Geosite
This geosite traces the geology of a long enscarpment on the south western edge of Wolverhampton and how it imparts local distinctiveness to the landscapes and building materials of the Compton and Tettenhall area.
This landscape is associated with the western boundary of the Black Country Coalfield and strongly influenced by the glacial and post glacial events. 'The Rock' at Tettenhall is a high road cutting on the sides of the A41, through the sandstone ridge at Tettenhall.
This cutting exposes the Triassic Wildmoor Sandstone Member and Helsby Sandstone Formations and exposes the junction between the two units. A roadside quarry in private land shows very good chemical reduction spots in the layers, related to groundwater flow and chemical conditions within the area.
There is an historic church site on the Triassic ridge of Tettenhall, with bedrock of Triassic Wildmoore Sandstone Member. Small cave-like excavations in the sandstone at the rear of the church have been used by local residents for storage and give good explosure of the rock types and textures of the bedrock here. The churchyard and church provide a range of petrologicallydiverse gravestones and hve scattered Quaternary Devensian glacial erratics. There is a geological leaflet that explains the geology of this area of the Black Country. This site has easy access and is a useful geotourism and geoeducational resource for the geopark.
Geosite facilities
There is no visitor centre, café or toilets at the site, so plan your visit with this in mind.
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Geosite West Park has a tea room (open Thursday to Sunday) and toilet facilities.
Geosite Wolverhampton Art Gallery with over 300 years of art in a free gallery with fantastic changing and permanent galleries including a changing programme of exhibitions and events throughout the year. There is also a café offering a selection of hot and cold refreshments. Bilston Gallery offering a range of contemporary craft exhibitions and displays of historic items created by skilled makers.
Geosite Bantock House has a café courtyard offering breakfast, sandwiches a range of main courses, cakes and desserts are available. The café is open November to April 9am-4pm and May to October 9am-5pm.