About Walsall

Our About Walsall video gives an overview of Walsall and its attractions.  

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Transcript of the About Walsall video

Part of the black country that's famous for its industrial past, Walsall is fast becoming a progressive modern community. The borough is centred around Walsall but also includes five other smaller towns, plus numerous villages. And whilst some areas are densely populated, over a third of the borough is open park and farmland. A surprising fact for many who think of Walsall as a suburb of its more famous neighbour Birmingham. It's certainly accessible from a wide area, with the M6, M5, and M42 all close by, together with the Birmingham northern relief road. The west coast rail link opens up travel to all major UK cities, and Birmingham International Airport offers an array of worldwide destinations.

Urban regeneration programmes are transforming the borough, with the work already completed in Walsall's centre- the symbol of what's to come. Already it boasts an award winning civic square featuring fountains, sculptures, and a world class art gallery. Shopping and leisure areas have also been revitalised in the canal network where it once was in the heart of the area's industrial prosperity, is attracting visitors for short leisure breaks. The arboretum, full of unusual trees and shrubs, attracts more than one million visitors a year, particularly in the Autumn when it features the country's largest inland illuminations.

Walsall has always boasted a strong community spirit. Once centred around its leather industry, the football team is still known as the Saddlers. Now, that strength and spirit embodies the cultural diversity has brought to the area, without the tensions experienced in other boroughs. As a place to live, it offers the choice of urban and country living at affordable prices. And, as well as local amenities, Birmingham is a twenty minute drive offering everything you'd expect from a world class city - a first class culture, shopping and leisure attractions.

There are still areas of deprivation, but the ambitious plans evolving industrial base and a strong sense of community identity, will enable it to provide a bright future for its community. The challenge for the council now is for them to look to the future where local people can enjoy the same sense of pride in their council as they do in their borough.