Beacon Hill, Sedgley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beacon Hill |
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Beacon Tower and transmission mast
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 237 m (778 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Sedgley, England |
Beacon Hill in Sedgley, England, is a really high spot in the West Midlands. It stands 237 meters (about 778 feet) above sea level. This makes it one of the tallest points in the area.
From the very top of the hill, you can see amazing views. You might spot cities like Wolverhampton, Walsall, and Birmingham. On a clear day, you can even see parts of Staffordshire, Shropshire, and the beautiful countryside of Wales.
The hill got its name because of its history. Long ago, people would light a big fire, called a beacon, on top of important hills like this one. These fires were signals, used to warn people during times of trouble or war. Beacon Hill was part of a chain of these signal fires, located between other beacons at Barr Beacon and Cannock Chase.
At the highest point, there's an old tower. It was built in 1846 by a person named Lord Wrottesley. He used it for studying the stars and planets! This tower is a special historical building, called a Grade II listed site. It stands exactly where an even older tower, and the original signal beacon, once stood.
When the tower could be climbed, people said you could see the Bristol Channel on a very clear day. Today, a fence stops people from going inside. The steps were removed to keep everyone safe.
Beacon Hill was once split between two areas: Sedgley and Coseley. About half of the hill, including the tower, was in the Coseley area. This changed in 1966 when local government areas were reorganized. Most of Sedgley and Coseley became part of Dudley. Now, all of Beacon Hill is in the Sedgley DY3 postcode area.
What's on Beacon Hill Today?
Near the old tower on Beacon Hill, there's a neighborhood called the Beacon housing estate. This area was first built in the 1920s. More homes were added in the 1930s, and the last part was built after World War II.
A group called the Beacon Hill Tenants & Residents Association helps take care of the hill. They work to keep it clean and tidy. They have also put up gates and fences. This helps to stop people from damaging the area or leaving rubbish behind.
