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An introduction
A tour of Selly Manor
Minworth Greaves
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The Tudors
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Selly Manor History
About Bournville
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Play a Tudor Game
Selly Manor Sayings
Victorian Bournville
Back to Local History
Queen Victoria's long reign started in 1837. Under her Britain became the richest country in the world with a powerful empire covering a quarter of the earth!
The population increased and towns grew bigger and the spread of the railways was rapid. Many people enjoyed a good standard of life, but for most they worked long hours and lived in dirty, crowded houses.
George Cadbury built good quality housing in the village of Bournville to help combat the poverty that was evident in Birmingham. A walk around the village even today shows the excellent quality of housing that was provided. In comparison there were the back to back houses in Birmingham now mostly demolished.
Find out more about Bournville in our trail click here:
Visit the last remaining back to backs in Birmingham:
Find out more about Victorian history: