Bearwood, West Midlands 4.17

Bearwood is the southern part of Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands, England, and north of the A456 Hagley Road. Bearwood Hill was the original name of the High Street from Smethwick Council House to Windmill Lane. The border at the Shireland Brook where Portland Road (Edgbaston) becomes Shireland Road (Sandwell) is signed "Bearwood" (February 2014).Bearwood is included in Abbey Ward in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough. In 1903, Bearwood Ward in Smethwick extended from Hagley Road to Smethwick High Street and included part of Cape Hill.The Bearwood telephone exchange area marked out by the 0121-429 numbers extends as far east as Harborne Walkway.Bearwood, like many areas of the West Midlands conurbation, has a local sense of place, although it has become absorbed into Smethwick proper. Many locals still use the term "The Bear" especially referring to "The Bear Hotel" located in Bearwood. An old map of the 18th century mentions 'The Bear of Smithwick'.General descriptionModern Bearwood centres around the Bearwood Road, and especially the crossroads with Sandon Road and Three Shire Oak Road . Historically, Bearwood extended as far north as Smethwick High Street by Victoria Park east of the Council House. The 1899 Smethwick Borough surveyor's map of Smethwick shows Bearwood Ward as including Cheshire Road from its junction immediately opposite the Council House. Bearwood Hill is the old name for the High Street south of Victoria Park. The approach to Cape Hill from Birmingham via Portland Road still has a sign saying Bearwood.