Bournville in Birmingham was created in the late 1800s when the Cadbury brothers decided they needed somewhere to grow their business
A delightful village in the West Midlands boasts a captivating past, beloved eateries and stunning buildings – but there’s one snag.
Bournville in Birmingham came to life during the late 1800s when the Cadbury siblings – renowned for their chocolate empire – decided they required a location to expand their enterprise.
Richard and George discovered a plot close to the city centre featuring a waterway known as the Bourn, recognising it as the ideal spot to establish their cocoa kingdom.
The siblings desired their workers to enjoy an excellent standard of living, so they constructed homes adjacent to their factory for employee accommodation.
In 1983, they commenced planning a model community across 120 acres featuring roomy, expertly-crafted residences, reports the Express.
And so, Bournville came into existence.
The area’s main attraction is arguably Cadbury World, where visitors can discover the chocolate-making process, explore the sweet treat’s heritage and the company’s story, plus enjoy a 4D cinema experience, rides, and opportunities to practise piping and tempering techniques.
Boasting over 3,000 five-star TripAdvisor reviews, the venue has earned acclaim as a crowd-pleaser across all age groups.
One visitor said: “Myself and my family attended Cadbury World today, we did the full experience and the character afternoon tea and from start to finish it was absolutely amazing. We LOVED it! There was so much to do, we found it so interesting learning about all the history and seeing all the old classic things. The 4d cinema was also fab!” Another said: “Took my niece to Cadbury World and we had the most wonderful time! From the moment we arrived, the staff were welcoming and everything was so well organised. The interactive exhibits kept her completely entertained, and the chocolate-making demonstrations were a big hit for both of us!”.
One drawback of the village is the absence of pubs – and this stems directly from the Cadburys themselves.
The family were Quakers, meaning they made certain the village remained alcohol-free when it was constructed.
There’s just one shop in the village that stocks alcohol – booze sales were only permitted in 2015 – but apart from that, Bournville remains a “dry village”.
Even the local Tesco saw its alcohol licence bid turned down by the council.
For locals, there’s a Design Guide issued by the Bournville Village Trust which sets out how property owners must keep their homes to “conserve and enhance the special quality of the place”.
The village is also home to Selly Manor Museum, housed in two stunning buildings connected to the Cadbury family.
Guests can learn how the Tudors prepared food, dressed and lived, and wander through the museum from the parlour to the dining hall and spacious kitchen.
They can also view the bed chamber featuring a bed that once belonged to Welsh Archdeacon Edmund Prys, and try on replica Tudor outfits in the solar room.
In the garret, visitors can spot a Priest Hole and don armour, whilst the Tudor garden provides a delightful spot for a peaceful stroll, or for youngsters to enjoy during warmer weather. For those with a penchant for history or simply fancy a stroll around the charming village, there’s a free, self-guided heritage trail that takes you on a tour of some of Bournville’s most historic buildings.
The village is also famed for the Bournville Carillon, boasting 48 bells and considered one of the finest and largest instruments of its kind in the country.
If you’re a fan of shopping, dining, or just enjoy wandering around picturesque places, the village green is your go-to spot. Home to a bakery, florist, boutique, hairdressers, wool shop, butchers, and the Bournville Community Hub, it truly embodies the quintessential charm of a British village.