12 must visit parks in Birmingham in 2021
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There is literally hundreds of parks in Birmingham, but here is a quick look at 12 parks you could visit in 2021 at any time of the year for a walk, cycle, or taking your dog for a walk etc. From the well known parks such as Kings Heath Park and Cannon Hill Park, to the less well known such as Kings Norton Park and Manor Farm Park. So many to choose from.
Click the links below to go to the projects and view the posts. All parks are reachable by cycle or bus. Some by train and tram. Many of these parks used to be country estates before being acquired by the Council from the late 19th or early 20th Century.
Located between Moseley and Edgbaston on Edgbaston Road and Russell Road. There is also entrances from the Pershore Road. Cannon Hill Park opened to the public back in 1873, on land donated by Louisa Ryland. It is probably the most popular park in Birmingham with lakes, playgrounds and a fun fair. The Midlands Art Centre is also based here. Various memorials are located in this famous park.
Bus routes: 1, 1A, 35, 45 or 47.
dndimg alt="Cannon Hill Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Boating Lake Cannon Hill Park (May 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Probably the second most popular park in Birmingham is Kings Heath Park. Located on Vicarage Road and Avenue Road in Kings Heath. The park was home to the TV Garden, and there is a Tea Room located in a house built in 1832 for an MP, William Congreve Russell. The land and house later ended up in the Cartland family in 1880, and they sold it in 1900s. Eventually the local council took control, before Kings Heath became a part of Birmingham in 1911. Today there is several play areas in the park, plus a couple of ponds.
Bus routes: 11A, 11C, 27 or 76.
dndimg alt="Kings Heath Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Indian summer KHP (Sept 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Located between Kings Heath and Moseley, with one entrance near the Kings Heath High Street. It was the estate of Joseph Chamberlain who lived at Highbury Hall until his death in 1914. Highbury Park also has entrances on Moor Green Lane, and one near a gatehouse close to Yew Tree Lane. From Dad's Lane and Shutlock Lane, there is a back entrance to the park also leading to a car park. The park opened to the public in 1930. The park has a couple of ponds that you can see.
Bus routes: 27, 35, 50 or 76.
Trains: A new Kings Heath Station could open in the future by 2022 (the original station closed in 1941).
dndimg alt="Highbury Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Highbury Park (May 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
This park is located down the Pershore Road South in Kings Norton. It was opened to the public in 1924. There is a car park located on Westhill Road. The River Rea flows through the park, although you can't see it. The park features a play area near the Westhill Road entrance, and a skate park. Not too far from the old Kings Norton Village. Part of the Rea Valley Route, and on the National Cycle Network route no 5.
Bus routes: 18, 19, 45, 47 and 49.
Trains: Kings Norton Station on the Cross City Line up the hill in Cotteridge.
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This park is located between Hamstead Road and Hinstock Road in Handsworth. Also with entrances on Holly Road and Grove Road. Nearby is the Church of St Mary, where James Watt and Matthew Boulton are buried. Handsworth Park has at least two lakes. A railway line crosses half way through the park (it was the site of Handsworth Wood Station until 1942). Originally known as Victoria Park, it opened to the public in the 1880s. A sculpture was installed in the park called SS Journey by Luke Perry.
Bus routes: 16, 61 or 101.
Trams: In walking distance of Soho Benson Road or Winson Green Outer Circle tram stops.
dndimg alt="Handsworth Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park (Sept 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
This park is located on Harborne Park Road in Harborne. Grove Park has been a public park in Birmingham since 1963. The southern end of the park is on Mill Farm Road towards the Kenrick Centre. Historically the park was the grounds of The Grove, which was an 18th century Georgian house. One of Birmingham's first MP's Thomas Attwood lived at The Grove from 1823 to 1846. The house was later rebuilt for another Birmingham MP, William Kenrick in 1877-78. He died there in 1919. His son Alderman W. Byng Kenrick donated the estate to the City (he died in 1962). The house was demolished by Birmingham City Council in 1963. The park has a play area and a lake.
