     cradley heath () is a small town and ward in the rowley regis area of the sandwell metropolitan borough, west midlands, england. cradley heath is often confused with neighbouring cradley in halesowen, although the two places have long been in separate local authorities, and until 1966 were in separate counties. a part of the black country, cradley heath is one of several towns in central england still recognisable from their early 20th century appearance. many of the shops and houses in the high street are still standing after 100 years, though some were demolished in the mid-2000s to make way for a bypass, to ease congestion in the town centre. ==history==  cradley heath was originally an area of heathland between cradley, netherton, and old hill, in the staffordshire parish of rowley regis. the residents of cradley had grazing rights, subject to an annual payment to the lord of the manor. as on other commons in the black country, cottages were built encroaching on the heath. these were occupied by nailmakers, amongst other industries. one landmark in the growth of cradley heath as a distinct community was the creation of cradley heath baptist church, in december 1833. this was the first christian church meeting in cradley heath,rev. idris williams, a history of the four ways baptist church, cradley heath, staffs. centenary souvenir, 1933. and has the distinction of having the first afro-caribbean minister in britain, rev. [[george cos
Areas_of_Sandwell Post_towns_in_the_B_postcode_area Towns_in_the_West_Midlands_(county)