Barr Beacon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barr Beacon |
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Barr Beacon War Memorial in February 2009
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 236 m (774 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | West Midlands, England |
| OS grid | SP060973 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 139 |
Barr Beacon is a hill located in the West Midlands, England. It sits on the edge of Walsall, very close to Birmingham. This famous hill gives its name to the nearby area of Great Barr and to Barr Beacon School.
Historically, Barr Beacon was a place where large fires, called beacons, were lit. These fires were signals to warn people about danger, like an attack, or to celebrate special events. Today, the hill is a protected area known as "green belt" land. This means it's kept natural and undeveloped. About 60 acres (25 hectares) of Barr Beacon have been made a Local Nature Reserve because it's important for nature.
Who Owns and Looks After Barr Beacon?
Barr Beacon used to belong to the Scott family, who lived nearby at Great Barr Hall. After Lady Mildred Scott passed away in 1909, her estate was sold in 1918.
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, a very important local leader, asked for the hill to be saved as a public park. Colonel J. H. Wilkinson bought the land and then gave it to a special group called a trust. A trust is like a group of people who look after something important for others.
Barr Beacon officially opened to the public on Easter Monday, April 21, 1919. In 1972, Walsall Council took over looking after the hill. The council now manages Barr Beacon for the Barr Beacon Trust. Many people visit the hill; for example, about 200,000 visitors came in both 2002 and 2003.
Amazing Views from the Top
Barr Beacon is one of the highest places in the West Midlands. This means it has amazing views all around! From the top, you can see many famous landmarks.
According to Walsall Council, you can spot places like The Wrekin (a big hill), Cannock Chase (a forest area), and the Lickey Hills. You might also see Lichfield Cathedral, Aldridge Airport, and the tall buildings of Birmingham city centre. On a clear day, you can even see parts of at least eleven different counties, including Powys in Wales!
The War Memorial
At the top of Barr Beacon, there are two main spots. One has a covered drinking water reservoir, which is like a big tank for water, along with radio masts. The other spot has a special war memorial.
This memorial is a raised platform with a wooden dome on top. The dome used to be covered in copper. Sadly, in 2010 and 2011, parts of the copper roof were stolen and damaged. In early 2013, the copper was replaced with new green zinc-coated panels. To help protect it, CCTV cameras were also installed.