Bus routes: 10S, 11A, 11C or 76.
dndimg alt="Grove Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Grove Park Harborne (Nov 2018) (4) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
This small park located in Bournville is on Linden Road, and is disected by The Bourn. Directly opposite the world famous Cadbury chocolate factory. The parks goes towards Selly Oak Road and Oak Tree Lane. There is a play area close to Linden Road. Close to Bournville Village Primary School. There is also a tennis court and a bowling green.
Bus routes: 11A or 11C, 27 or 48.
Trains: Bournville Station on the Cross City Line.
dndimg alt="Bournville Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bournville Park (Dec 2018) (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Up to Erdington for this park. Rookery Park is located on Wood End Road and Kingsbury Road. The site of Rookery House, which was being restored the last time I saw it. The Grade II listed house was built in the 18th century, and was originally known as Birches Green House. Was the home of Abraham Spooner and his descendants from 1730. Various different owner occupiers during the 19th century. The local council took over the land in the late 19th century, then became part of Birmingham from 1911. There was several derelict toilets in the park in urgent need of restoration. As well as a play area towards the Western Road exit.
Bus routes: 11A or 11C or X14.
Trains: In walking distance of Erdington Station on the Cross City Line.
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This park is located in Selly Oak on Gibbins Road and Harborne Lane, close to the Selly Oak Bypass and the site of the Lapal Canal. The park has a play area and plenty of paths for walking. One route along the site of the lost canal goes towards Weoley Castle. Selly Oak Park opened in 1899 on land donated by the Gibbins family. More land was added to the park during the 20th century. The park is maintained by The Friends of Selly Oak Park. You can find carved wooden sculptures around the park, by Graham Jones.
Bus routes: 10S, 11A, 11C or 48.
Trains: In walking distance of Selly Oak Station on the Cross City Line.
dndimg alt="Selly Oak Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly Oak Park (May 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
This park can be accessed from the Persore Road via a bridge (over the Cross City Line) from Breedon Road. The park also runs up Franklin Road towards Bournville. The park has a play area and tennis courts. Plus a skate park and basketball court. Cotteridge Park had a Sons of Rest building, but it was demolished in the 1990s. The Friends of Cotteridge Park was started up in 1997. A small community building was built between 2019 and 2020.
Bus routes: Not far from the 11A, 11C, 45, 47 or 48.
Trains: Bournville or Kings Norton Station on the Cross City Line.
dndimg alt="Cotteridge Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cotteridge Park (Sept 2019) (9) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Over to Northfield for this park, located on the Bristol Road South. Although it is known as White Hill in the area close to Bournville. The park was the site of the Northfield Manor House, which was damaged by fire in 2014 (never seen it myself). It was the home of George and Elizabeth Cadbury, from 1890, until his death in 1922 and her death in 1953. The park was opened to the public in 1951. Also home to a small lake. A wooden picnic barn built in 1894, was sadly destroyed by arsonists in 2017 and has been demolished. The Friends of Manor Farm Park hope to restore the outbuildings in the park.
Bus routes: 44, 48, 61, 63, 76 or 144.
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This large Country Park is located between the Coventry Road in Sheldon towards Marston Green and Birmingham Airport. The Westley Brook flows through the park. There is an Airport viewing area that is good for plane spotting, as well as The Old Rectory Farm. Sheldon Country Park is split into sections, from Coventry Road to Church Road. Then from Church Road towards the Airport Viewing Area. The Hatchford Brook also flows into the park joining the Westley Brook not far from the runway of the airport.
Bus routes: 60, X1, X2, 72 or 73.
Trains: Marston Green Station on the West Coast Mainline (Birmingham New Street to Coventry line).
dndimg alt="Sheldon Country Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sheldon Country Park (March 2016) crowds for Emirates Airbus A380 (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />
Similar post here on the 11 bus Outer Circle.
Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.