Sutton Coldfield

Sutton Coldfield is a town in the West Midlands known for its Royal pedigree – it was given Royal Town status by King Henry VIII in 1528. The town has a number of historic buildings and parks, as well as being home to Sutton Park, one of the largest urban parks in Europe.

Sutton Coldfield’s history can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon era, when it was known as suthtun. The name ‘Sutton’ is thought to derive from the Old English suth and tun, meaning ‘south town’. In the Domesday Book of 1086, Sutton Coldfield was recorded as having eight manors.

The town was granted a charter by King Henry III in 1243, making it a market town. It was here that Edward VI granted the first charter for a grammar school in 1527, which led to the founding of Sutton Grammar School (now Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls).

Sutton Coldfield’s coat of arms, granted by King Henry VIII, includes three suttons (a type of wildfowl) and two chevrons, which are thought to represent the town’s links with the Royal family.

Today, Sutton Coldfield is a thriving town with a number of independent businesses and a lively town centre. The town is well-connected, with good transport links to Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

Created: 7  August  2022  Edited: 3  April  2025