9 must see parks in Birmingham

Some know it as UK’s Second City, but when it comes to quirky adventures, cultural festivals, food, and natural wonders, Birmingham is second to none. From wildlife conservation areas to botanical gardens and smaller patches of nature, Birmingham parks offer endless opportunities for recreation, sightseeing, dining, hiking, walking, and relaxation.

Just within Birmingham City Centre are expansive green spaces, and if you take a short drive out of town, you’ll discover more beautiful natural attractions in West Midlands. Create your own fun or get involved in organized activities for families, couples, groups, and individuals. You can also spot native birds and wild ponies, kayak on the lake, or simply appreciate the glorious nature around you.

Whether you’re looking for a cost-friendly activity or a quiet escape from the city’s noise, this guide to some of the most scenic parks in Birmingham is for you. Drop your bags with bounce luggage storage in Birmingham to marvel at nature’s wonders without burden.

Eastside City Park

Eastside City Park is the first new park in Birmingham in over a century. It was completed in 2012 and covers 6.75 acres of open green space, including more than 300 trees to boost biodiversity in Birmingham’s City Centre. It also features a public square with twenty-one jet fountains, a 110-meter canal water feature, formal lawns, plenty of outdoor seating, and a play area, making it a nice stop for a picnic or to meet with friends.

Due to its location in central Birmingham, it puts visitors close to several museums, hotels, galleries, and other entertainment venues. It’s an excellent spot before or after touring Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum, a stone’s throw from the park and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. If you get hungry, you can get light snacks at a nearby café and enjoy them while sitting on one of the park benches. Linger for a while, or stop by while planning your next trip.

Cannon Hill Park

If you’re planning a day out in a Birmingham park with your family and kids, head to Cannon Hill Park. Indoor and outdoor fun awaits you here, with rides and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. It’s only a few miles outside the central city and offers an incredible range of natural features and services to entertain everyone.

The Fun Park remains true to its name with rides, games, and activities for younger children, from toddlers to ten-year-olds. You can ride the Land Train to explore the park and take in the sights at Cannon Hill Park or have a romantic trip on the lake in a swan pedal boat.

Animal lovers curious about the creatures at the Birmingham Wildlife Conservatory Park can go to the Nature Centre to get up close and personal with red pandas, monkeys, birds, reptiles, and more. For those who want to be more active, there are tennis courts, mini golf, and trails for cycling, walking, and jogging. Fishing is also permitted in the open season on the lake for local anglers.

Cannon Hill Park is also available for school trips, exploration, and other events. It covers about 250 acres of open space and entertainment facilities to bring joy to families and the community.

Woodgate Valley Country Park

Drive about half an hour to the countryside, and you’ll find yourself in a 450-acre country park on the edge of Birmingham. Woodgate Valley Country Park includes wetlands, hedgerows, wooded areas, and meadows, offering a serene respite from the city’s hustle and bustle. Wear comfy footwear and stretch your legs as you tour the small urban farm and the diverse landscape.

Nature lovers and anthophiles will be delighted to see different plant species at Woodgate Valley. If you come in summer or spring, you’ll marvel at the damp meadows covered in stunning displays of wildflowers attracting butterflies and birds.

Like most parks in Birmingham, Woodgate Valley offers miles of trails for a stroll and a five-kilometer walk path across the park. You can pick from the three waymarked routes or grab the map from the Visitor Centre to challenge yourself and get lost in the beauty of nature. But don’t worry, as the routes are well-marked and all start and finish at the Visitor Centre.

Kings Heath Park

Kings Heath Park is proud to be the first urban park in Birmingham to receive the prestigious Green Flag Award. It’s an impressive horticultural gem about four miles south of the central Birmingham, spanning 35 acres of a diverse mix of wildlife habitat and vegetation.

What sets it apart from other parks in Birmingham is the Grade II-listed house on the property, constructed in 1832. It was bought by John Cartland, a wealthy brass founder, in 1880 and was sold in 1908 with half the surrounding land to Birmingham City Council, resulting in the creation of the park. Today, the building houses the Horticultural Training Centre, helping up to 200 students each year to gain professional and amateur qualifications in the industry.

Kings Heath Park has two well-equipped playgrounds for one to five-year-olds and five to twelve-year-olds. If you need some fresh air, stroll through the greenery, sit under the trees, and spot local wildlife.

Lickey Hills Country Park

You’ll have to drive about ten miles southwest of the lively City Centre to get to Lickey Hills Country Park, but once you get there, it won’t take long until you realize it’s worth the trip. It’s vast at 524 acres and is recognized as one of the city’s most varied and valued parks.

No matter your interest, you’ll find something that will pique your interest with its diverse landscape, activities, and wildlife. You can challenge a friend to a game of table tennis or golf, fly a kite in summer in the expansive grassy area, ride a horse, or tackle one of the walking trails. The trails vary in length and difficulty levels, so choose one based on your skills.

