Bournville Through Time

Just 4 miles from the centre of Britain’s second city, Bournville remains a quiet testimony to the vision of George Cadbury. Much of the history of Bournville is well-documented and, compared with the City of Birmingham, little has changed. The distinctive character of the area is captured in the visual impact and variety of its architecture resulting in pleasing street scenes, which typifies the Bournville of today. The original village is historically relevant for its contrast with the then city centre slums and the mundane housing typical of working-class housing provision in Edwardian Birmingham. From the outset it was planned to build housing for key factory personnel of the Cadbury chocolate factory. This unique selection of old and new images and informative captions is essential reading for anybody who knows and loves Bournville.