Sutton Coldfield factfile

How to get to Sutton Coldfield
The former town of Sutton Coldfield now forms part of the City of Birmingham. Often abbreviated simply to Sutton, the town is easily accessible from the M6 motorway and within easy reach of Birmingham International Airport.

Shopping in Sutton Coldfield
The town's retail heart is centred around the Mall complex and the Red Rose Centre. For a shopping experience with a distinct local flavour, visit the Mitchells Art & Craft Centre, where you can browse collections of clothes, jewellery, bags, art and cookware by local and national producers and designers.

Eating out in Sutton Coldfield
With its vibrant Asian community, Sutton has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best places in Britain for curry. The many restaurants and pubs of the "Boldmere Balti belt" offer a variety of excellent Asian food, and the trend here towards BYOB (bring your own bottle) helps keep the prices down.

Things to see and do around Sutton Coldfield
In spite of its urban location, Sutton Coldfield is well known for its 2,400 acres of beautiful natural parkland.

A former deer park presented as a gift by Henry VIII to Bishop Vesey, Sutton Park is one of the largest parks in Europe and contains the last remnants of the vast forest that once covered much of the Midlands. Today, visitors to the park can enjoy walking, cycling and horse-riding. You can sail and fish on the park's seven lakes. Look out for the wild ponies who still roam the parkland.

Nearby Plantsbrook Local Nature Reserve and Woodgate Valley County Park offer a number of natural pools, surrounded by woodland, wetlands and wildflower meadows. Both offer a range of events throughout the year.

Landmarks in Sutton Coldfield
There are two urban conservation areas in the town, the High Street, King Edward's Square, Upper Clifton Road, Mill Street, and the northern end of Coleshill Street are protected by the High Street conservation area, which also includes the Holy Trinity Church.

The Anchorage Road conservation area, meanwhile, protects a number of architecturally significant buildings, such as Moat House.

Famous people from Sutton Coldfield
Many of Sutton's sons and daughters have found fame in the performing arts, including the late Arthur Lowe (Captain Mainwaring in Dad's Army), and actor Dennis Waterman (Minder). TV presenter Cat Deeley and acting brothers James and Oliver Phelps of Harry Potter fame are from Sutton Coldfield too...