Ward End facts for kids
Ward End is a part of the city of Birmingham, England. It is located between areas like Saltley, Hodge Hill and Stechford. Ward End is also home to Ward End Park, a popular public park that has been open for over 100 years.
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Exploring Ward End's Location
Ward End connects with Alum Rock at a place called Pelham. The area of Ward End begins near Ward End Park on Washwood Heath Road. It stretches all the way to the Fox and Goose pub.
The Fox & Goose: A Local Landmark
The Fox & Goose is a well-known pub and shopping area. It is located in the eastern part of Ward End. This spot also marks the border where Ward End meets Stechford and Hodge Hill.
Discovering Ward End Park
Ward End Park first opened in 1904. It covers a large part of the Ward End area. This park is a typical English park and gets very busy in the summer. Inside the park, you can find Ward End Park House, which was built way back in 1759.
The park offers many fun things to do. It has two large courts for different sports. There are also two special nets for cricket practice. Kids can enjoy two big play areas. The park also has a car park for visitors.
Schools in Ward End
A secondary school called Ward End Hall Secondary Modern served this area from 1958. It later changed its name to Ward End Hall County Secondary School. In 1983, it became Park View Upper School. This school was for older students, from Year 10 to Year 13.
Another nearby school, Naseby, became Park View Lower School. This happened when the two schools joined together in the mid-1980s. However, the old Ward End Hall School closed down and was taken apart in the mid-1990s. Now, houses stand where the school used to be. Park View School was renamed Rockwood Academy in 2015. Other secondary schools nearby include Washwood Heath Academy in Washwood Heath. In Hodge Hill, you can find Hodge Hill College and Hodge Hill Girls' School.
Places to Worship in Ward End
Ward End has several places where people can worship. Christ Church is located on Burney Lane. There are also many mosques in the area. The George Grenfell Memorial Hall is behind Grenfell Baptist Church on Bankdale Road. Monk Road Methodist Church is now an African Pentecostal church.
Mysteries of Ward End
Ward End has been home to some interesting and unexplained events over the years.
The Thornton Road Mystery
In 1981 and 1982, people living on Thornton Road told the police about strange things happening. Stones were being thrown at their windows at night. The police found no fingerprints on the stones. They even used special cameras to watch at night, but saw no one throwing them. The stone-throwing continued, but no human was ever seen. The police eventually closed the case without solving it.
The "Birmingham Vampire" Story
In late 2004 and early 2005, a strange rumor spread. People said a man was biting people on Glen Park Road. He was described as a black man in his mid-20s and was called the "Birmingham Vampire." However, the police never received any reports of these attacks. Hospitals also had no patients with bite injuries. The local newspapers received many calls from worried people. This story was later called an urban legend, meaning it was a made-up tale.
Spooky Drews Lane
In 2006, a company called Tarmac made a list of Britain's "spookiest roads." Drews Lane in Ward End was ranked tenth. People often report hearing invisible cars on this road.
A Famous Resident from Ward End
Charlie Hall was a famous actor. He appeared in many films with the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Charlie Hall was born right here in Ward End.
