Barr Beacon

Barr Beacon is one of the highest points in the West Midlands, a heathland ridge above Walsall crowned by a domed war memorial and reputedly commanding views across seven or more counties on a clear day. It is a long-established open flying spot; kite flyers and model enthusiasts have used these breezy tops for years, and the sweeping grassland gives generous take-off room and superb line of sight in every direction, from the Clent and Lickey Hills to the Cannock Chase plateau and the distant Shropshire and Staffordshire hills. It is a Local Nature Reserve managed by Walsall Council; there is no blanket drone ban and it is a genuinely drone-friendly hilltop, but you should still fly considerately around the memorial, the car park and the walkers, dog walkers and other flyers who gather here, especially at weekends. The exposed ridge is reliably windy, part of its appeal for wind-powered hobbies, so trim for breeze and expect gusts over the crest. Birmingham Airport lies well to the south-east and its zone does not reach the beacon, but you are within the busy general airspace of the conurbation, so keep low and stay clear of any helicopter traffic. Early mornings give calmer air and clearer, haze-free panoramas.