Barr Beacon

Hill, Mountain in Staffordshire

England

Barr Beacon

Kite flying at Barr Beacon east of Walsall The exact position in the Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve is uncertain.

The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
Kite flying at Barr Beacon east of Walsall Credit: Roger D Kidd

Barr Beacon, located in Staffordshire, England, is a prominent hill standing at an elevation of approximately 227 meters (745 feet) above sea level. It is situated near the towns of Walsall, Great Barr, and Aldridge. The hill is renowned for its commanding views of the surrounding area, including the West Midlands conurbation, Birmingham, and the Black Country.

This Staffordshire landmark is characterized by its distinctive beacon, a tall structure that historically served as a warning signal during times of danger or as a navigational aid. The current beacon, which was erected in 2012, stands at 18 meters (59 feet) high and is made of stainless steel, providing a modern interpretation of the traditional signal.

Barr Beacon is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The hill is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including various species of birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. It offers several walking trails that wind through the surrounding lush countryside, providing visitors with opportunities to explore the area's rich natural beauty.

Additionally, Barr Beacon is steeped in history. During World War II, the hill served as the site for the Royal Observer Corps' radar station, playing a crucial role in monitoring enemy aircraft. Today, remnants of the station can still be seen, serving as a reminder of the area's wartime significance.

Overall, Barr Beacon in Staffordshire is a picturesque hill that combines stunning panoramic views, natural diversity, and historical significance, making it an appealing destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Barr Beacon Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 52.574207/-1.9118655 or Grid Reference SP0697. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Kite flying at Barr Beacon east of Walsall The exact position in the Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve is uncertain.

The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
Kite flying at Barr Beacon east of Walsall
The exact position in the Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve is uncertain. The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
View north-west of Barr Beacon near Pheasey, Walsall This view was taken from the northern end of Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve, east of Walsall.

The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
View north-west of Barr Beacon near Pheasey, Walsall
This view was taken from the northern end of Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve, east of Walsall. The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
Farmland south of Barr Beacon near Walsall This view is south of Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve. On the right is the B4154 Beacon Road. That looks like a bus shelter by the road junction, and aerial imagery from c2023 shows that it has been demolished.

The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
Farmland south of Barr Beacon near Walsall
This view is south of Barr Beacon Local Nature Reserve. On the right is the B4154 Beacon Road. That looks like a bus shelter by the road junction, and aerial imagery from c2023 shows that it has been demolished. The image has been scanned from an Agfa CT18 transparency, circa 1968-1969.
Doe Bank Park This "park" is really just a farmer's field that the council bought to provide a recreation area for the people of Pheasey. Unfortunately a lot of the recreation that goes on here isn't what the local aldermen had in mind.
Doe Bank Park
This "park" is really just a farmer's field that the council bought to provide a recreation area for the people of Pheasey. Unfortunately a lot of the recreation that goes on here isn't what the local aldermen had in mind.
View towards Pheasey On the horizon you can see Birmingham city centre.
View towards Pheasey
On the horizon you can see Birmingham city centre.
West of Barr Beacon
West of Barr Beacon
Barr Beacon In recent years the Beacon has gained something of an unsavoury reputation, but this evening I took our daughter there for the first time and it was fine: windswept and peaceful. And the views are, of course, superb.
Barr Beacon
In recent years the Beacon has gained something of an unsavoury reputation, but this evening I took our daughter there for the first time and it was fine: windswept and peaceful. And the views are, of course, superb.
Great Barr countryside The view across three grid squares from the parish church. Beyond the pylons, the old hall and Beacon Heights.
Great Barr countryside
The view across three grid squares from the parish church. Beyond the pylons, the old hall and Beacon Heights.
Chapel Lane, Great Barr Taken from Great Barr churchyard (just outside the gridsquare) this is a view NE along Chapel Lane towards the Beacon.
Chapel Lane, Great Barr
Taken from Great Barr churchyard (just outside the gridsquare) this is a view NE along Chapel Lane towards the Beacon.
View from Barr Beacon The beacon gives extensive views over north Birmingham and surrounding districts. This is looking over toward Walsall
View from Barr Beacon
The beacon gives extensive views over north Birmingham and surrounding districts. This is looking over toward Walsall
The Three Crowns, Sutton Road, Walsall This is the pub at the top of Three Crowns Hill which replaced a much older one which was on the opposite side of the road.
I would like to add that the pub has now closed and is awaiting conversion (or demolition) to flats.
The Three Crowns, Sutton Road, Walsall
This is the pub at the top of Three Crowns Hill which replaced a much older one which was on the opposite side of the road. I would like to add that the pub has now closed and is awaiting conversion (or demolition) to flats.
Moat Farm, Sutton Road, Walsall. So called because there are the remains of a moat in the farm yard.
Moat Farm, Sutton Road, Walsall.
So called because there are the remains of a moat in the farm yard.
Little Johnson's Lane, Aldridge, Walsall. Just a short lane between Beacon Road and Sutton Road which is used as a rat run to avoid the traffic lights at the top of Beacon Hill.
Little Johnson's Lane, Aldridge, Walsall.
Just a short lane between Beacon Road and Sutton Road which is used as a rat run to avoid the traffic lights at the top of Beacon Hill.
The Foley Arms Public House, Walsall Situated on Foley Road West, Streetly.
The Foley Arms Public House, Walsall
Situated on Foley Road West, Streetly.
Blue House Farm Although much of this square is now covered by housing this farm still survives in the SW corner of the square.
Blue House Farm
Although much of this square is now covered by housing this farm still survives in the SW corner of the square.
Old schoolroom At first sight this looks like it could be an old Tin Tabernacle however it is marked on the 1940s OS map as a school.  Although showing signs of age it is still in use by a printing company.
Old schoolroom
At first sight this looks like it could be an old Tin Tabernacle however it is marked on the 1940s OS map as a school. Although showing signs of age it is still in use by a printing company.
Barr Common Looking south with Barr Common Road to the left and Longwood Road off to the right.
Barr Common
Looking south with Barr Common Road to the left and Longwood Road off to the right.
Wren's Nest from Barr Lakes Lane The buildings at Wren's Nest can be seen in the distance along with some of the inhabitants of the square in the foreground.
Wren's Nest from Barr Lakes Lane
The buildings at Wren's Nest can be seen in the distance along with some of the inhabitants of the square in the foreground.
Show me another place!

