Hollywood, Worcestershire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hollywood |
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 Simms Lane, The Croft, The Innage |
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 Hollywood
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| Population | 7,284 Including Silver Street and Packhorse/Baccabox Lane |
| OS grid reference | SP081772 |
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| District |
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| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | BIRMINGHAM |
| Postcode district | B47 |
| Dialling code | 0121 & 01564 |
| Police | West Mercia |
| Fire | Hereford and Worcester |
| Ambulance | West Midlands |
| EU Parliament | West Midlands |
Hollywood is a large village in Worcestershire, England. It is very close to the city of Birmingham, just to its south. Even though Birmingham grew bigger in 1911, Hollywood stayed in Worcestershire.
Today, Hollywood covers a few areas. These include the Hollywood ward, most of Drakes Cross, and parts of Trueman's Heath. After a border change in 1966, a small southern part of Birmingham's Highter's Heath area is also linked to Hollywood. The village is about 13 kilometers (8.5 miles) south of Birmingham city center. It is also near Solihull and Redditch.
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Village History
Before the 1950s, Hollywood was mostly countryside. It had many fields and farms. After World War II, a lot of new homes, shops, and schools were built. This changed the area a lot.
Most of the new buildings were not directly connected to Birmingham at first. The Hollywood Golf Course helped keep a space between them. In 1966, the city border moved. This included new areas like Hollywood Primary School. Because of the school's name, this part of Birmingham is still often thought of as Hollywood.
Where is Hollywood?
Hollywood is located near the Alcester Road. The main A435 road used to go through the village but now goes around it. To the north, Hollywood is next to Highter's Heath. To the south, it is next to Wythall.
Other places close to Hollywood include:
- Kings Heath
- Kings Norton
- Shirley
- Maypole
- Tidbury Green
- Earlswood
- Major's Green
- Whitlocks End
- Dickens Heath
Things to Do in Hollywood
Hollywood has several places for people to enjoy. The 18-hole Hollywood Golf Club is here. It has been around since 1913. There are also some long-standing local businesses. These include Kilby Packaging, a family-owned company since 1946, and Davies Timber, a wood supplier that is over 100 years old.
Many community buildings are found near Woodrush High School. These include the Woodrush Sports Centre and the Wythall Library. St Mary's CoE Church is also located next to Coppice Primary School. Hollywood Primary School is just over the border in Birmingham. Meadow Green Primary School is to the south in Wythall village.
You can also find two public houses in the village:
- The Packhorse on Packhorse Lane
- The White Swan on Alcester Road
Getting Around Hollywood
Hollywood has good public transport options.
Bus Services
Several bus routes serve the village:
- Diamond West Midlands runs the 150 bus. This bus goes between Redditch and Kings Heath.
- Diamond West Midlands also runs the 502 bus. This is a school service between Kings Heath and Alcester Academy.
- LandFlight runs the A4 bus. This bus travels between Wythall (Inkford Brook) and Solihull.
Train Stations
Hollywood is close to two railway stations:
- Wythall station
- Whitlocks End station
These stations offer regular train services. You can catch trains to places like Stratford-Upon-Avon, Birmingham, Kidderminster, and Worcester. Trains run about every half-hour or hour.
Famous People from Hollywood
Some well-known people have lived in Hollywood:
- Steve Ashley: A former motor racing champion.
- Alan Dedicoat: Known as the 'Voice of the Balls' on The National Lottery Draws. He was born in the village.
- Chris Dunn: Bass guitarist from the band City Boy.
- Leslie Dunn: An actor and TV news journalist, known for The Archers.
- Parry Glasspool: An actor from the TV show Hollyoaks.
- Alan Smith: A former professional footballer for Arsenal and Leicester City.
- John Taylor: Bass guitarist from the band Duran Duran.
