The hills had been a royal hunting reserve belonging to the Manor of Bromsgrove. Free public open access began in 1888 when Rednal Hill was bought by the Birmingham Society for the Preservation of Open Space. The Society then presented it to the City of Birmingham in trust. Pinfield Wood and Bilberry Hill were then leased at a nominal rent. Beacon Hill was bought by Edward, George and Henry Cadbury in 1907 and then given to the City of Birmingham. Cofton Hill, Lickey Warren and Pinfield Wood were bought in 1920. The final stage in restoring public access to the area was the purchase of the Rose Hill Estate from the Cadbury family in 1923. Although fully owned and maintained by Birmingham City Council, only a small part of the Lickey Hills Country Park is within its boundary.
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The view here shows the Horse & Hounds pub in the centre of the picture, viewed from Bilberry Hill.
Part of a map of the Lickey Hills in 1920. Showing footpaths.
The numbers are;
1 Open Air Theatre
2 Croquet Lawn
3 Water Garden
4 Club Rooms / Babies Hollow
The highest point is 'the Beacon' on Beacon Hill at 974 feet above sea level
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