West Bromwich

Coordinates: 52°31′08″N 1°59′42″W / 52.519°N 1.995°W / 52.519; -1.995

West Bromwich ⁱ/wɛst ˈbrɒmɪtʃ/ or /wɛst ˈbrɒmwɪtʃ/ is a town in Sandwell, West Midlands, England. Historically in Staffordshire, it is in the Black Country, 5 miles (8 km) northwest of Birmingham, and had a population of 75,405 at the 2011 census.

History

Origin and etymology

West Bromwich was first mentioned as Bromwic ('broom village') in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is believed that it may have originally been part of the Handsworth parish. A Benedictine priory existed in West Bromwich from the 12th century around which the settlement of Broomwich Heath grew. In 1727, the town became a stop on the coaching road between London and Shrewsbury and its growth began. The prefix 'West' serves to distinguish it from the village of Castle Bromwich, also in the West Midlands.

Development

In the 19th century, coal deposits were discovered, ensuring that the town grew rapidly as an industrial centre, with industries such as spring, gun and nail making developing. Well before the end of the 19th century, West Bromwich had established itself as a prominent area to match older neighbouring towns including Dudley and Walsall.

Bromwich (disambiguation)

Bromwich may refer to: