Perton

Perton is a vibrant village, boasting a rich history combined with modern amenities and community spirit.

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Kingswood Outdoor Education Centre

It derived its name from ‘Pear Town’, in reference to a type of pear which grows in the area.

Its beautifully-landscaped upper and lower lakes are perfect for families, walkers and the many waterfowl which live there – including the Canada geese which often waddle into the nearby centre for a visit.

Green open spaces abound with bluebell woods, play areas, a multi-use games area and Penk Meadow providing a rich outdoor life.

Perton hosts a number of events throughout the year, including Perton Carnival in May, which features a parade of floats, funfair, and entertainers. The annual Christmas lights switch-on is also a calendar highlight.

The village centre houses a large supermarket, specialist shops, a café, and a civic centre which provides a base for clubs, activities and entertainment.

Perton is also home to three pubs and a popular library, which hosts a number of events throughout the year and is home to a number of clubs and societies.

For all its recent construction, Perton remains in touch with its history. It was built on part of an old airfield - the remains of which surround the village as public open space and woodland. Local archaeologists have been at work unearthing first and second world war RAF buildings on the site.

Between the wars, the airfield was home to a flying circus.

Civilian aircraft manufacturers Boulton-Paul, of Wolverhampton, and Helliwells, of Walsall, used the site for testing their larger aircraft.

Dutch army divisions trained at Perton before liberating their country – and the village still holds links with them, despite the years which have passed.

Footpaths criss-cross the old airfield and a metal map points out the runways and taxiways and where the barracks were located.

Perton is also home to Kingswood Outdoor Education Centre; another breath of fresh air for visitors, making use of the old buildings and air raid shelters there as educational starting-point.

Kingswood is open to the public and offers play days, educational courses and outdoor activities in its woodland and natural habitats.

Outdoor learning takes place through involvement with pond life, birdwatching, small animals, tree-climbing and more.

Perton is proud of the centre and still offers the residential stays, community fun and team-building activities it started out with all those years ago.