Knowle
Encyclopedia
Knowle is a large village a few miles southeast of the town of Solihull
, UK. Knowle lies within the historic county boundaries
of Warwickshire
, and since 1974 it has been part of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull
within the West Midlands
. It lies a few miles from the modern Warwickshire border.
Knowle is in the constituency
of Meriden
.
. Knowle is contiguous with the large village of Dorridge
and the smaller village Bentley Heath, both of which mainly residential in nature.
has recently been restored. The small shopping area also has restaurants of all varieties, making Knowle a popular destination for dining out. In 2011 a Costa Coffee opened on the High Street and plans for a new Waitrose store have been put forward.
which links Birmingham to London
. Knowle Locks are a flight of five locks (was originally six until around 1930) near the canal bridge on Kenilworth Road. Recreation areas include Jobs Close Park, which has a children's play area, tennis courts, football field and plenty of open space. There is also another football field owned by the National Trust
near Knowle Primary School, and in the smaller town of Bentley Heath, there is a newly refurbished park, near the highly rated school, of the same name. There is also Knowle Football Club, Knowle Village Cricket Club who play in Division 2 of the Warwickshire Cricket League
, after 3 promotions in three years, and the exclusive Copt Heath Golf Club. The Silhillians Sports Club is nearby, the home venue of Silhillians Rugby Union Football Club
and which also hosts a substantial Football Club and is the home of Warwickshire Hockey as well as Old Silhillians Hockey Club.
There are also many clubs in the village for all ages. There are various Scout
and Guide
groups including a Karate class and church groups. The Knowle Society exists to help maintain the village and its heritage. Knowle also has drama groups and even an Operatic Society. Knowle and Dorridge Lions organise several events, including the annual 5 mile / 8 km Knowle Fun Run. There is a Masonic Hall and Knowle and Dorridge Round Table http://www.kandd.org.uk/ meet locally.
primary school with a nursery and a secondary school, Arden School
, which caters for Dorridge
and Bentley Heath
as well. In September 2006, a sixth form centre commenced with over 50 students. The project cost approximately £4,000,000 and has attracted students from many of the surrounding schools. Work has also begun on a new design and technology block. They are considered to be well performing schools, even considering the advantaged catchment area.
The main church is a Church of England
Parish Church and there is a United Reformed Church
on Station Road. The Parish Church offers many services using modern equipment, the old Guild house and much newer St. Johns's Hall.
The housing in Knowle is mainly detached or semi-detached with the occasional terraced street and some apartment blocks. More recently, developers have bought up housing for demolition and are building "windfall developments" of apartments on the outskirts the village. House prices are considerably higher than the national average due to the demand for housing in the fringes of the West Midlands conurbation and high achieving schools.
. Knowle does not have its own railway station, but nearby Dorridge railway station
, on the Chiltern Main Line
, was previously known as Knowle and Dorridge. Another station lies a few miles north at Hampton-in-Arden
on the Coventry-Birmingham (West Coast
) line and Birmingham International railway station
is nearby for express services to London Euston.Knowle is also close to Birmingham International Airport
and is linked to Solihull
by a bus
service. The M42 motorway
runs a little over a mile from western edge of the village.
, Hampton-in-Arden
, Balsall Common
, Hockley Heath
and Henley-in-Arden
. To the northwest is Solihull
and Birmingham
, to the east Coventry
, and to the south Warwick
, Leamington Spa
and, further afield, Stratford-upon-Avon
.
Oliver Spencer
Steven Fraser
Matt Barnard
Daniel Alf Levene
Ian Thompson
John Wyndham
Solihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
, UK. Knowle lies within the historic county boundaries
Historic counties of England
The historic counties of England are subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans and in most cases based on earlier Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and shires...
of Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
, and since 1974 it has been part of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull
Metropolitan Borough of Solihull
The Metropolitan Borough of Solihull is a metropolitan borough of the West Midlands, in west-central England. It is named after its largest town, Solihull, from which Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council is based. For Eurostat purposes it is a NUTS 3 region and is one of five boroughs or unitary...
within the West Midlands
West Midlands (county)
The West Midlands is a metropolitan county in western central England with a 2009 estimated population of 2,638,700. It came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972, formed from parts of Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. The...
. It lies a few miles from the modern Warwickshire border.
Knowle is in the constituency
United Kingdom constituencies
In the United Kingdom , each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly.Within the United Kingdom there are now five bodies with members elected by constituencies:...
of Meriden
Meriden (UK Parliament constituency)
-Elections in the 2000s:-Elections in the 1990s:- Notes and references :...
.
Present day
Knowle is a busy village which still retains considerable charm, despite being on the very edge of the West Midlands conurbationWest Midlands conurbation
The West Midlands conurbation is the name given to the large conurbation that includes the cities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton and the large towns of Dudley, Walsall, West Bromwich, Solihull, Stourbridge, Halesowen in the English West Midlands....