Barr Beacon is located at Grid Ref: SP0697 (Lat: 52.574207, Lng: -1.9118655)

Unitary Authority: Walsall

Police Authority: West Midlands

What 3 Words

///people.flags.twist. Near Streetly, West Midlands

Nearby Locations

Barr Beacon Barr Beacon

Related Wikis

Barr Beacon

Barr Beacon is a hill on the edge of Walsall, West Midlands, England, very near the border with Birmingham. It gives its name to nearby Great Barr (the...

Barr Beacon Reservoir

Barr Beacon Reservoir is a covered, hill-top drinking water reservoir at Barr Beacon, Walsall, England, opened in 1899. It is operated by South Staffs...

Barr Beacon School

Barr Beacon School, formerly Barr Beacon Language College, is a mixed secondary school in Walsall, England, which acquired Academy status in 2011, when...

Pheasey

Pheasey is a residential area of Walsall Metropolitan Borough in the West Midlands of England, often considered to be part of Great Barr. The area was...

Hay Head Quarry

Hay Head Quarry (grid reference SP048987) is a 5.8 hectares (14 acres) geological site of Special Scientific Interest in the West Midlands. The site was...

Streetly

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St. Margaret's Church, Great Barr

The Church Of St Margaret (also known as St Margaret's Church), is the Anglican parish church of Great Barr and is located on Chapel Lane, Walsall, England...

The Streetly Academy

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 52.574207,-1.9118655
Bus Stop
Beacon Rd / Pinfold Lane
Asset Ref: 0588302
Bin: no
Bus: yes
Lit: yes
Location: Beacon Road;Pinfold Lane
Naptan AtcoCode: 43000588302
Naptan Bearing: N
Naptan BusStopType: MKD
Naptan CommonName: Pinfold Lane
Naptan Indicator: adj
Naptan NaptanCode: nwmgwdaw
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: BHAMNWS
Naptan Status: ACT
Naptan StopType: BCT
Naptan Street: BEACON RD
Naptan Towards: Aldridge
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Route Ref: 25;934;936
Shelter: no
Source: WMCA
Towards: Walsall;Aldridge
Lat/Long: 52.5751713/-1.9129483
Bus Stop
Beacon Rd / Beacon Hill Farm
Bus: yes
Lit: yes
Location: Beacon Road;Beacon Hill Farm
Naptan AtcoCode: 43000588401
Naptan Bearing: N
Naptan BusStopType: MKD
Naptan CommonName: Beacon Hill Farm
Naptan Indicator: adj
Naptan NaptanCode: nwmgwdga
Naptan PlusbusZoneRef: BHAMNWS
Naptan Status: ACT
Naptan StopType: BCT
Naptan Street: BEACON RD
Naptan Towards: Aldridge
Naptan Verified: yes
Public Transport: platform
Route Ref: 25;934;936
Shelter: no
Source: WMCA
Towards: Walsall;Aldridge
Lat/Long: 52.5779769/-1.9132666
Parking
Access: yes
Fee: no
Source: GPS Survey
Lat/Long: 52.5780222/-1.9114657
Power: tower
Lat/Long: 52.5742326/-1.905402
Power: tower
Lat/Long: 52.5771109/-1.9068158
Blue Plaque: Barr Beacon Beeches
Historic: memorial
Operator: Walsall MBC
Lat/Long: 52.5725809/-1.9114339
Barr Beacon
Ele: 227
Natural: peak
Source: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Wikidata: Q4863102
Lat/Long: 52.574284/-1.9117596
Bus Stop
Beacon Rd / Pinfold Lane
Bin: no
Bus: yes
Lit: yes
Naptan AtcoCode: 43000588301
Naptan Bearing: S
Naptan BusStopType: MKD
Naptan CommonName: Pinfold Lane
Naptan Indicator: opp
Naptan NaptanCode: nwmgwdat
Naptan Status: ACT
Naptan StopType: BCT
Naptan Street: BEACON RD
Naptan Towards: Birmingham
Public Transport: platform
Route Ref: 934;936
Shelter: no
Source: WMCA
Tactile Paving: no
Lat/Long: 52.574101/-1.9127806
Barr Beacon War Memorial
Historic: memorial
Material: stone
Memorial: war_memorial
Tourism: viewpoint
Lat/Long: 52.5733895/-1.9110409
Access: permissive
Barrier: spikes
Bicycle: yes
Foot: yes
Horse: no
Material: metal
Motor Vehicle: yes
Lat/Long: 52.5734077/-1.9126269
Man Made: mast
Lat/Long: 52.5754566/-1.9106221
Man Made: mast
Lat/Long: 52.5761346/-1.9116055
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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