To King’s Norton, in Worcester shire, distant five Mile.

You leave Birmingham, either through Alcester-street or up Camphill, where there is a half-timbered house, inhabited by Mr. John Simcox, an attorney.  In a field nearly opposite there is perhaps the best view over the town of Birmingham that can be taken.  A short distance beyond, on the right, is a row of houses, to which is given the name of Highgate.  A little farther, on the left, is a tan-yard, upon an extensive scale, the property of Mr. Avery Homer.

In a field near the two mile stone, there is a grand panoramic view of Birmingham, and the adjacent country for several miles on each side of it, which is seen to the greatest advantage in an afternoon.  A little beyond is Moseley hall, an elegant stone building, erected about twenty-five years since, by the late John Taylor, Esq. and is now the residence of his widow.

The village of Moseley has nothing to attract attention.  The place of worship is a chapel of ease to King’s Norton:  it has an ancient stone tower, but the body of it has been rebuilt of late years with brick; the officiating clergyman being the Rev. Edward Palmer.  In this neighbourhood William Villers, Esq. resides, who has for a number of years been an active magistrate for the town of Birmingham.  A little beyond Moseley hall there is on the right an extensive and picturesque view over Edgbaston and the adjacent country, with the monument on the right.  Proceeding only a few yards farther, the scene varies in a considerable degree; the monument being on the left, a glass-house in the centre, and the front of Moseley hall in full view; over the roof of which is seen some of the buildings in Birmingham.

Upon a turn of the road, the eye is gratified with a fine view over Bromsgrove Lickey, Frankley Beeches, and the adjacent hills; with the spire of King’s Norton church on the left.  You next pass through the village of King’s Heath, and about one mile before you reach King’s Norton, there is on the right a most noble, picturesque, and variegated view over an extensive country, diversified with wood, hill, and dale; the Worcester canal being in the valley.  When you arrive at the finger post, the eye is delighted with a grand view over the country; the village and church being in front..

King’s Norton

The land for a considerable distance round this village being the property of the crown, as King’s-heath, King’s-wood, etc.; denote, King Edward 6th founded a free grammar school on the north east side of the church-yard, and endowed it with the sum of fifteen pounds per annum, (the inhabitants at that time preferring money to land), for a master and usher; which still remains the same to the present day.  In the time of King William 3d, when the land-tax was first established, the inhabitants, to express their loyalty, gave an account of their estates, at the full value, and on that account they have ever