. Knowle is contiguous with the large village of Dorridge
Dorridge
Dorridge is a village in the West Midlands borough of Solihull, England, with a population of 7800.-Location:Dorridge is to the East of the M40 and the South of the M42 which, along with a small but important green belt area, separates Dorridge and its neighbours of Knowle and Bentley Heath from...
and the smaller village Bentley Heath, both of which mainly residential in nature.
Shops and businesses
Knowle has many shops. Most of these are located on the High Street, though there are a number of side roads and a shopping precinct. Knowle Library is maintained by Solihull Council in a building called Chester House dating back to Tudor times. At the rear of the building a Knot gardenKnot garden
A knot garden is a garden of very formal design in a square frame, consisting of a variety of aromatic plants and culinary herbs including germander, marjoram, thyme, southernwood, lemon balm, hyssop, costmary, acanthus, mallow, chamomile, rosemary, Calendulas, Violas and Santolina...
has recently been restored. The small shopping area also has restaurants of all varieties, making Knowle a popular destination for dining out. In 2011 a Costa Coffee opened on the High Street and plans for a new Waitrose store have been put forward.
Recreation
Knowle is near to the Grand Union CanalGrand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles with 166 locks...
which links Birmingham to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Knowle Locks are a flight of five locks (was originally six until around 1930) near the canal bridge on Kenilworth Road. Recreation areas include Jobs Close Park, which has a children's play area, tennis courts, football field and plenty of open space. There is also another football field owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
near Knowle Primary School, and in the smaller town of Bentley Heath, there is a newly refurbished park, near the highly rated school, of the same name. There is also Knowle Football Club, Knowle Village Cricket Club who play in Division 2 of the Warwickshire Cricket League
Warwickshire Cricket League
The Warwickshire Cricket League is the biggest cricket league for clubs in Warwickshire. Its origins go back to 1989, and since 1998 it has acted as a feeder league to the Birmingham and District Premier League....
, after 3 promotions in three years, and the exclusive Copt Heath Golf Club. The Silhillians Sports Club is nearby, the home venue of Silhillians Rugby Union Football Club
Silhillians Rugby Union Football Club
Silhillians Rugby Union Football Club is a rugby club based at Copt Heath near Solihull in the English West Midlands. They compete in Midlands 2 West...
and which also hosts a substantial Football Club and is the home of Warwickshire Hockey as well as Old Silhillians Hockey Club.
There are also many clubs in the village for all ages. There are various Scout
The Scout Association
The Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
and Guide
Girlguiding UK
Girlguiding UK is the national Guiding organisation of the United Kingdom. Guiding began in the UK in 1910 after Robert Baden-Powell asked his sister Agnes to start a group especially for girls that would be run along similar lines to Scouting for Boys. The Guide Association was a founder member of...
groups including a Karate class and church groups. The Knowle Society exists to help maintain the village and its heritage. Knowle also has drama groups and even an Operatic Society. Knowle and Dorridge Lions organise several events, including the annual 5 mile / 8 km Knowle Fun Run. There is a Masonic Hall and Knowle and Dorridge Round Table http://www.kandd.org.uk/ meet locally.
Housing and schools
Knowle has two schools, a Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
primary school with a nursery and a secondary school, Arden School
Arden School
Arden School is a co-educational secondary school located in the village of Knowle near Solihull in the West Midlands, United Kingdom. It has had specialist language status since 1996....
, which caters for Dorridge
Dorridge
Dorridge is a village in the West Midlands borough of Solihull, England, with a population of 7800.-Location:Dorridge is to the East of the M40 and the South of the M42 which, along with a small but important green belt area, separates Dorridge and its neighbours of Knowle and Bentley Heath from...
and Bentley Heath
Bentley Heath
Bentley Heath is a village in the West Midlands borough of Solihull, England.-Location:Bentley Heath is to the East of the M40 and the South of the M42 which, along with a small but important green belt area, separates Bentley Heath and its neighbours of Knowle and Dorridge from the greater urban...
as well. In September 2006, a sixth form centre commenced with over 50 students. The project cost approximately £4,000,000 and has attracted students from many of the surrounding schools. Work has also begun on a new design and technology block. They are considered to be well performing schools, even considering the advantaged catchment area.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Parish Church and there is a United Reformed Church
United Reformed Church
The United Reformed Church is a Christian church in the United Kingdom. It has approximately 68,000 members in 1,500 congregations with some 700 ministers.-Origins and history:...
on Station Road. The Parish Church offers many services using modern equipment, the old Guild house and much newer St. Johns's Hall.
The housing in Knowle is mainly detached or semi-detached with the occasional terraced street and some apartment blocks. More recently, developers have bought up housing for demolition and are building "windfall developments" of apartments on the outskirts the village. House prices are considerably higher than the national average due to the demand for housing in the fringes of the West Midlands conurbation and high achieving schools.
