| Turn
off Sedgley High Street, find Beacon Lane, and
there you are.
In the middle of the Beacon Housing Estate is
Beacon Hill - one of the highest points in the
region at nearly 237 metres above sea level.
Beacon Hill is reputed to be the highest point
of land between Sedgley and the Ural Mountains
in Russia. The views, especially on summer evenings,
can be spectacular.
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 Sedgley
Beacon Tower |
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A crumbling tower, erected in 1846 stands on
the highest point of the hill. When the tower
could be climbed, it's been said that it was possible
to see the Bristol Channel from its top.
The views to the west are of the mainly rural
county of Shropshire. To the east is the more
industrial area of the Black Country.
Ancient communications
Sedgley Beacon Hill got its name from being a
place where warning beacons were lit. It was part
of a communication network that covered England.
The Romans used beacons in Britain, writes R.
W. Burns in his book Communications: An International
History of the Formative Years. He says that it
was not until medieval times that a system of
beacons was organised on a national scale.
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| View
from Beacon Hill |
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They were used to signal the alarm when the country
was under attack, so that preparations could be
made.
Important sites, like the Isle of Wight could
light up to three beacons to signal the strength
of the invading force. Coastal high points used
two beacons. Inland, sites such as Sedgley Beacon
would have lit a single signal fire.
In August 1588, the beacon system was used to
call the entire nation to arms when the Spanish
Armada attacked. Beacons in the West Midlands
part of chain were sited at Barr Beacon and Cannock
Chase.
Today, Sedgley Beacon is still part of a network
- a radio mast stands close to where the beacon
would have lit up the night sky.
Address - how to get to
Sedgley Beacon Hill
When in the area, head towards the towering radio
mast.
Get to Sedgley High Street, in Sedgley, West
Midlands, UK.
Head south on A459/High St toward Townsend Avenue.
Turn left at A463/Bilston St
Turn left at Beacon Lane - and head towards the
radio mast.
Refreshments
The nearby Beacon Hotel, Sedgley is an award
winning old-style brewery pub.
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