Historical Background

Netherton in Anglo-Saxon means the ‘lower farm’. During the medieval period it became a small village, sited where the brook crossed the Baptist End Road, close to Swan Street ‘~‘ and Spring Road. The brook (which still runs in the north of the park) is thought to date from the last ice age and drains the former Church Fields of Dudley. It also formed the eastern boundary of Pensnett Chase. By the 19th century the meadow land to the south became Netherton Colliery which exploited the 30 foot coat seam. Today the colliery lands form Netherton Park, but the layout of the old colliery workings remain as they were. Arch Hill Street was originally the main approach to the colliery and the mineshaft, pit head gear and a steam engine were sited where the rose garden now sits. Footpaths are based on mineral railway tracks and the embankment of the Great Western Railway Main Line runs along the parks eastern edge. Coal waste can still be seen on the old tips above the west bank of the brook.