Barnt Green

Barnt Green is a village in Worcestershire, England, located immediately south of Birmingham.

Origins

Rooted from the development of the railway, Barnt Green has always been a commuter settlement. When the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway was completed in 1840 the only buildings present (see map of 1880 [gbmapping|SP001736] ) were Barnt Green House (probably the oldest recorded bearer of the name Barnt Green), the buildings which made up the railway station and Sandhills Farm (which is dated from the 15th century).

The first shoots of today's "village" came with the "The Victoria" pub, built as a temperance house at the turn of the century. A map of 1905 shows several buildings, including 'the Vic' and many of the terraced houses which skirt today's shops.

Development

The vast bulk of the village is a product of the 20th century. A great deal of its development occurred between the wars, with very many houses built between the 1940s and 1970s, and some newer redbrick development.

The area retains a rural feel as Birmingham is concealed by hills to the north. Despite the proximity of the Birmingham conurbation, the area still provides an environment for wildlife, including birds, foxes and badgers.

ituation

Immediately above (in height) to the northwest are the Lickey Hills Country Park and the Victorian houses of Lickey. Almost immediately to the north is the Longbridge car factory and beyond that Birmingham.

Northeast is Cofton Hackett and the Bittell Reservoirs, with the Birmingham and Worcester Canal running alongside. To the east, farmland stretches from the edge of the factory right across to Hopwood. This large block of rural land forms a part of the greenbelt which encircles the settlement.

Southeast is the older village of Alvechurch and beyond that Redditch. South of the village, across the M42 motorway, is the large stretch of farmland of Cobley and Tardebigge which runs to the ancient seat of the Earl of Plymouth, Hewell Grange (now a prison).

To the southwest, the Lickey Incline, a famous stretch of railway, runs down the Bunter geological formation to Blackwell and Bromsgrove. The M5 motorway lies to the West.

ervices

Barnt Green railway station is on the Cross-City Line (Redditch to Lichfield) and the Birmingham to Worcester via Bromsgrove Line line. The area is close to junctions on the M5 and M42 motorways, as well as the nearby A38.

In the centre of the village is a linear shopping street and small park. Other facilities include a sports club, a cricket club, and separate Quaker, Baptist and Church of England churches. St Andrew's Primary School is also based in the village.

References

External links

* [http://www.villageonline.co.uk/ The Village magazine]
* [http://www.bgb.org.uk/ The Baptist church]
* [http://www.st-andrewscofe.ik.org/ St Andrew's C of E First School]