Its most distinctive feature, Barrow Hill, is the eroded remnant of a high level igneous intrusion that was formed 315 million years ago during the Carboniferous period.

[2] The area was once woodland inside Pensnett Chase, which was mainly common land under the lordship of the Barons of Dudley.

The hard volcanic rock (dolerite) that forms Barrow Hill was quarried in the 19th century for use as road stone.

Exposed rock faces in the quarries reveal volcanic features, such as hexagonal pillars that formed during the cooling of the magma.

A large cross that was commissioned by St Mark's Church now stands at the summit of the hill.