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From the windswept summit of the artificial mound called "Ackers Hill" a
large part of central, east, and south Birmingham can be seen. There is a
fascinating variety of topographical features in view, and much to be learnt
about each of them. Let us first identify what we can see, with the aid of
the toposcope provided, then study everything separately and in detail.
Almost due north the viaduct of the Oxford Railway crosses the Warwick
Canal. Beyond are factory buildings, which used to be the B.S.A. Waverley
Works and the Singer Car Works, with long Edwardian streets beyond. The
Coventry Expressway curves around the factories, alongside the River Cole.
The riverside Hay Barn recreation ground is visible past St. Cyprian's
Church, the factories of Hay Mills, and Coventry Road. To the north-east,
Yardley Church's spire and the distant cooling towers of Hams Hall power
station are seen over 1920s municipal estates. On Red Hill to the east, the
tall blocks are the Swan Office and Tivoli centres at "South Yardley". Canal
and rail embankments cross the valley, and Spark Brook is joined by the Cole
below the mound. To the south-east, multiple lines fan out below Tyseley
Hill, flanked by Hay Hall industrial estate, the junction station, the
Railway Museum and British Rail's Area Maintenance Depot.
Due south are a playing-field, the largely Edwardian suburb of Greet, and a
fairly new industrial estate. Looking down the future ski-slope, we see the
long sheds of the former rifle testing range. The motorcycle track and
sports field lie westward: between the canal and the railway to the
northwest are the remnants of the B.S.A. factory, the Spicer Cowan complex
and a new industrial park that is being built on part of the cleared site.
The Expressway points towards the city centre's towers. Small Heath Park and
its pool appear to northward amid late Victorian villas.
Introduction
What can be seen from Ackers Hill
The natural landscape
Watercourses
Early settlement and boundaries
The Manors
The Warwick canal
Railways
Industry
Urbanisation
Parks and open spaces
Churches and schools
The Ackers leisure park
Itinerary
Maps |
