Get out and about and breathe in some of that beautiful fresh air; with our list of leisurely walks in the West Midlands! We have country parks, leisurely walks and more, so you have no excuse!
Be it a romantic walk or an activity filled family day out, with such a selection you’ll be sure to find something for everyone to enjoy. Don't forget to check our 'What's On This Month' blog for more inspiration to get you out and about.
Earlswood Lakes
The perfect setting for a leisurely walk, with stunning views, we’d definitely recommend a trip to Earlswood Lakes. Made up of man-made reservoirs, built in the 1820s, with the purpose of supplying water to the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal. Also a wonderful spot for sailing and fishing.
Lickey Hills Country Park
Covering 524 acres, Lickey Hills Country Park is known for being one of Birmingham’s most varied and treasured parks. Lickey Hills offers plenty to do; from long country walks taking in the views or spotting wildlife, to family days out with an abundance of open space for sports and picnicking. Car Parking is free, follow the link above for more information, directions and a map for car parking.
Sandwell Valley Country Park
Another great award winning Green Flag country park with all the amenities you need for a great day out. Perfect for birdwatching, picnics, walking, sports or just being in the great outdoors.
Shire Country Park
Located South of Birmingham City Centre following the River Cole, the park contains wetland, woodland, heath and grasslands. Said to be the inspiration of some of J.R.R. Tolkien's' later work; having grown up in the hamlet of Sarehole Mill. He would have explored the areas as a young boy. Shire Country Park includes many sites including Moseley bog.
Sheldon Country Park
Sheldon Country Park offers some exciting activities to liven up your day out, including free admission to the Old Rectory Farm. Old Rectory Farm is a fully restored demonstration farm, showing traditional methods of farming. Perect location for plane spotting from the viewing point adjacent to Birmingham Airport. Sheldon Country Park also has a children's playground for children to let off some steam. With nature trails suitable for pushchairs and plenty of places for bug hunting, Sheldon Country Park can be enjoyed by all the family!
Tardebigge Canal Circular Walk
A 5 mile leisure walk, starting and ending at Tardebigge Church. If you enjoy a couple of hours walking and exploring the outdoors this walk is great. Taking you along canal towpaths, fields and quiet country lanes. Follow the link above for the route map and more information.
Woodgate Valley Country Park
A country park and a Local Nature Reserve covering 450 acres of countryside in the centre of Bartley Green and Quinton. There are many mixed, mature hedgerows, meadows, woodland, and small ponds. The Bournbrook runs through the park.
Sutton Park
Sutton Park is a 2,400 acre National Nature Reserve located 6 miles north of the city centre. It’s one of the largest urban parks in Europe and is designated as a National Nature Reserve, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The park has open heathland, woodlands, seven lakes, wetlands, and marshes – each with its own rich variety of plants and wildlife, some rarely seen in the region. Cattle and wild ponies graze on the land.
City Centre Canals
Walking is a fantastic way to explore the beautiful canals and rivers the city has to offer. Whether you fancy a 10 minute stroll or a vigorous all-day hike, by walking along the towpaths you’re guaranteed a traffic-free route and relaxing views of the water.
Kingsbury Water Park
With 15 lakes situated in over 600 acres of spectacular country park, Kingsbury Water Park makes for a brilliant day out! Follow the link above to find out more about the park and the many, many activities it has to offer: from donkey rides to pedalo hire, visiting the farm or hiking, you will not get bored at Kingsbury Water Park!
Cannock Chase Forest
Offering adventure trails, tree-top walks and go ape, segways, walking and biking trails along with plenty of other activities and facilities; Cannock Chase is another fantastic day out for all the family. Children can explore the exciting Gruffalo trail experience and burn off plenty of energy in the adventure playground.
Cannon Hill Park
Cannon Hill Park is just a couple of miles outside Birmingham’s city centre, and has an amazing range of activities, facilities and natural features to explore.
The park itself includes 80 acres of formal parks, as well as 120 acres of conservation and woodland. It’s a brilliant place to enjoy a walk, run or cycle, or just to sit and relax. There’s also a natural amphitheatre with a beautiful listed Bandstand at its centre.
