Is Solihull in Birmingham? It has a Birmingham postcode and is situated right next to Birmingham Airport. But, as those who live here know, this unique West Midlands town (with its own council) is remarkably different from the Second City. In fact, Solihull can feel far, far away from the hustle and bustle of Birmingham…
In a new study from Sell House Fast, Solihull has been crowned the most peaceful place to live in England—that’s something Birmingham could never be accused of—based on a “sensory disturbance index” that compares everyday factors like noise complaints, light pollution, derelict buildings, sewage works and greenhouse gas emissions.
Solihull scored the lowest in the country (2.28 out of 10) to be crowned the calmest area in England—beating Wiltshire (2nd), South Gloucestershire (4th) and Shropshire (8th) in the process. Compared with major cities (or even towns of a similar size), residents here experience very little environmental disruption.
What makes Solihull so peaceful?
Noise complaints are among the lowest in the country at 2.7 per 1,000 people, and greenhouse gas emissions sit well below the national average. Meanwhile, only 9.3% of land is affected by artificial light at night, meaning residents enjoy far darker skies than in most parts of England—places like Kensington and Chelsea are fully exposed to artificial light.
Plus, if you’re worried about living near sewage works, then moving to Solihull could be for you. There aren’t any within the borough. Moreover, vacant dwellings here sit at 7.8 per 1,000 people, compared to more than 21 per 1,000 in some of England’s older urban areas, such as Liverpool or Blackpool.
And, despite the constant development of its neighbour Birmingham, this tranquillity isn’t about to change anytime soon either. According to Solihull Council, over two-thirds of the area is designated as Green Belt land, which limits large-scale development and helps preserve its quiet character in the future.
The most peaceful places in England
- Solihull
- Wiltshire
- Peterborough
- South Gloucestershire
- Bromley
- St. Helens
- Wokingham
- Shropshire
- Wigan
- Cheshire West and Chester
You can learn more about peace and quiet in England here.