Transport
The town lies on the A4141 road and is close to the M42 motorwayM42 motorway
The M42 motorway is a major road in England. The motorway runs north east from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to just south west of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, passing Redditch, Solihull, the National Exhibition Centre and Tamworth on the way. The section between the M40 and M6 road forms...
. Knowle does not have its own railway station, but nearby Dorridge railway station
Dorridge railway station
Dorridge railway station serves the village of Dorridge in the West Midlands of England. The station is served by Chiltern Railways, who manage the station, and also by London Midland.-History:...
, on the Chiltern Main Line
Chiltern Main Line
The Chiltern Main Line is an inter-urban, regional and commuter railway, part of the British railway system. It links London and Birmingham on a 112-mile route via the towns of High Wycombe, Banbury, and Leamington Spa...
, was previously known as Knowle and Dorridge. Another station lies a few miles north at Hampton-in-Arden
Hampton-in-Arden
Hampton-in-Arden is a village and civil parish located within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, in the West Midlands of England. The village was previously located within the county of Warwickshire, until the 1974 county boundary changes. It lies in the countryside between Birmingham and Coventry...
on the Coventry-Birmingham (West Coast
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
) line and Birmingham International railway station
Birmingham International railway station
Birmingham International railway station is located in the borough of Solihull, just east of the city of Birmingham in England.The station is on the Rugby-Birmingham-Stafford Line 14 km east of Birmingham New Street and serves both Birmingham International Airport and the National Exhibition...
is nearby for express services to London Euston.Knowle is also close to Birmingham International Airport
Birmingham International Airport (UK)
Birmingham Airport , formerly Birmingham International Airport is an airport located east southeast of Birmingham city centre, at Bickenhill in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull within the West Midlands, England...
and is linked to Solihull
Solihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
by a bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
service. The M42 motorway
M42 motorway
The M42 motorway is a major road in England. The motorway runs north east from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to just south west of Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leicestershire, passing Redditch, Solihull, the National Exhibition Centre and Tamworth on the way. The section between the M40 and M6 road forms...
runs a little over a mile from western edge of the village.
Nearby places of interest
Surrounding villages include DorridgeDorridge
Dorridge is a village in the West Midlands borough of Solihull, England, with a population of 7800.-Location:Dorridge is to the East of the M40 and the South of the M42 which, along with a small but important green belt area, separates Dorridge and its neighbours of Knowle and Bentley Heath from...
, Hampton-in-Arden
Hampton-in-Arden
Hampton-in-Arden is a village and civil parish located within the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, in the West Midlands of England. The village was previously located within the county of Warwickshire, until the 1974 county boundary changes. It lies in the countryside between Birmingham and Coventry...
, Balsall Common
Balsall Common
Balsall Common is a large village and one of the larger rural settlements in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, situated west of Coventry and to the east of Birmingham, to which it serves as a commuter village in the West Midlands. It is currently undergoing gradual suburbanisation and is...
, Hockley Heath
Hockley Heath
Hockley Heath is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, West Midlands, England. The parish is to the south of the West Midlands conurbation, from Birmingham from Solihull and from Stratford on Avon...
and Henley-in-Arden
Henley-in-Arden
Henley-in-Arden is a small town in Warwickshire, England. The name is a reference to the former Forest of Arden. In the 2001 census the town had a population of 2,011....
. To the northwest is Solihull
Solihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
and Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, to the east Coventry
Coventry
Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although...
, and to the south Warwick
Warwick
Warwick is the county town of Warwickshire, England. The town lies upon the River Avon, south of Coventry and just west of Leamington Spa and Whitnash with which it is conjoined. As of the 2001 United Kingdom census, it had a population of 23,350...
, Leamington Spa
Leamington Spa
Royal Leamington Spa, commonly known as Leamington Spa or Leamington or Leam to locals, is a spa town in central Warwickshire, England. Formerly known as Leamington Priors, its expansion began following the popularisation of the medicinal qualities of its water by Dr Kerr in 1784, and by Dr Lambe...
and, further afield, Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon is a market town and civil parish in south Warwickshire, England. It lies on the River Avon, south east of Birmingham and south west of Warwick. It is the largest and most populous town of the District of Stratford-on-Avon, which uses the term "on" to indicate that it covers...
.
Notable residents
Stephen A CookOliver Spencer
Steven Fraser
Matt Barnard
Daniel Alf Levene
Ian Thompson
John Wyndham
John Wyndham
John Wyndham Parkes Lucas Beynon Harris was an English science fiction writer who usually used the pen name John Wyndham, although he also used other combinations of his names, such as John Beynon and Lucas Parkes...
External links
- Knowle Fun Run organised by
- Knowle and Dorridge Lions
- Knowle Sea Scout Group
- Ye Olde Knowle Bowling Club
- Solihull and Leamington Rail Users Association representing the interests and views of local rail users.
- Knowle Dine-Fest A local review of the eating places in the High Street
- Knowle Parish Church website
- Knowle Local History Society website
- Knowle and Dorridge Round Table
- 1st Knowle Scout Group
- Knowle Village Cricket Club