Newbridge, Wolverhampton facts for kids

Newbridge is a lively area located in Wolverhampton, a city in the West Midlands region of England. You can find it northwest of the city centre, right along the A41 Tettenhall Road.

What's in a Name? The Story of Newbridge

The name 'Newbridge' has a long history! The first time anyone wrote about this area was in 1286. Back then, it was called Novo Ponte. This is a Latin phrase that means 'New Bridge'. This suggests there was an even older bridge here before.

This important bridge helped people cross the river Smestow and later, the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. It was part of the main road connecting London and Holyhead. By 1332, people were already using the shorter name, 'Newbridge'.

A Look Back: Newbridge's Past

In the early 1800s, the main road from London to Holyhead was changed. It was built to cross the valley on a raised path. This path went over both the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal (built in 1771) and the river Smestow.

The old canal bridge, built in the 1800s, needed an upgrade. The County Borough council of Wolverhampton built a new, stronger bridge in the 1930s. This new bridge could handle much more traffic.

Newbridge Today: Shops, Homes, and More

Today, Newbridge is home to several important places. You'll find Spurgeon's Child Care and Newbridge House care home here. It was also once the main office for Free Radio Shropshire & Black Country.

There's a busy shopping area near the entrance to Newbridge Crescent. Here you can find many shops and places to eat. These include well-known names like Domino's Pizza and Costcutter. There are also local favourites like Newbridge Wines and Chopsticks Cantonese take away. You can also grab a bite at Newbridge Fryer fish and chip shop. For relaxation, there's Iridium Spa, and for a new look, Ego and Headley hairdressing. The Newbridge pub and carvery is also a popular spot.

The Co-op store in the area closed in June 2022. It then reopened as a One Stop shop. A bit further down the A41 Tettenhall Road, you'll find Bernard Savage Bespoke Kitchens. The York Hotel and Mother India restaurant are also located nearby.

Learning in Newbridge: Local Schools

Newbridge is home to some great schools. The Newbridge Preparatory School is located on Newbridge Crescent. This school has been an independent day school in Wolverhampton since 1937. It moved to its current site in Newbridge Crescent in 1949. The school was first started by a well-known local surgeon.

Wolverhampton Girls High School is also nearby. You can find it on St Judes Road West.

Sports and Fun in Newbridge

If you love sports, Newbridge has something for you! The Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club is based on Newbridge Crescent. This club offers great facilities for tennis and squash players.

You can also find pedestrian access to the new Wolverhampton Wanderers FC training ground from Newbridge Avenue. This makes it easy for people to get to the training ground located in nearby Compton.