Headless Cross
| Headless Cross | |
| Worcestershire | |
|---|---|
 Water Tower, Headless Cross | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 52°17’25"N, 1°56’56"W |
| Data | |
| Post town: | Redditch |
| Postcode: | B97 |
| Dialling code: | 01527 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | Redditch |
Headless Cross is a village in Worcestershire that has become a suburb of Redditch. It is found to the south-west of the town, adjacent to the border with Warwickshire. It is thought to be named after Headless Cross farm, which was situated roughly where Vaynor Drive is today. Headless Cross may be derived from Smeethehedley, itself an indication of a role in Feckenham Forest.[1]
Keeping with the Redditch tradition of needle manufacture, Headless Cross once accommodated three needle works: the Needle Factory, located where Stonehouse Close is today; Phoenix Works on Birchfield Road and Mount Pleasant Mill on Evesham Road. A large brickworks was situated on Marlpit Lane, as well as a smaller one along Birchfield Road.
There are two schools in Headless Cross: The Vaynor First School and Walkwood CE Middle School, both located on Feckenham Road.
Due to its slight altitude advantage, both of Redditch's water towers were built in Headless Cross. The old one still stands having been converted into a private residence. The distinctive shape of the new water tower has become something of a local icon and can be seen dominating the skyline from as far as the Hollybush Inn on Gorcott Hill, approximately 6 km to the east in Warwickshire.
References
- ↑ Humphreys FSA, John. "Forest of Feckenham". Transactions and proceedings (Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeology Society) 44-45: 115–132.