The dedicated team of artisanal florists at Urban Designs Flowers have the knowledge and expertise to create floral arrangements for any occasion, and with a same day delivery service are confident that they can provide these arrangements whenever a customer needs them. Passionate not only about flowers, but also the town and region on their doorstep, our florists find inspiration on a regular basis. It is the belief of the team that after sharing some history of their home town, and the natural beauty that surrounds them, others will be inspired to take advantage of their experience and expertise.
Despite having a population in excess of 123,000, Solihull is a largely rural historic market town in Warwickshire, south of the centre of England. Approximately three quarters of the town is designated as a green belt, and there are a large number of parks, gardens and nature reserves within the city’s boundary. Solihull is situated on the banks of the River Blythe and located in what is known as the Forest of Arden area, which is why it still retains such a vast array of wildlife habitats and green spaces.
An Iron Age Hill Fort at Berry Mound was the site of the earliest known settlement in the area, and dates back to the first century BC. It covered approximately 11 acres, and sat near the River Cole, which feeds the River Blythe. This river is thought to have been the border between the Corieltauvi and Cornovii and formed a junction between the two powerful Celtic Tribes. As the Forest of Arden was so dense, there are no examples of Roman roads which passed through it, although there were Roman settlements in the vicinity, notably at Coleshill, Metchley Fort and Alcester. Due to deforestation, largely as a result of the Industrial Revolution, and emparkment , a process whereby large mansions and estates were created at the expense of local villages, very little of the Forest of Arden remains.
Despite the loss of much of the forest for which the area is named, there remain some stunning, and surprising examples of the nature within the town and on its doorstep. Clowes Wood is a local nature reserve which is thought to have been wooded since the last Ice Age, although it almost clearly in the early twentieth century. Despite being bisected by the railway, there are a number of habitats here including wet meadow, heathland and woodland. Flowers such as lily of the valley, bilberry and cow wheat thrive here, and this 45 hectare site is also home to badgers, red fox and over fifty species of breeding birds.
Malvern and Brueton Park is located in the town centre and is both a town park and local nature reserve. Despite being on a relatively narrow strip of land the character of the site differs vastly along its length. At the Malvern end of the 130 acre, Green Flag Award winning site, there are more formal areas, including flowerbeds teeming with flowers and insect life. It is this part of the site that offers inspiration to florists, and it also showcases what they can do. The Brueton Park end of the site is the nature reserve and mostly dedicated to showcasing native tree species. It also contains the River Blythe Site of Special Scientific Interest, not to mention a carpet of wildflowers.
Being surrounded by such a wealth of nature, it is little wonder the team of florists at Urban Designs Flowers are so inspired. Our florists have the knowledge, passion and expertise required to brighten any occasion with original bouquets and floral arrangements.