The designated area provides a traditional village setting for St Peter's, the parish church of Harborne, which is mediaeval in origin but was rebuilt in the Victorian era.

It also contains Bishops Croft (1780), a Georgian brick mansion that has been the official residence of the Bishop of Birmingham since 1905, and Harborne Hall (1850), a Victorian red-brick mansion which is now a conference and training centre owned by the VSO.

Other buildings of interest include Saint Peters School (1821) and the white pebble-dashed Bell Inn (circa 1810).

The designated area is enhanced by low density housing and screened by Harborne Cricket Ground and Grove Lane Recreation Ground.

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Saint Peter's is the centrepiece of the Harborne Old Village Conservation Area. It is a Saxon Church rebuilt in the 19th century; only the west tower (circa 1340) has survived from the mediaeval period.

Visitors will note that the door, belfry and clock on the west tower are out of line when viewed from the vicarage; this is due to poor workmanship since the tower was completed after the Black Death (1348) when there was a shortage of skilled craftsmen.

The interior contains the traditional symbols of the Four Evangelists above the west door; Mathew is represented by an angel, Luke by an ox, John by an eagle and Mark by a lion.

Other treasures include marble and alabaster statues of Jesus, Saint Peter and the four Apostles on the pulpit; six figures of angels and some impressive Victorian tiling in the sanctuary, and an East Window dedicated to the 19th century artist David Cox who is interred in the churchyard.