Bartley Green

Bartley Green is probably best known for its reservoir and close proximity to Frankley Services on the Western Side of Birmingham City. Close to both Northfield, Weoley Castle and Quinton it has good access to Birmingham city centre.

The first reference to Bartley Green can be found in the 1086 Domesday book which refers to it as 'Berchelia' meaning a clearing in the Birch Trees. In 1657 it was first mentioned as Bartley Green.

Bartley Green is a residential area with access to neaby parks such as the Woodgate Valley Park. Bartley Green reservoir has its own yachting club and the area borders on the beautiful open countryside on the outskirts of the city.

Bartley Green Reservoir covers 46 hectares and provides drinking water for Birmingham. Bill Oddie did much of his early birdwatching here and Bartley Green features in his books.

History

Most of the land occupied by Bartley Reservoir was in the parish of Northfield, originally in Worcestershire. It was transferred to Warwickshire when Northfield became part of Birmingham in November, 1911.

However, the south-west end of the reservoir overlapped into the parish of Frankley, in Worcestershire (Hereford and Worcester, from 1974). In April 1995 part of Frankley (including the south-west part of Bartley Reservoir) was transferred to Birmingham and became part of the West Midlands county.

External links

West Midland Bird Club on Bartley Reservoir

Bartley Reservoir Article by Bill Oddie

Bartley Green History ( King Edward VI Five Ways School