Living in Wolverhampton
Located in the West Midlands, Wolverhampton is a mid-sized city with a population of about 260,000 individuals. Despite its relatively smaller size, Wolverhampton is famous for its long and rich heritage as a commercial and manufacturing powerhouse (with engineering remaining key to the city’s economy). With a local history dating back to the Middle Ages, the city beautifully interweaves its centuries-old architectural treasures with modern redevelopment efforts, seamlessly blending past and present from the city centre to the suburbs.
Wolverhampton’s name is taken from its founder, Wulfrun. Wulfrun was a Saxon woman who was given the land in 985, upon which she established a ministry church. Over the centuries, Wolverhampton became a major hub for industrial innovation. The mining and steel industries put Wolverhampton on the map, transforming the area from an agricultural market town to an urban centre, with a rapidly growing population.
Today Wolverhampton is a lively Midlands city offering residents all the perks of urban life with more affordable living costs. From classic pubs, and local shops, to fine dining restaurants, and their famous orange chips, the city has something to offer for everyone. A night on the town can include live entertainment in venues like the Grand Theatre and Civic Hall or a song and dance at Popworld. During daylight hours, The Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Light House Media Centre offer exciting visual art exhibitions as well. Root for the Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club – Wolverhampton’s pride and joy – and you’ll feel the city’s sense of community immediately.
Wolverhampton’s prime central UK location makes it a great residential area even for those working outside the city. With its fast and convenient transport links, Wolverhampton is only minutes away from Birmingham and about an hour’s journey from Manchester. The city’s beautiful greenery, in areas such as West Park and Phoenix Park, along with its lower cost of living, gives Wolverhampton a pleasingly suburban feel with all the amenities you would expect with a big city lifestyle.
To learn more about living in Wolverhampton, see our guide below.
Transport
Wolverhampton is an extremely well-connected city thanks to its fantastic public transport options via bus, train, or tram.
The West Midlands Metro has a single route, Line 1, that connects Birmingham and Wolverhampton through 28 stops.
Wolverhampton connects to the National Rail Transport for Wales, London Northwestern Railway, West Midlands Railway, Avanti West Coast, and Cross Country lines.
With the National Rail, a trip to Manchester only takes a bit more than an hour and less than two hours to London. A trip to Birmingham takes less than 20 minutes!
Things to do, places to eat & drink
Here are some of our favourite places to visit in Wolverhampton.
This pub is a community classic in Wolverhampton, with its British staples and grand selection of beers on draught. Come in for a pint and order some sweet potato wedges or indulge in a delicious Belgian chocolate cake. Horse and Jockey goes beyond the regular pub offering too, and also various home-baked goods in addition to the delicious main menu.
What’s better than trying a little bit of everything? Café Maxsim Tapas Restaurant specialises in pan-European cuisine, from creamy carbonara to juicy chicken and shrimp dishes. The tapas are extremely affordable and come in generous portions, meaning you can order a sampling without breaking the bank. Café Maxsim is also BYOB, so you can bring your tipple of choice to enjoy alongside your dinner (and save money to spend at the pub later)!
Wolverhampton’s best Indian restaurant, the Indigo, combines authentic south Asian recipes with a modern twist. In addition to Indian staples, like tandoori, shashlik, and tikka, the restaurant also has a lounge area where mixologists create innovative drinks to go with your meal. For something sweet, go for the gorkha karahi – a fruit and nut coconut cream dish.
Built-in the late 19th century, Wightwick Manor and Gardens is a Victorian estate designed by Midlands architect Edward Ould for Liberal MP Geoffrey Mander’s parents. In the mid-20th century, the estate was accepted by the National Trust and now serves as a popular cultural Midlands attraction. Walk through the grounds to see one of the largest public collections of art in Britain and take in the breath-taking views of the greenery during the spring and summer times.
When you’re looking for a night out on the town, the Grand Theatre is the perfect spot to take in some of Britain’s greatest talent. First opened in 1894, the Grand Theatre has had many greats on its stage, including Charlie Chaplin, Sir Henry Irving, and Prime Minister David Lloyd George. Today, the theatre showcases the UK’s finest touring companies in theatre, musicals, comedies, and more.
The Wolverhampton Arty Gallery has a fantastic collection of art spanning over 300 years. The gallery was opened in 1884 and was recently modernised to create additional exhibition spaces. Today, you can see over 20,000 pieces of art in the gallery, ranging from the Georgian to modern eras.
If you’re considering a move to Wolverhampton, or if you are already there and looking to upgrade to a stunning new home, all of our listings are available on our website. You can use our convenient listing filters to find properties suited to your needs, whether you’re looking to rent with a pet or outdoor space is an absolute must-have. Alternatively, you can give us a call - just tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll get busy looking for you!
Author: Julia Kaluta
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