Pretty village with rich foodie past loved by visitors, but there’s one major downside
- UK Hidden Gems
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
A pretty village near Birmingham has become a favourite among visitors thanks to its charming homes and fascinating past, but there’s one thing many people don’t know about it.
This Birmingham spot was built in the late 1800s by the famous Cadbury brothers, the founders of Cadbury chocolate, when they wanted to expand their business.
Richard and George Cadbury chose land near the city centre beside a stream called the Bourn, realising it would be the perfect location to grow their chocolate empire.
The brothers also wanted their workers to enjoy a good quality of life, so they designed comfortable homes near the factory for them.
In 1893, they started building a model village across 120 acres, creating a community filled with open spaces and well-built houses. That village became Bournville.
One of the main attractions today is Cadbury World, where visitors can discover how chocolate is made, explore the brand’s history, and even try a 4D cinema experience. Guests can also take part in fun activities like piping and tempering chocolate.
Cadbury World has earned over 3,000 five-star reviews on TripAdvisor. One visitor wrote: “We did the full experience and the character afternoon tea, and it was amazing from start to finish!
There was so much to do, and we loved learning about all the history. The 4D cinema was brilliant too!”
The only real catch to this chocolate-box village is that there are no pubs – and that’s because of the Cadburys themselves. The family were Quakers, and when they built Bournville, they decided alcohol wouldn’t be allowed.
Only one shop in the area now sells alcohol, after permission was finally granted in 2015.
Apart from that, Bournville remains a “dry village”, with even the local Tesco having its licence request turned down. Homeowners also have to follow strict rules set by the Bournville Village Trust to preserve the area’s traditional look and feel.
The village is also home to Selly Manor Museum, a fascinating attraction inside two historic buildings linked to the Cadbury family.
Visitors can explore Tudor life, learning how people cooked, dressed and lived centuries ago while wandering through rooms like the parlour, kitchen and great hall.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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