History of Solihull

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Solihull probably came into being about a thousand years ago as a clearing in the forest to which people would come to trade. The Doomsday Survey of 1086 would suggest that it was one of the most sparsely populated areas in the country. The first known reference to Solihull occurs in a tax list dated around 1180. The earlier Anglo-Saxon settlement of Ulverlei lay about two miles north west, in the area of present day Olton.

"It is most likely that Solihull was founded, during the lordship of the last of the de Limesis , as a market centre , a 'planted borough'. The site chosen was at the junction of important medieval roads on top of the hill from which it derived its name 'soly hill' meaning 'miry hill'. It may be that there was already a holy well. The origins of St Alphege Church date from this time."

By 1200 Solihull was fully established and Ulverlei was being referred to as Olton. It began to develop at the beginning of the 13th century with market rights granted in 1242. In 1417 Henry V claimed the manor as his own.

Solihull's relatively isolated position precluded any large scale or dramatic changes. Agriculture remained the chief source of employment locally, together with the manufacture of hunting weapons and agricultural implements. By the 18th century Solihull was well established as an administrative centre being the seat seat of the Petty Sessions, having it's own County Court, and a grammar school which famously rejected Samuel Johnson's application to be the headmaster. By the end of the century the area's main industry was still farming with Solihull as it's market centre, but it was also developing as a location for the grand houses of Birmingham's industrialists.

Industrial Birmingham has been growing at a prolific rate since the mid 18th century. The opening of the Birmingham to Oxford Railway destroyed Solihull's isolation for ever and it's growth began in earnest.

High St c1850
Solihull High Street c1850

This accelerated in from the 1920's with a tremendous amount of land development including houses, industry and parks. Solihull's population grew correspondingly: in 1921 - 21,00, 1932 - 25,00, and 1941 - 60,000. During the Second World War industry expanded and the Rover Car Company established a factory, which in post war times led to Solihull becoming known as the home of the Land Rover.

There is a lot of historical information on the excellent local parish website
www.solihullparish.org.uk/about_the_parish.htm

Dorridge Parade c1956 ( Aitken)

Malvern Hall built by Humphrey Greswold
remained the family home for two centuries

You Said....

Martin, I went looking for Drury Lane and Touchwood Hall. They have flattened my old house at No 21 Drury Lane opposite Touchwood Hall. Are there any old photographs of the village as I remembered it in the 1940s & 1950s. Do you have access to any scanned photographs of Mill and Drury Lane ? I spent many days wondering about in the pathfields behind the Golden Lion and damming up the River Blythe on the way through Bruton Park to the lakes near the Warwick Road bridge. I presume my old school St Alpheges is still there with the ghosts of those who cracked my fingers with rulers in the handwriting classes in the middle of winter.
Any references would be helpful.
Kindest Regards
Richard Isaac
Brisbane - Australia & UK

At Bennett's well Primary school in Fordbridge North solihull school we are looking into the local history of the school and surrounding area. If anyone has any photos or memories to share with us we'd be very grateful. Tel 0121 788 2198 or email office@bennetts-well.solihull.sch.uk

I was born in Solihull in 1941, at no 6 Mill Lane. My dad was the local window cleaner and my uncle Dave was the lamp lighter for the street lights (gas). My grandparents also lived in the lane at no 14. The Mabbotts, dad and uncle started their jobs after the war. We lived opposite the Rema teashop then there was Cotons the builders, Roberts the shoe shop, and dear old Mr Cotten the sweet shop. The paper shop was half way up the lane, Davies the bakers at the top and also in the lane the British Restaurant (the old school) where we used to play and also we used to get fish and chips in the war 44/45/46. I remember also the end of the war party in the lane. On the Warwick Rd was the Tanyard, also the caravan place, the butchers who also used to kill the animals, the garage opposite McFisheries and Sylvesters. There was a grocers on the corner of the lane. Drury Lane with the chapel Warwick Rd end, Druryhouse this was the big house just up the lane we reckoned it was haunted. I went to St Alphege school, some of the teachers I remember: Miss Appletons, the two sisters, Miss Thomson (a ruler across the back of the hand) and the lovely Miss Hufton. I can't remember the headmistress' name. Brian Hall and John Ward lived in the lane and oh yes, also the taxi firm 'Fitters Taxies' if I'm right. I moved to Shirley when I was 11 but still regard myself as an old Silhillian.
Ronnie West

I was born in Solihull 42 years ago and attended Malvern Hall school from 1973-1978. I have spent many happy times in Malvern and Brueton park and now take my own child there. Solihull has changed so much during my life, from the 60's when Mell Square was built to today and Touchwood shopping mall. It's great to see websites about Solihull and the parks. Thanks a lot.
Kath Chauhan

Has anybody seen what I am about to describe in Brueton/Malvern park and could tell me what it is. It is in a wooded area next to the new wildlife place. There are big ditches one of which has a huge dead tree in it. It is an igloo shaped building made of brick but most of it is buried. It is at the bottom of ST Martins schools field. Could anyone tell me what it is? Thanks.
Noel
From your description and its location it sounds very much like an ICE HOUSE. these were common in the grounds of large houses. They were stocked with ice during the winter months and because of their construction and insulation offered by being underground were able to provide a source of ice to the household throughout the summer. It was the 18th century equivalent of a fridge.
Ian Sill
The ice house is a Grade II Listed Building. The citation reads "Ice house. Circa late C18. Brick. Egg-shaped, 15 ft. across and 22ft. tall. Short passage, 4ft. wide, has right angle bend and leads to upper part of the chamber. Sunken underground, the earth mound over it has eroded exposing the domed top of the ice house. This ice house is situated in the park of Malvern Hall (qv), which was built in circa 1690 and remodelled and extended in 1784 by Soane." The building was added to the Statutory list in 1994, along with the ice house at the rear of Meriden Hall, Berkswell Road, Meriden.
Martin Saunders
Senior Planning Officer
Conservation

We would like to hear from anyone with recollections of living and working in the Solihull area. Email info@solihull-online.net