Birtley Common, al. Birtley Fell, Black Fell

Birtley Fell was a common in the manor of Chester, and was explicitly excluded from the 1794 Act for the enclosure of commons in that manor. It was therefore never divided by act. The bishop of Durham was originally the lord of the manor. An 18th century map shows Birtley Fell stretching from the Wrekendyke in the North to Portabelo in the South. A narrow tongue stretched West to Birtley village to give access to the fell.