Rough Hill Wood
If you’re looking for less activities and more of a nature experience why not try a woodland walk in Rough Hill Wood in Warwickshire? This reserve contains ancient woodland on a hillside. It is predominantly oak with more diversity of wildflowers on the lower slopes. Coppicing has been reintroduced to the wood and there is a small area of heathland.
Cuckoo’s Nook and the Dingle Local Nature Reserve
If you’re into geology, want to educate the kids or simply go on a stunning woodland walk, then a walk through Cuckoo’s Nook and the Dingle nature reserve is an absolute must! Taking you through two completely different habitats, created by two different types of soil. The same walk will also transport you across 60 million years of geological time. That’s because the reserve lies over a geological fault line, where on one side, coal measures lie near the surface, and on the other, limestone lies near the surface. This has a direct effect on the plant life that you’ll find above the soil.
Clowes Wood and New Fallings Coppice
An ancient woodland with a mix of trees, shrubs, ditches, streams, pond, a small meadow and a precious remnant of heathland. Keep an eye open on winter walks for a wide range of interesting fungi including scarlet elfcup, fly agaric (right), red-cracking bolete and shaggy scalycap that thrive in this diverse woodland. You may even be lucky to spot some strange looking slime moulds.
Sot’s Hole Local Nature Reserve
Sots Hole has over 5 hectares of some of the oldest woodland in Sandwell. The largely wet woodland supports a variety of tree species. A stream flows through the site and a small pool has recently been created. A surfaced path leads through the Reserve, linking up with other paths leading into Sandwell Valley Country Park.
Edgbaston Reservoir and Summerfield Park 5km Walk
A lovely setting for a scenic walk around the park and reservoir. Originally built in 1827 by Thomas Telford as a top-up for Birmingham’s canal system. The reservoir holds 300 million gallons and is still used for that purpose today. Follow the link for more information a map of the 5km walking route.
Northycote Farm and Country Park
There are many informal walks through the woodland and opportunities to view or photograph a wide variety of wildlife, in their natural habitats. Northycote Farm in Wolverhampton is home to a Tudor farmhouse which is steeped in history. The farmhouse itself is not always open to the public, but throughout the year it is opened to the public for tours and other events.
Leasowes Park Walk
The Leasowes is a historic landscape in Dudley, listed as Grade 1 on the English Heritage list of parks and Gardens of historic interest in England. Covering 141 acres of land with surfaced footpaths to follow, its easy to enjoy a leisurely stroll at the Leasowes. The beautiful park features woodland, grassland, streams, waterfalls and large ponds with plentiful variety of wildlife. Hunt for dragonflies, toads, kingfisher and newts in the wetland areas and woodpeckers, tawny owls and badgers in the woodland.
Kings Heath Park
The first urban park in Birmingham to achieve Green Flag status. Kings Heath Park covers around 35 acres of land with facilities including a tea room, a bowling green, a plant nursery and two playgrounds. Offering a seasonal programme comprising of outdoor fun events for families, craft activities, guided walks, practical conservation days and training courses.
Eastside City Park
Eastside City Park is a 6.75 acre urban park in Birmingham city centre. The park has over 14,000 square metres of landscaped green space, hundreds of trees, a large canal water feature and a public square with jet fountains.
Handsworth Park
Handsworth Park has over 63 acres of landscaped grass slopes. With flower beds, mature trees, shrubs, and plenty of wildlife. Handsworth Leisure Centre is based in the park. There is also a boating lake, with rowing boats available to hire and 2 play areas for the children to enjoy. The Ranger Service offers a wide range of activities and events such as nature walks, practical conservation activities and general activities with play centres and community groups.
Malvern and Brueton Park
Two parks in one, located right in the centre of Solihull. With a modern playground, which also has the all-time favourite swings and roundabouts, this delightful open space has so much going on. With plenty of variety to enjoy a day out, the parks offer: a dedicated picnic spot, Brueton Tree Trail, free car parking, nature reserve and woodlands, ornamental gardens, ornamental lake, Parkridge Café, sensory garden, tennis courts and walking trails.