Archaeologists have shown that there has been a settlement at Castle Bromwich since before Stone Age times. As a high point adjacent to a natural crossing point on the river Tame it was an obvious location for a community to thrive.

Add in the evidence found of a Roman Fort sitting on their road to Chester and a Norman Motte and Bailey and it is clear that this suburb, now shared between Solihull and Birmingham, has a rich history.

The jewels in its crown today, though, only reach back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when the Manor was in the hands of the Devereux and then Bridgeman families, who between them built the Hall and rebuilt the church.

This short stroll around the historic heart of the village has several starting points, depending on your plan. The Coach and Horses supplies typical pub ambience and food. The walled gardens, accessed from a car park beside the church, are a lovely re-creation of its original Baroque self.

The descriptions that follows assumes that you have parked at the Castle Bromwich Hall Hotel (pictured above), built in the 1500s by Sir Edward Devereux, MP for Tamworth. It now offers bar snacks, afternoon teas and a traditional restaurant in fine old wood panelled comfort.

Leaving the old Hall, walk straight down the avenue of trees that mark the old entrance drive to Bradford Road, turn left and walk along to the old village green, donated to the village in 1895. Stroll its footpaths to the other end, and follow the road to turn left onto Chester Road.

Follow Chester Road for a while and then turn right into Kyter Lane. Walk along it to then turn left into Rectory Lane, at the end of which sits the listed Rectory itself. This was built for the Earl of Bradford and subsequently gifted to the Church.

Turn right after the Rectory and stroll around to appreciate the magnificent Church itself, rebuilt in the 1700s by Sir John Bridgeman II on a site used for worship since before Norman times.

Then enter the Car Park for the Gardens, which are well worth the optional tour at this point. On the right hand side of this Car Park is a gate into the open ground beyond.

Here a variety of paths lead around the high ground, overlooking the Tame, the former Castle Bromwich Airfield and now the M6, to lead back out at the other end of the Hall and Gardens walls, onto Birmingham Road, and back to the Hall itself.