Living in Walsall
Walsall Council is one of the seven districts that comprise the West Midlands County, which by population is the largest metropolitan area outside Greater London.
The borough of Walsall is located in the north of the West Midlands, immediately north of Birmingham. It is one of the four 'Black Country' boroughs along with Wolverhampton, Dudley and Sandwell. Walsall's population at the 2001 census was 253,499.
In addition to Walsall's town centre with its excellent range of shops and well-known street market, the borough has a wide variety of district and local centres, each with its own distinctive character and appeal including; Aldridge, Bloxwich, Brownhills, Darlaston and Willenhall.
The environment
Walsall has a surprising diversity of rural and urban areas. Valuable environmental assets include extensive countryside, green spaces, wildlife habitats and urban heritage. Together these provide countryside and urban 'green space' that offer natural beauty and recreation. For instance, the canal towpaths and disused railway lines that provide a walking network are also wildlife corridors; the hedgerows and clumps of trees that characterise an 18th century landscape are also home to insects and birds.
Recreation, leisure and entertainment
Walsall borough offers a wide range of opportunities for outdoor recreation, including:
- The Beacon Regional Park: one of the largest areas of countryside in the West Midlands, with picnic sites, nature trails, information centres, sports acilities and the Beacon Way, a long distance footpath.
- Walsall Arboretum: a large Victorian town park where many activities are available including tennis and bowls, a boating lake, putting green and nine hole golf course. Every autumn the Arboretum is also the site of the famous Walsall Illuminations which attracts over a million visitors from all over the UK.
- The Swag, Aldridge: a lake used for sailing, canoeing and bird watching.
- Golf Courses: which are also valuable to landscape and nature conservation.
- 23 miles of canals which provide boating, walking and cycling activities.
There is a vast range of evening entertainment catering for most tastes. Night clubs, good pubs and wine bars, a casino, a multi-screen cinema and a ten-pin bowling centre are amongst the choice of venues.
Walsall has a unique Art Gallery which is internationally renowned. The New Art Gallery is the home of the Garman Ryan Collection. Other museums include the Leather Museum the Lock Museum and the Canal Museum.
Sports
Sports lovers can enjoy Nationwide league football with Walsall Football Club. "The Saddlers" are based at Bank's Stadium.
Transport links
By Road
Walsall has direct access to the motorway network with junctions 7, 9 and 10 of the M6 just a quick drive from the town centre. The M5 and M54 are also within easy reach whilst the A5/A38 roundabout at Muckley Corner just outside Lichfield provides a quick link to the East Midlands and the M1 north and M42 east.
By Rail
Walsall Station has commuter links to Birmingham, Rugeley (via Cannock), Stafford and Wolverhampton. Inter-city connections are available at Birmingham, New Street and Wolverhampton. For national enquiries Tel: 08457 484950.
By Bus
Walsall is well served by local bus services. For details of public transport operating in the West Midlands call the Centro Hotline telephone 0121 200 2700.
By Air
Walsall is less than 30 minutes by car from Birmingham International Airport. For flight information telephone 0121 767 5511.
Tourist information
History of Walsall
Please see our Walsall in history page
Contact us
Strategic Recruitment Team
Walsall Council
3rd Floor, Civic Centre
Darwall Street
Walsall
WS1 1TP
Telephone 01922 655673
Textphone 0845 111 2910
Email recruitment@walsall.gov.uk