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Ancient Birmingham: the 10 original streets of Birmingham that shaped the city

Joe Forte
·3-min read
Icknield Street or Ryknild Street, is a Roman road which passes through Birmingham, including Sutton Coldfield. What is today referred to as the Icknield Street road acquired the name Ryknild Street during the 12th century. A preserved section of the Roman road can still be seen at Sutton Park (Photo: Flickr photo (Elliott Brown))
Icknield Street or Ryknild Street, is a Roman road which passes through Birmingham, including Sutton Coldfield. What is today referred to as the Icknield Street road acquired the name Ryknild Street during the 12th century. A preserved section of the Roman road can still be seen at Sutton Park (Photo: Flickr photo (Elliott Brown))

We’ve taken a look back at the city’s ancient history to discover Birmingham’s oldest streets.

When we think of Birmingham’s history, we often think of the city’s contribution art, culture and music - it’s the home of Black Sabbath and the Peaky Blinders. The city also led the Industrial Revolution from 1760 to 1840 and was hailed as the ‘City of a Thousand Trades’.

But we’d be amiss to forget the older history of Brum. The development of Birmingham as a city is said to date back to 1166 when Lord of the Manor Peter de Bermingham obtained a charter to hold a market on his land around the site where the Bullring is today.

Park Street has also been named as one of the city’s oldest, with the street in existence in 1296 according to the museum and art gallery
Park Street has also been named as one of the city’s oldest, with the street in existence in 1296 according to the museum and art gallery

And with transformation of Birmingham city centre reaching new heights with all the skyscrapers popping up you may not realise that some of the city’s most ancient streets which you walk on today date back centuries.

Here we take a look at some of the oldest streets in Birmingham which still remain in the city today. Let’s take a look:

New Street is first mentioned as novus vicus in the surviving borough rental records of 1296, at which point it was partly built upon with burgage plots, but was also the site of most of the few open fields remaining within the boroughs
New Street is first mentioned as novus vicus in the surviving borough rental records of 1296, at which point it was partly built upon with burgage plots, but was also the site of most of the few open fields remaining within the boroughs
According to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, some of Birmingham’s best-known streets today were already in existence by 1296. This included Egebastonstret - today known as Edgbaston Street
According to the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, some of Birmingham’s best-known streets today were already in existence by 1296. This included Egebastonstret - today known as Edgbaston Street
Birmingham’s High Street has also been named as one of the city’s oldest, with the street in existence in 1296 according to the museum and art gallery
Birmingham’s High Street has also been named as one of the city’s oldest, with the street in existence in 1296 according to the museum and art gallery
Accordig to historian Charles Anthony Vince, there is a deed from 1437 that concerns a property on Moor Street
Accordig to historian Charles Anthony Vince, there is a deed from 1437 that concerns a property on Moor Street
Vince also wrote that Digbeth High Street was the city’s most ancient street. Although its first recorded appearance was in 1553. We do know that The iconic pub , the Old Crown on the High Street is Birmingham’s oldest pub, dating back to 1368
Vince also wrote that Digbeth High Street was the city’s most ancient street. Although its first recorded appearance was in 1553. We do know that The iconic pub , the Old Crown on the High Street is Birmingham’s oldest pub, dating back to 1368
There is a deed from 1454 that mentions Dale End. In the 18th century Dale End was the site of the Beast Market
There is a deed from 1454 that mentions Dale End. In the 18th century Dale End was the site of the Beast Market
Previously known as Chappell Street in the 1500s, the street was renamed Bull Street ater the Old Bull Inn pub which once stood on the street. It’s located next to Corporation Street
Previously known as Chappell Street in the 1500s, the street was renamed Bull Street ater the Old Bull Inn pub which once stood on the street. It’s located next to Corporation Street
The street was previously called Dudwall Lane, then changed to Dudley Lane, then to Dudley Street, part of which still exists today.
The street was previously called Dudwall Lane, then changed to Dudley Lane, then to Dudley Street, part of which still exists today.
circa 1840: Saint Martin’s in the Bull Ring and High Street, Birmingham
circa 1840: Saint Martin’s in the Bull Ring and High Street, Birmingham