Barrow Hill Local Nature Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Barrow Hill |
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View from the top of Barrow Hill
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| Type | Local Nature Reserve |
| Location | Pensnett, England |
| Created | 2005 |
| Operated by | Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council |
Barrow Hill Local Nature Reserve is a special natural area in Pensnett, England. It's a place where nature is protected. The most amazing part of this reserve is Barrow Hill itself. This hill is actually what's left of an ancient volcano! It erupted a very, very long time ago – about 315 million years back. The reserve was officially opened in 2005, giving this unique spot a safe future.
Contents
Discovering Barrow Hill's Past
A Woodland History
Long ago, the land where Barrow Hill stands was a thick forest. It was part of a larger area called Pensnett Chase. This land was mostly "common land." This means local people could use it for things like grazing animals. It was all under the control of the powerful Barons of Dudley, who were like the lords of the area.
Quarrying for Road Stone
In the 1800s, people started digging into Barrow Hill. They were looking for a very hard volcanic rock called dolerite. This rock was perfect for building roads. So, parts of the hill were dug out, creating quarries. You can still see the marks of this quarrying today.
Old Railway Paths
Another cool reminder of the past is a footpath in the reserve. This path follows the route of an old private railway. This railway belonged to the Earl of Dudley. It was used to carry materials, probably the dolerite rock, during the time of heavy industry.
Where is Barrow Hill?
The reserve is located in Pensnett. It's easy to find, close to St Marks Church and Russells Hall Hospital. You can get into the reserve from Vicarage Lane in Pensnett.
The Amazing Landscape of Barrow Hill
The Extinct Volcano
Barrow Hill is the main feature of the reserve. It's the remains of an extinct volcano. This means it's a volcano that won't erupt again. The old quarries show us how the hill was shaped by digging.
Lost Burial Mounds
Sadly, the quarrying also removed two ancient burial mounds. These mounds were called "barrows." They were built during the Bronze Age by people who lived here thousands of years ago. These barrows are actually how the hill got its name!
Volcanic Rock Formations
If you look closely at the exposed rock faces in the quarries, you can see cool volcanic features. One amazing sight is the hexagonal pillars. These are six-sided columns of rock. They formed naturally when the hot magma (melted rock) from the volcano cooled down very slowly.
Nature's Home
Beyond the volcanic rocks, the reserve is full of nature. You'll find peaceful woodlands, like Barrow Hill Copse. There are also open meadowlands, which are like grassy fields. And don't forget the ponds, which are home to many different creatures.
