Known locally, and rather amusingly, as "Birmingham's Bohemian Quarter" or the "Muesli belt" (full of fruits, flakes and nuts) due to the number of creative types and vegetarian Guardian readers that seem to live in the vicinity. In fact, everyone seems to be either a media type, artist, DJ, musician, comedian, teacher or social worker! Ocean Colour Scene used to live here (and named their breakthrough album, Moseley Shoals, after it), while Pram, Broadcast, Bentley Rhythm Ace and the odd member of OCS can still be spotted downing a few jars in the Jug now and again. The area has a fairly rich cultural heritage with listed buildings and strong Tolkien connection (Moseley Bog and the nearby Sarehole Mill inspired the young writer of Lord of the Rings) and has just about everything you need so you won't even have to go into the city centre... Housing: Prices are rising due to the area's desirability (£400+ for a room is not unheard of), but there are flats, bedsits, studio flats and houses in multiple accommodation available if you have the cash (or the luck).
Far cheaper alternatives can be found down the road in Balsall Heath, or up the road in Kings Heath. Shopping: Kwiksave, small supermarkets and a health food shop (which helped inspire the "Moseley Muesli" nickname).
There's also a record store and Cinephilia, a video rental shop that stocks art-house movies and cult classics.
Kings Heath boasts Safeway, Sainsbury's, WH Smith, Blockbuster, and many major High Street stores, including several charity shops, record stores and International Stock - a warehouse famed for cheap CDs, videos and DVDs. Bars & Cafes: Fashionable bars (The Cross), loud indie pubs (The Jug of Ale), boozers (The Prince of Wales), Irish themed bar (O'Neill's), plus The Patrick Kav', Hogshead, and the old Fighting Cocks (now The Goose).
How many pubs do you need?
For a quieter drink try the Old Mo' towards Balsall Heath (Tindal St), while The Village does the best Sunday lunch in the area for around a fiver (with pudding). Entertainment: The Jug boasts DJs downstairs and regular gigs upstairs (Oasis once played there don't y'know - although now it's largely local acts), while The Patrick Kav' hosts regular comedy nights.
For sounds of the '70s and '80s, check The Moseley Dance Centre at weekends.
The MAC is a short walk away in Cannon Hill Park (cinema, theatre, bar, art gallery, evening courses - from yoga to guitar playing, plus annual events such as outdoor classical music and fireworks).
If you want to chill out, The Buddhist Centre runs meditation workshops.
The Moseley Festival takes place once a year (August Bank Holiday) and includes 2-3 days of stalls and events in Moseley Park. Transport: The number 50 bus goes into Birmingham City. The 11 goes through Kings Heath and the 8 touches on Balsall Heath.
There are also several taxi firms. Takeaways & Restaurants: Indian restaurants and takeaways, Italian, French, Chinese, you want it, it's here - kebabs, fish'n'chips.
There are more outlets in Balsall Heath and Kings Heath too, including balti buffets and Thai. Parks: Residents in the B13 postcode are proud of their very own private park (you have to pay for a key), but there's Moseley Bog on the outskirts of the area (where Tolkien used to hang out), plus greenery in Kings Heath, Balsall Heath and nearby Edgbaston (Cannon Hill Park). Amenities: The Victorian Moseley Baths has real character (although needs a bit of repair), while there's a larger leisure centre the other side of Kings Heath. Comments: More churches, pubs and takeaways per person than any other area in Brum (possibly)!
You can see how obsessed the residents of Moseley are with their area by checking out their website www.b13.net! |
