The surrounding areas are Handsworth, Hockley, Ladywood, Soho, Smethwick and Rotton Park.

It is named after a common, formerly at the junction of Winson Green Road and Handsworth New Road.

Most of Winson Green remained open heathland until the mid-19th century when an asylum, workhouse, prison and hospital were built there.

Three railways and two canals were also cut through the area which developed into a small town with a commercial centre on Dudley Road.

Winson Green contains rows of Victorian terraces with an increasing proportion of modern homes on mainly ex-industrial brownfield sites.

It is still dominated by its hospital and prison, now two of the biggest employers in Birmingham.