[2] The remains of the fortified village, protected by up to three series of earth banks, dating back to the 1st century BC, covered approximately 11 acres (4.5 hectares).

However, the remains of two banks of earth works can still be seen from the North Worcestershire Path which runs across the site and commences in Aqueduct Road, Major's Green.

During the Early Modern Period, Shirley became a stopping-off point for travelers and many of the pubs which remain today, such as the Red Lion and Saracens Head, are situated along this section of highway.

This footfall, combined with the relatively secluded nature of the area, led to ‘sportsmen’ coming in large numbers to indulge in banned pursuits; such as bull-baiting, prize fighting and cock-fighting as well as the drinking and gambling which went alongside it.

[8] With the advent of the Modern period in the early twentieth century, the population of Shirley was approximately 3,000 people.

This then helped support the relocation of people to the suburbs along the route from Snow Hill railway station to Stratford upon Avon and on to Cheltenham.

Along with adoption of the private motor vehicle, it was the railway that has fueled the expansion of Shirley during the twentieth century, particularly during the inter-war and immediate post-war periods.

Princess Margaret presented the borough's charter and the ceremony was held at Shirley's Odeon Cinema.

This established the West Midlands county which came into existence in April 1974, incorporating the metropolitan borough of Solihull and thereby also Shirley.

The Saracens Head pub, dating back to 1747 as a coaching inn, was where tolls were paid to use the road from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon until 1872.

The Plume of Feathers, which was the site of many local 'sports' and instrumental in the growth of Shirley, was built in the early 1800s at the junction of Bills Lane and Stratford Road.

There are also plans to develop a large industrial park on Blackford Road side of Dog Kennel Lane, occupying the TRW site.

Mill Lodge, Shirley Heath, Hasluck's Green, Peterbrook, Sharman's Cross, Woodlands, Streetsbrook, Blossomfield, Burman, Tudor Grange Primary Academy (Previously named St James's C:E) and Our Lady of the Wayside R.C.

Shirley has a public library and park, and some small patches of woodland at Bills Wood and Palmers Rough.

The park itself was opened in 1927 by Dr James Coole Kneale as part of the grounds to his house, which stood next to the Saracens Head pub.

It opened as a mass centre in a former house known as 'Heathfield' on Stratford Road, served by the Church of St Augustine in Solihull, in June 1934.

In 1962, Father Patrick O'Mahony, a notable human rights activist, was appointed parish priest and immediately instigated the building of a larger church on the site of 'Heathfield'.

[23] The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal skirts the western edge of Shirley, and it is possible to walk along this to Kings Norton four miles (six kilometres) away, or Stratford upon Avon, further in the other direction.

Shirley is also served by several bus routes, including the 4A, 5, 6, 49, and 76, all operated by National Express West Midlands which all stop on the Stratford Road in the town centre.