Lickey Hills-Tolkien

In this walk I explored the connection between Tolkien and the Lickey Hills.
As my car is still out of commission I caught a number 47 bus to Longbridge and walked towards Rednal.
After about 15 minutes I arrived at Rednal and decided to buy a tasty pie and chips at the Lickey Hills Fish and Chip Shop…A short road to the right of the fish and chip shop leads to a path.
I followed this path and soon came to a slatted fence, through which I could see some gravestones.
(Press the ‘Play’ icon on the video below)

It turns out that the building is owned by The Birmingham Oratory, founded by John Henry Newman (later, Cardinal Newman). He bought a house in Rednal called “the Retreat”and established a cemetery for the deceased of the congregation. Cardinal Newman, himself, was buried in that cemetery, although his remains have now been moved to Edgbaston.

John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
Tolkien’s mother, Mabel, became ill with diabetes. In June 1904, when Ronald was 12 years old, Father Francis Morgan, a priest from The Oratory moved the Tolkiens into Fern Cottage, a tiny house in (or near) the grounds of The Retreat.
Ronald, and his younger brother Hilary could freely roam the grounds of the house.

It was in Fern Cottage where Mabel died in November that year.
However, for many years Ronald and Father Francis would go on walks in the Lickey Hills above The Retreat where Ronald developed a deep love of nature and from where much of his later imagery came.

Look at ‘Tolkien’s Birmingham’ page