Barr Beacon
This walk climbs to one of the highest spots in the Birmingham area. The beacon is located to the north of the city, not far from Walsall.
You can start from the car park next to the hill and follow a circular footpath around the site. From the 236 m (774 ft) summit there's great views over the city to several landmarks including The Wrekin, Lickey Hills Country Park, Cannock Chase Country Park, and Lichfield Cathedral. On a clear day you can even see the hills and mountains of Wales. On the top of the hill there's also a distinctive domed war memorial. The structure was built in 1932 to commemorate those that gave their lives in the Great War of 1914 to 1918.
Surrounding the hill is some pleasant countryside so its easy to continue your walk if you have time.
Postcode
WS9 0QW - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsBarr Beacon Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Barr Beacon Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Barr Beacon OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Barr Beacon Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Foley Arms is conviently located on the northern side of the hill. They have a good menu and can be found at postcode B74 3NU for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The hill is popular with dog walkers with some nice paths and surrounding countryside for you to explore with your canine friend.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The long distance Beacon Way passes over the hill, providing an opportunity for extending your walk. You could follow it to the nearby Sandwell Valley Country Park, Park Lime Pits or Chasewater Country Park. The splendid Walsall Arboretum and the Walsall Canal are other good options in the area around the hill.
Just to the east of the hill there's Sutton Coldfield and the expansive Sutton Park where there are miles of good cycling and walking trails.
Just to the north you can enjoy more waterside trails along the Wyrley and Essington Canal. The canal winds its way pleasantly through Wolverhampton and Walsall, visiting Park Lime Pits, the wildlife rich Pelsall Common Nature Reserve and Rough Wood Country Park on the way.
For more walking ideas in the area see the West Midlands Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Barr Beacon Dome. The Beacon is one of the highest points in the Birmingham and Black Country area. The dome is a feature of the local landscape and can be seen from Birmingham 7 to 8 miles to the south and many other parts in the Black Country.
View from the summit. The beacon gives extensive views over north Birmingham and surrounding districts. This is looking over toward Walsall. The hill is historically the site of a beacon where fires were lit in times of impending attack or on celebratory occasions.
A view up to the beacon from the Library of Birmingham. View from due south, photographed from the Library of Birmingham (distance 10 km). In the right of the middle ground is Perry Beaches College.
View towards Pheasey just to the south of the hill. On the horizon you can see Birmingham city centre, including the BT Tower. The large white building in the middle distance is the Asda store, just inside Birmingham.
Fields just west of the beacon.
Another view of the dome. The information board can be seen on the left of the photo.