miles of King’s Heath.

31 York Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SA

 

BEST PLACES FOR THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN KING’S HEATH

Inside Hickory Dickory Playhouse Kings Heath
Hickory Dickory’s Playhouse Kings Heath

Hickory Dickory’s Playhouse

Hickory Dickory’s Playhouse is a great soft play and and activity centre in King’s Heath. Wit plenty of areas to suit kids of all ages under 12 years old, there are trampolines and slides, toy areas, and soft mats. Plenty to keep the little ones entertained for a while.

Unit 3 Findlay Rd, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7SN

 

Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre

Cocks Moors Woods Leisure Centre offers a great range of facilities suitable for all ages and abilities, including a fully air-conditioned gym, a 25m swimming pool with fun swim features including 50m flume, a versatile sports hall and a workout area with variety of workout classes.

Alcester Rd S, Kings Heath, Birmingham B14 6ER

 

WHERE TO STAY IN KING’S HEATH

There aren’t any hotels in King’s Heath. The nearest place to stay in King’s Heath is The Bournebrook Inn in Stirchley, which is about 1.5 miles away. 

Otherwise, there are some AirBnb places to stay in King’s Heath. 

York Road Kings Heath

OTHER INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT KING’S HEATH

Residents of King’s Heath are known locally and affectionately as ‘Heathen’s’.

 

GETTING TO KING’S HEATH: TRANSPORT AND PARKING

King’s Heath is well connected via the bus network. The number 50 bus goes from Moor Street Selfridges bus stop in the city centre straight through to King’s Heath. Plus King’s Heath is served by the 35, 11, 76, 69, and 27 buses.

At the moment there is no train station serving King’s Heath but there will be a new one opening soon. The new Camp Hill Line will be serving Moseley, King’s Heath, and Pineapple Road, with a current projected opening date of end of 2023.

There is a King’s Heath car park on the High Street outside the old cinema. There are two car parks on Institute Road near the Iceland supermarket. Both are pay and display parking.

There is also parking at the Asda and Lidl supermarkets but these do have a strict time limit are generally reserved for customers only.

 

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