The park’s highlight is Beacon Hill, the most popular viewpoint in the area. It rises 297 meters above sea level, offering visitors panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. If you come on a clear day, you might spot several landmarks in various counties in West Midlands. Stop by the Lickey Hills Visitor Centre for souvenirs, gifts, books, and maps. There’s also a café serving light snacks with comfy indoor and outdoor seating.

Aston Park

Located next to Villa Park, a famous football stadium, is a historic Green Flag Park called Aston Park. It was the city’s ninth green space to be awarded Green Flag status due to its serene surroundings and polished appearance. It used to be overgrown and dilapidated until it was transformed and revamped along with Aston Hall in 2009. Today, the restored park and the mid-17th-century Jacobean mansion attract visitors who want to get insight into history.

Aston Park provides an oasis of calm and tranquility north of the busy city. It’s a remnant of the hall’s 934-acre deer park and makes a lovely place for a romantic stroll and admiring the building. Its gardens have also been listed on the Historic Parks Register to help preserve them for future generations.

Apart from providing great photo opportunities and relaxation, the park and the museum offer guided walks, which involve exploring the grounds and discovering history. You will be guided by a natural sciences curator outdoors to take a closer look at the plants in the gardens and the creatures making their home in the park.

Sutton Park

Sutton Park is one of Europe’s largest urban parks, with 2,400 acres of nature reserve. It is about six miles north of the central city, boasting extensive wetlands, marches, ancient woodlands, open heathland, and seven lakes. From flying kites and sailing to fishing and hiking, there are many things to do here for outdoor enthusiasts and thrill seekers.

Biking, walking, and kite flying are just the beginning of the amazing activities you can enjoy at this Birmingham park. Go to the west side, and you’ll find a private 18-hole golf course. There’s also a municipal golf course to the south, children’s playgrounds, viewing platforms, and a donkey sanctuary where you can get up and close with donkeys. Many experienced bikers head to Skeleton Hill, which has thrilling paths downhill.

There’s a mix of trackways, grassy areas, and pathways at the park. Some parts of the park can be wet and muddy in bad weather, so it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility. While no entrance fee is needed to Sutton Park, you may need to pay a minimal fee for parking.

Manor Farm Park

It was once part of the estate owned by known chocolate manufacturer and philanthropist George Cadbury but is now a beloved twenty-hectare park where visitors can take in the fascinating wonders of nature and exercise. It opened to the public in 1951 and features a heritage trail that guides visitors to ten historic sites dotted throughout the park.

One of the points of interest you should visit in the park is a section of the Elan Aqueduct, which delivers enormous amounts of water from Wales to Birmingham by gravity. You’ll also see the old farm buildings, a lodge, and the 17th-century hedgerow. If you’re coming from Bristol Road South, you’ll notice the farm buildings at the entrance, which have been abandoned for a long time.

The lake is a wonderful water feature in the park, with wooded sections, three islands, and waterfalls. It’s a peaceful spot to meditate and appreciate your environment. There’s also a two-kilometer walking route that crosses the park and disabled access to the meadow for those with mobility issues.

Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens

A trip to the Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens is not to be missed when visiting Birmingham. The formal gardens are remarkable because they survived when the 19th-century informal English Landscape Movement saw the removal of formal gardens, as well as the city’s expansion and development. So when you enter, you’ll be seeing ten acres of gorgeous, formal gardens that have stood the test of time for 400 years.

Located in the middle of the city, the Gardens offer a picturesque place to get fresh air, relax, and escape the stresses of life. They’re more than just gardens filled with multi-colored flowers and diverse blooms; they also feature wild areas, gentle walks, orchards, and a maze that can be enjoyed by every member of the family. It’s a walled garden, so you can let young children go around and discover nature’s glory.

Check the calendar, as the Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens hosts events and seasonal activities regularly. These include workshops, music & theater performances, family events, and more. Unplug and take a break from social media to spend time with family and loved ones in an idyllic natural setting in Birmingham.

You’re welcome to bring your picnic baskets and set them up on one of the tables and benches on site. If you didn’t prepare food, don’t fret. There’s an open-air café serving light refreshments, ice cream, hot and cold drinks, pies, and cakes.

Meet and relax in the most scenic parks in Birmingham

Birmingham is far from being a concrete jungle some may assume. With more than 600 parks and green spaces, this major British city offers charming natural environments that not only allow you to reconnect with nature but also participate in exciting activities. Some parks in Birmingham are amidst the city, close to numerous landmarks and iconic attractions, while others will lead you to the beautiful countryside. No matter where you go, these natural sanctuaries will offer nothing but unparalleled recreation, peace, and tranquility.

If these are not enough to keep you busy, you’ll find more things to do in our guides on beaches near Birmingham, and the best hikes in Birmingham. Whether taking the train into Birmingham New Street Station or flying into Birmingham Airport, this exciting destination provides the busy traveler with much to see.