Although now part of the Walsall Metropolitan Borough, Aldridge began as a small agricultural settlement, with farming being the most common occupation up until the 19th century. In the 1800s, Aldridge became an industrial town with coal mines and lime kilns. The coal and clay in the area prompted many to set up collieries and brickworks. During the 20th century, modern shops were built in the centre of Aldridge, as well as council buildings. Aldridge became an urban district in Staffordshire in 1894. Other villages within the district included Pelsall, Walsall Wood, Clayhanger and Streetly. These merged with Brownhills in 1966 to form Aldridge-Brownhills, and then became part of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in 1974. Aldridge is still known fondly by locals as ‘the village’. Green Lane provides safest parking a short distance away at N 52°36.055’ W 001°53.569’, postcode (WS9 0LN).