The surrounding areas are Lee Bank, Balsall Heath, Bordesley, Digbeth, Edgbaston, Sparkbrook and Southside.

Highgate is named after a "hayne gaet" (an ancient high road) that followed the current route of the Moseley Road.

It was laid out as a middle-class suburb in the 18th century and a row of Georgian townhouses have survived on Moseley Street, next to Highgate Park.

Highate was redeveloped as slum housing in 1860-1914.

The slums were cleared and redeveloped as council estates with a high proportion of tower blocks, maisonettes and flats in 1950-70.

Several tower blocks have been demolished and many homes replaced by modern terraced and semi-detached townhouses; however, Highgate is still characterised by sixties-style public housing.

Highgate is hemmed-in by the A4540 ring-road and A38 Bristol Street which make it difficult to reach the neighbouring areas of Sparkbrook, Edgbaston and Lee Bank.

An industrial zone divides Highgate from Digbeth.

There are also industrial zones between Sherlock Street and Charles Henry Street and Emily Street and Darwin Street.

This website contains more information about Highgate.