Penns Hall and lake (much smaller in those days) was originally the home of John Penn who operated an agricultural mill (the name Penns comes from his surname). 

The earliest recorded history of the mill dates from 27th June 1618 when William Fisher, a Yeoman of New Shipton, sold his fulling and corn mills for £15 to John Penn. The Penn family occupied the mill for around 50 years after this date.

The lake or mill pond was cut by hand and constructed by damming the sloping land to the back of the hall and feeding in water from the Plantsbrook (or Ebrook), this was then used to supply power to the waterwheel. 

The mill was later bought by the Websters who developed it into a wire drawing mill and a major concern which by closure in 1859 employed 105 men and 43 boys. The mill was the major employer in Walmley and responsible for the villages development which stagnated after the Websters and Horsfall moved to Hay Mills.

The Marseille to Tangier telegraph cable was finished at Penns Mill and this would be the start of Websters world wide fame as a wire and cable manufacturer. Workers cottages were built nearby in Penns Lane in 1812. One was demolished to make way for the coming of the Midland Railway.

Webster eventually went into partnership with James Horsfall and moved to Hay Mills where they went on to construct the first Atlantic telegraph cable. The Horsfall family where the last private residents to live at Penns Hall.

Although the Lake survives, as does the weir, there is no trace of the wire drawing mill which was to the west of the southern end of the lake on or close to the site of the present health club. It is a great shame that this site is not marked and remembered because some of the most important developments of the industrial revolution occured here and at one point some of the best steel wire in the world was produced at this site using a secret technique directly as a result of overhearing a conversation in a stage coach between two Sheffield ironmasters!

Webster and Horsfall are one of the oldest surviving industrial companies in Birmingham.

Penns Hall later found dubious fame again as it was featured as The Crossroads Motel in the much maligned ATV soap, 'Crossroads'. Penns Hall still survives today as a hotel but has been altered so much it is hardly recognizable.. Penns lake still survives but its habitation by anglers has spoilt and changed most of its features..

Plantsbrook which runs through The Newhall Country Park was culverted in the 60s from the main Wylde Green Road to Pype Hayes. It's source is in Sutton Park near Streetly Gate.