Walmley

Coordinates: 52°32′26″N 1°48′01″W / 52.540464°N 1.800289°W / 52.540464; -1.800289

Walmley is an area of Sutton Coldfield, England. It is in south Sutton Coldfield, near to Erdington, Minworth, Wylde Green, Pype Hayes and south of Thimble End. It is approximately 11 kilometres (7 mi) northeast of Birmingham city centre. It is the main focus of the Sutton New Hall Birmingham City Council ward.

History

The origins of Walmley are unknown, however, it is believed it may have formed as a community for workers at the nearby halls of Langley Hall, New Hall Manor, Penns Hall and Peddimore Hall. It may have originally begun at a point near Penns Hall as it had major influence in the area, employing many for its activities in Penns Mill and other industries. A small community of Langley developed on the Fox Hollies Road and was mentioned in the Domesday Book, however, it was nothing more than a hamlet with no church, inn or community meeting centre.

John Vesey, Bishop of Exeter, played a small role in Walmley's early development through the construction of several buildings in the area. These were some of 51 stone cottages built by the Bishop who was concerned with the deteriorating state of Sutton Coldfield as a whole. One of these cottages was the ford keeper's house on the banks of Plants Brook, which enabled travellers to pass along Wylde Green Road and over the ford in safety. The building is now listed.